Obituary: Longtime Glendale parks official, 70, dies

Former Glendale Parks and Recreation Director Henry R. Agonia died on Jan. 18 in Sacramento, according to an announcement from the city on Thursday. He was 70 years old.

Born in Garden Grove on May 20, 1942, Agonia had a passion for public service and protecting local parks. He started his career as a part-time park worker for the city of Garden Grove and worked as an employee with the city of Fountain Valley in the 1960s.

In 1971, Agonia began his lengthy career with the city of Glendale. He was eventually named Director of Parks and Recreation for the city, a post he held until leaving in 1987, when he was appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian to work for the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene, their three children and eight grandchildren, according to the city.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento. For more information about the service, or to view his obituary, visit www.eastlawn.com.

-- Josh Cox, Times Community News