Gary Podesto, a two-term Stockton mayor who also served with distinction for eight years on University of the Pacific’s Board of Regents, died June 29 in Bozeman, Montana, where he lived with his wife Janice for the past few years. He was 81.

Podesto was a regent from 1993 through 2001 and mayor from 1997 to 2005. He tackled the roles the way he did everything in his life, said Pacific President  Emeritus Donald DeRosa.

“I remember Gary for his honesty, for always being straightforward and for never pulling any punches,” said DeRosa, Pacific president from 1995-2009. “He never talked down about anybody or was negative with them. I appreciated that about him. Gary was a very good regent, and I valued his counsel and his leadership.”

Since 1994, Pacific has annually presented the Podesto Family Award for Excellence in Student Life Mentoring and Counseling.

Podesto was a regent when the board made the decision to suspend football in 1995. That was hard for Podesto, he often noted, due to his background in the sport.

Duane Isetti ’62, ’65, who played football at Pacific and later was a successful university fundraiser, played in the same backfield with Podesto at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton. They also served together on Stockton City Council—with Podesto as mayor—and had a life-long friendship.

“Our association started on the high school football field and continued into our lives of work and service on the council,” Isetti said. “Nobody worked harder for the people of Stockton than Gary. He could put politics aside and work for all Stocktonians.”

Prior to his election, Podesto was a success in business, running the local Food 4 Less grocery stores. Those stores now are employee-owned and Podesto’s son, Chris, serves as general manager.

DeRosa said Podesto worked diligently to strengthen the bond between Pacific and the City of Stockton.

“He was the son of Stockton and had a warm spot in his heart for the people of the city,” DeRosa said.

Added current Mayor Kevin Lincoln in a statement: "His steadfast service to our community will forever be remembered and appreciated."

Podesto is survived by his wife Janice—whom he met when they were students at St. Mary’s High School—children Kelly, Chris and Brent, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family is planning a private ceremony.