ASSIGNMENT: Using the notes supplied below, write a two-page, double-spaced obituary (approximately 30 lines, or 500 words).

 

Jack Green - former mayor and councilman for the City of Huntington Beach

passed away - 79 years old; Congestive heart failure.

H.B. city council: 1966 to 1974. Mayor, 1969.

Spearheaded development of extensive city park system, including 100-plus acre Central Park and City Library and Cultural Resource Center. 

Born: Altadena, 1926 on family-owned berry farm.

Joined U.S. Navy, 1944 - aircraft carrier USS Randolph.  After discharge, graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara. Met wife of 53 years (Marty), there. Degree in Political Science and began work as an insurance investigator.

Moved from Temple City to H.B. in 1961; Later had just 13,000 residents. Huntington Beach trying to change from farming and oil to bedroom community and local tourist destination with well-known surfing beach

City council faced complex issues brought on by rapid growth and development pressure. Full-time job as insurance investigator. 200,000 residents in H.B. when he became mayor.

 

==Son, Michael Green, H.B. architect (from written text supplied): Dad helped lead the city into future by establishing vision for the development of parks and beaches culminating in voter passage of hard fought bond issue to purchase and improve the Central Park area with the Central Library and Resource Center. Jack has always considered this his proudest achievement.  The park has a variety of passive and active park areas, lakes, wetlands, drought tolerant plantings and nature trails and contains the recently constructed state of the art sports complex. The park is utilized for footraces, car shows, equestrian events, fishing derbies and other popular venues The Jack Green Nature Area in the park will continue to memorialize his efforts. ==

 

Former H.B. councilman and mayor Ralph Bauer (worked closely with Green on park issue): “He brought some really modern ideas to the city. I thought a great deal of him. He was first class.”

 

In 1971 Green became executive director of the Regional Anti-Pollution Authority of Coachella Valley as the cities in that region grappled with the consequences of rapid residential growth.

 

In 1974 was first GM of the newly formed Department of Environmental Quality for the City of Los Angeles.  Managed series of controversies within the powerful L.A. Department of Planning and the local development community which wasn’t used to control. 

 

Served as President of the California League of Cities, President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG); on several state commissions appointed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan.

 

In his retirement years, Jack continued his volunteer efforts working for the Braille Institute in Los Angeles for 12 years. Participated in the Huntington Beach Adult Literacy Program.

 

Survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren. Marty, daughter Belinda Gordon and her husband, Tim, of Boise, Idaho; sons Michael Green and his wife, Barbara, of Huntington Beach; John Green and his wife, Melanie, of Wabash, Indiana; Daryl Green and his wife, Kelly, of Costa Mesa;  James Green of Huntington Beach and nine grandchildren.

 

Funeral mass - St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 16400 Springdale St., H.B., Friday.