Tom LaBonge, who represented L.A.’s 4th District from 2001 to 2015, died on Thursday, Jan. 7 at his Silverlake home. He was 67.
LaBonge is being remembered for a life of dedication to the city he loved. His passion and familiarity with L.A. culture and history had earned him the nickname “Mr. Los Angeles.”
Before joining the Council, he was Director of Community Relations at the Department of Water and Power and Special Assistant to Mayor Richard Riordan. Even after he retired from public office in 2015, he remained a champion of preservation efforts in the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park.
“From the revitalization of Hollywood to the preservation of Silver Lake, there was no better friend or partner I ever had,” said L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. “No one knew more Angelenos, no person gave more waking hours to our city, no one was a greater cheerleader for our town than Tom.”
Read more about LaBonge’s life and passing at the Los Angeles Times.