Santa Fe Springs City Council Looks to Replace Late Member

SANTA FE SPRINGS —  The City Council is expected to discuss Monday how to replace Councilman Lorenzo (Larry) Sandoval, who died of a heart attack last weekend while visiting relatives in New Mexico. He was 74.

City Manager Don Powell said the council can either appoint a replacement or call a special election to fill the remaining two years of Sandoval’s term. The council will meet in regular session Monday night.

Sandoval joined the council in 1985, when he was appointed to finish the term of Armando Mora, who had died in office. Sandoval won reelection in 1988. That year he also was mayor.

Before joining the council, Sandoval spent eight years on the city’s Planning Commission. He worked for 32 years as a teacher and administrator in the El Rancho Unified School District. A native of New Mexico, he had lived in Santa Fe Springs for 35 years.

“He cherished the city, really,” Powell said. “What a gentle, kind person he was.”

Powell added that Sandoval was a strong advocate for the city’s park and school systems.

“You never heard anyone say anything bad about Larry,” he said, “even if they were on the other side. They couldn’t help but like him as a person. He did everything as a combination of heart and brain. He did not come from a position of ego.”

Sandoval suffered a heart attack about six months ago but had apparently recovered, friends said. A recurrence of chest discomfort prompted his doctor to recommend that Sandoval fly rather than drive to New Mexico, advice that Sandoval heeded, Powell said.

Funeral services were held Thursday at St. Pius X Church in Santa Fe Springs.

Sandoval earned a master’s degree in school administration from Cal State Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and five adult children.