By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2026 (San Diego) – CalAware Founder and open government champion Joseph Terrence “Terry” Francke died December 24 with his wife, Carolyn “Muffy” Francke at his side. As cofounder and long-time general counsel of Californians Aware (CalAware), Francke fought for the rights of the public and press to access information, court actions and public meetings of government bodies.His legal advice led to numerous reforms across California, including interventions that led to improved public access at boards and agencies in San Diego and East County.

He also served as general counsel to the First Amendment Coalition and as legal counsel for the  California Newspaper Publishers Association, as well as a newspaper editor, school district information officer, and public affairs officer for the U.S. Marines.

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, an expert on fire safety and author of East County Magazine’s “From the Chief’s Corner” column, died on December 31^st days after suffering a medical emergency. 

Source:  San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen

December 17, 2025 (San Diego) - Retired longtime San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister passed away earlier this morning. Mr. McAllister served as San Diego County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector for twenty-three years, before retiring in August 2025.

By Karen Pearlman, with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery

Oct. 26, 2025 (East County) --  One of the original champions for First Nation independence through gaming on Native American reservations in California, Daniel  "Danny"  Tucker, longtime leader and tribal member of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, has passed away.

Tucker, born Feb. 5, 1952 at Mercy Hospital, died Friday, Oct. 24 due to complications from diabetes, at the home he shared with his wife, Lori, in El Cajon.

Story and photos by Karen Pearlman

Oct. 21, 2025 (Santee) – Making others happy was something Mary Hennessy did naturally, with no holds – or holes – barred.

As founder and owner of the iconic Mary’s Donuts in Santee, Hennessy sprinkled joy to others – and not just by way of diverse donut toppings, fruity fritter fillings and cinnamon-dusted donut holes, but also through her generous spirit, spreading positivity through acts of kindness and by virtue of making connections.

Mary Hennessy loved interacting with people. chatting with customers, helping behind the counter and especially seeing children come in.

“Handing out stickers to kids was one of her small joys,” said her granddaughter, Kelly Hennessy.

And she did it all for nearly 95 years.

Born Mary Churchill in the small farming town of Dexter, Minn., on May 3, 1931, Hennessy died at her La Mesa home on Oct. 19, 2025, surrounded by family members.

By Karen Pearlman

June 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – Leaving behind a legacy of service, prolific leadership and unwavering commitment to civic matters, longtime La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid has passed away at age 90.

His leadership shaped the city, earning admiration and respect from residents, businesses and civic leaders around the region and across the country.

He passed away in his home in La Mesa on Friday, June 6, according to his daughter, Lisa Madrid.

Madrid was elected to public office in La Mesa six times, including two terms as a City Council member from 1981-1990 and four terms as mayor, leading the city from 1991-2014, including during the city's centennial celebration in 2012. He previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a stint in Korea, then spent 35 years working for Pacific Bell before entering politics.

By Karen Pearlman     

Photo,left: Bob Filner on Election Night 2012, when he won election as San Diego Mayor

(April 28, 2025) San Diego -- Bob Filner, who served as San Diego’s 35^th mayor and as Congressman representing San Diego and border regions in East County, died April 20. He was 82. 

A fierce advocate for civil rights, his decades-long career in public service was marked by notable accomplishments and controversy,culminating in his resignation from the mayor’s office amid a scandal of multiple allegations of sexual harassment. He later pled guilty to charges of false imprisonment and battery.

Yet throughout his life, he remained a passionate, sometimes combative, champion for the underdog and fierce advocate for civil rights.

East County News Service

December 31, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - Our region lost civic leaders and luminaries this year in fields including a basketball superstar, an astronaut, a famous architect, a retired Sheriff’s deputy and Chamber of Commerce chairman, a World War veteran, an HVAC industry leader, a noted philanthropist, a former college president, a retired teacher, an engineer and newscaster, a political party chairwoman and a community theatre cofounder.  They are gone but not forgotten, leaving lasting legacies and memories.

Read more about their remarkable lives below; each title links to a full obituary.

Celebration of Life to be held December 28 in  La Mesa

By Ben Perez

Photo of Jim Wieboldt and his pug, Frank The Felon,  courtesy Amanda Allsberry

December 12, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A respected deputy in the San Diego County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit for more than a dozen years, James “Jim” Warren Wieboldt was much more than just an officer of the law. Wiebolt was a civic and business community leader, serving as founding chairman of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the city’s Parking Commission, and Chair of the La Mesa Centennial Project’s Events and Calendar Committee. He was also active in the La Mesa Village Merchants Association.

Wieboldt died of an unknown cause at his home in Fallon, Nev., on Dec. 7. He was 67.

Guided by faith and spending countless hours as a youth pastor in East County, he was a father figure to countless children and young adults through the years and a devoted parent to the three biological children he raised  in La Mesa with his wife of 42 years and high school sweetheart, Kelly, who preceded him in death four years ago.

Celebration of Life set for October 26

October 7, 2024 (Santee) -- Bob Schulze, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack on August 30, 2024. Born June 23, 1966 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, Bob moved to California at the age of three, living in Garden Grove and spending most of his adult life in Santee.  

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1984 to 1987 and dedicated over 30 years to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from which he recently retired. He was passionate about keeping his country safe and prosperous, serving both at home and abroad.

Bob’s true passions extended beyond his professional career. He was a gifted singer and actor, with a love for the stage and making people laugh. Bob was the co-founder of Off Broadway Live musical theater in Santee, where his larger-than-life personality, joy for entertaining, and bringing smiles to others was a gift he shared with all.

East County News Service

July 17, 2024 (San Diego) – Rebecca “Becca” Taylor, Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, has died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Utah.  She was returning home from a trip when she was hit from behind.

Acting Chair Kyle Krahel-Frolander issued a statement which reads in part: ”Becca made an incalculable impact on so many and moved San Diego toward a brighter future. She was more than just a leader, she was a public servant. Becca was a Navy veteran, an advocate for victims of sexual assault, a member of the OB Town Council,and a volunteer finding resources for asylum seekers. She embodied the best of us.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Miriam Raftery:  Left, Bill Walton at La Mesa's centennial in 2012; right, Walton at La Mesa Boys & Girls Club in 2014

May 27, 2024 (La Mesa)—NBA Hall of Famer and former Helix High School superstar  Bill Walton, 71, died this morning surrounded by his family after a prolonged battle with cancer. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Walton later became an award-winning sportscaster. But he also won hearts and minds in the La Mesa community through his philanthropic efforts, including raising millions of dollars to build the Bill Walton Gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Club in La Mesa, where he was mentored in his youth.

NBA Commission Adam Silver issued a statement recalling Walton as “truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50^th and 75^th Anniversary Teams.”  As a broadcaster, Walton overcame lifelong stuttering to deliver “insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans,” said Silver.

He added,  “What I will remember most about him was his zest for life.  He was a regular presence at league events—always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth.” Silver said that he envied Walton’s “boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”

Born November 5, 1952,  Walton developed an early love for sports.  As a boy, he watched the San Diego Chargers play at Sunset Park near Lake Murray.  “I saw all those guys and I dreamed,” he said in a speech at a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club gymnasium that now bears his name.