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]
Richard Mazza | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 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 (aged 84) Colchester, Vermont, U.S.[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dorothy Darling Hinds |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and career
editMazza 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]
Political career
editMazza 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]
Personal life
editMazza 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]
References
edit- ^ Ruehsen, Ella (2024-05-29). "Former Sen. Dick Mazza dies at 84 after dedicating decades of service to Vermonters". Milton Independent. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- ^ "Bove's Build Milton Sauce Plant". burlingtonfreepress.com. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Biography, Richard Mazza". Legislature.vermont.gov. Vermont General Assembly. 2017. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ a b Heintz, Paul (2024-02-13). "'It's certainly been a good run': Dick Mazza, dean of the Vermont Senate, isn't ready to call it quits". VTDigger. Archived from the original on 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Statement from Governor Phil Scott on the Resignation of Senator Richard T. Mazza | Office of Governor Phil Scott". governor.vermont.gov. Archived from the original on 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ McCallum, Kevin. "Obituary: Richard T. Mazza, 1939-2024". Seven Days. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- ^ Team, WCAX News (2024-05-26). "Longtime Vermont Senator Richard Mazza of Colchester passed away Saturday". WCAX. Archived from the original on 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-26.