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Historian, first woman mayor Patricia Gazin passes away
by Robb Fulcher
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Former Hermosa Mayor Pat Gazin, in a 1992 photograph, holding her history of Hermosa Beach. Photo by Kevin Cody |
Patricia A. Gazin, the city’s first female mayor and author of the definitive Hermosa history book "Footnotes on the Sand," died Tuesday afternoon of complications from diabetes. She was 76.
"She was a lively pepper pot and a boon companion. I’ll miss her," said 83-year-old Jack Belasco, who was swept onto the council along with Gazin and John de Groot in a 1959 recall vote that ousted three incumbents.
Gazin served a second term on the council as well, becoming mayor as that position rotated from member to member. She was instrumental in moving City Hall from its former location on Hermosa Avenue, and squelching plans for an amusement complex on the beach.
She provided the swing vote to establish the local branch of the Los Angeles County Library, and was a founding member of the Friends of the Library fund-raising organization that continues to flourish.
"That was her official passion. She raised money and got that started," Belasco said.
Gazin joined the recall effort that brought her into office to fight plans for a circular pier with amusement facilities and restaurants, Belasco said. The rise of Gazin, Belasco and de Groot signaled "an end to the old boys’ way of doing things," Belasco said. "We were glad to see her there" as a female presence on the council, he said.
"She was very opinionated, you always knew exactly what she thought," Belasco said.
"She objected to pipes, and I smoked a pipe. She came up with an air deodorizer to put between us when we sat on the council. I haven’t smoked in 25 years and now I find pipes very offensive, so she was right. I should have listened to her and stopped 40 years ago," he said.
"We had occasional set-to’s, but she was fun," Belasco said.
Her 1991 book "Footnotes on the Sand" set a standard with its thoroughness and care, local historian John Hales said. Gazin also wrote "Castles on the Sand," a photo-heavy volume about old houses, most of which are no longer standing, Hales said.
Gazin is survived by her husband of 51 years, Myron Gazin, daughter Catherine and son Gergory. A memorial service had not been set by press time. Gazin’s ashes will be spread at sea. ER