Richard Mazza | |
---|---|
![]() Mazza in 2019 | |
Member of the
Vermont Senate from the Grand Isle district | |
In office January 9, 1985 – April 8, 2024 | |
Preceded by | George Coy |
Succeeded by | Andy Julow |
Member of the
Vermont House of Representatives from the 14-3 district | |
In office January 3, 1973 – January 4, 1977 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Mazza |
Succeeded by | Theresa Feeley |
Personal details | |
Born | Richard Thomas Mazza September 4, 1939 Colchester, Vermont, U.S. |
Died | May 25, 2024 Colchester, Vermont, U.S. [1] | (aged 84)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Dorothy Darling Hinds |
Children | 2 |
Richard Thomas Mazza (September 4, 1939 – May 25, 2024) was an American businessman and politician from Vermont. A Democrat, he served as a member of the Vermont Senate from 1985 until 2024, making him the body's dean, or longest-serving member. Mazza represented the Chittenden-Grand Isle district, which includes the town of Colchester in Chittenden County and all of Grand Isle County. [2]
Mazza was born on September 4, 1939, and was a lifelong resident of Colchester. [3] He was educated in the public schools of Colchester and graduated from Winooski High School. [3]
Mazza was the owner and operator of Dick Mazza's General Store in Colchester. [3] His civic memberships included being a member of the Champlain Valley Fair board of directors and president of the Colchester Senior Citizens Housing Project. [3]
Mazza served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977, succeeding his father Joseph, [4] and was a member of the Transportation Committee and the Legislative Council Committee. [3]
In 1984, Mazza was elected to the Vermont Senate. He was reelected every two years through 2022, and served continuously from 1985 until his 2024 resignation. [3] From 1991 until 2024, he served on the Transportation Committee, including terms as chairman. [3] He also served on the Institutions Committee from 1991 until 2024, including terms as vice chairman. [3]
Mazza was a member of the legislature's Joint Transportation Oversight Committee, including terms as chairman. [3] From 1997 until 2024, he was the third member of the Senate's Committee on Committees. [3] The Committee on Committees includes the lieutenant governor, senate president, and a third member chosen by the full senate, and is responsible for committee assignments and assignment of chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and clerks. [3]
On April 8, 2024, Mazza announced his resignation from office, to take effect the same day, citing health concerns as the reason for his departure. [5] He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the year prior. [4]
Mazza was married to the former Dorothy D. Hinds. [3] They were the parents of one son and one daughter, and the grandparents of four. [3]
Mazza died of pancreatic cancer [6] on May 25, 2024, at the age of 84. [7]
Richard Mazza | |
---|---|
![]() Mazza in 2019 | |
Member of the
Vermont Senate from the Grand Isle district | |
In office January 9, 1985 – April 8, 2024 | |
Preceded by | George Coy |
Succeeded by | Andy Julow |
Member of the
Vermont House of Representatives from the 14-3 district | |
In office January 3, 1973 – January 4, 1977 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Mazza |
Succeeded by | Theresa Feeley |
Personal details | |
Born | Richard Thomas Mazza September 4, 1939 Colchester, Vermont, U.S. |
Died | May 25, 2024 Colchester, Vermont, U.S. [1] | (aged 84)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Dorothy Darling Hinds |
Children | 2 |
Richard Thomas Mazza (September 4, 1939 – May 25, 2024) was an American businessman and politician from Vermont. A Democrat, he served as a member of the Vermont Senate from 1985 until 2024, making him the body's dean, or longest-serving member. Mazza represented the Chittenden-Grand Isle district, which includes the town of Colchester in Chittenden County and all of Grand Isle County. [2]
Mazza was born on September 4, 1939, and was a lifelong resident of Colchester. [3] He was educated in the public schools of Colchester and graduated from Winooski High School. [3]
Mazza was the owner and operator of Dick Mazza's General Store in Colchester. [3] His civic memberships included being a member of the Champlain Valley Fair board of directors and president of the Colchester Senior Citizens Housing Project. [3]
Mazza served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977, succeeding his father Joseph, [4] and was a member of the Transportation Committee and the Legislative Council Committee. [3]
In 1984, Mazza was elected to the Vermont Senate. He was reelected every two years through 2022, and served continuously from 1985 until his 2024 resignation. [3] From 1991 until 2024, he served on the Transportation Committee, including terms as chairman. [3] He also served on the Institutions Committee from 1991 until 2024, including terms as vice chairman. [3]
Mazza was a member of the legislature's Joint Transportation Oversight Committee, including terms as chairman. [3] From 1997 until 2024, he was the third member of the Senate's Committee on Committees. [3] The Committee on Committees includes the lieutenant governor, senate president, and a third member chosen by the full senate, and is responsible for committee assignments and assignment of chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and clerks. [3]
On April 8, 2024, Mazza announced his resignation from office, to take effect the same day, citing health concerns as the reason for his departure. [5] He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the year prior. [4]
Mazza was married to the former Dorothy D. Hinds. [3] They were the parents of one son and one daughter, and the grandparents of four. [3]
Mazza died of pancreatic cancer [6] on May 25, 2024, at the age of 84. [7]