Richard Mazza

Richard Mazza
Mazza in 2019
Member of the Vermont Senate
from the Grand Isle district
In office
January 9, 1985 – April 8, 2024
Preceded byGeorge Coy
Succeeded byAndy Julow
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from the 14-3 district
In office
January 3, 1973 – January 4, 1977
Preceded byJoseph Mazza
Succeeded byTheresa Feeley
Personal details
Born
Richard Thomas Mazza

(1939-09-04)September 4, 1939
Colchester, Vermont, U.S.
DiedMay 25, 2024(2024-05-25) (aged 84)
Colchester, Vermont, U.S.[1]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDorothy Darling Hinds
Children2

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]

Early life and career

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]

Political career

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]

Personal life

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]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Bove's Build Milton Sauce Plant". burlingtonfreepress.com. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ McCallum, Kevin. "Obituary: Richard T. Mazza, 1939-2024". Seven Days. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  7. ^ 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.