HENRY J MELLO OBIT S.S.

THE POLITICAL PATRIARCH OF WATSONVILLE, AND THE PAJARO VALLEY, DIED ON SATURDAY, OF KIDNEY FAILURE. IN 1966, HENRY J MELLO WAS ELECTED TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WHERE HE SERVED FOR 8 YEARS. HE WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE ASSEMBLY IN 1976, AND THEN TO THE STATE SENATE IN 1980. HE SERVED IN THE SENATE UNTIL 1996. MELLO AUTHORED 450 BILLS THAT WERE SIGNED INTO LAW , WHILE HE WAS A STATE LEGISLATOR, AND HE CO-AUTHORED THE MELLO-ROOS ACT, WHICH PROVIDED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, AND OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. HE WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING WATSONVILLE?S HENRY J MELLO CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. MELLO IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 55 YEARS, AS WELL, AS 4 SONS, AND 3 GRANDCHILDREN. A PUBLIC MEMORIAL WILL BE HELD IN WATSONVILLE.