Cudahy’s Gabe Zippi Dies; City Council Split on Successor

Councilman Gabriel P. Zippi, who had battled bone marrow cancer for more than eight months, died Monday in Downey Community Hospital. He was 71.

A popular figure around town and known to many as Gabe, Zippi operated a family-owned grocery store for many years in the city. He also was a bus driver with the Cudahy Area Rapid Transit, and a code enforcement officer before retiring and running for a City Council seat in 1984.

“Practically everybody in town knew him. When he ran for office, he was a shoo-in,” said Jack Cluck, a long-time friend and president of the Senior Citizens Club, of which Zippi was an active member.

Zippi was first elected to a four-year term on the council in April, 1984. He was reelected in April, 1988. The council, which has been divided the last several months, must now decide how Zippi will be replaced. The council has 30 days to appoint a successor or call for a special election.

In interviews, two councilmen said they favor appointment, while another said he prefers an election. The fourth said he had not made up his mind.

Former Candidate Favored

Councilman Joe Graffio said he prefers appointing Joe Fregeau, who has run for the council three times and was on the city’s planning and park commissions. “Fregeau has earned it,” Graffio said. “The last time he ran he finished third (in a four-candidate race for two seats). He has served on the various commissions.”

Fregeau, who last ran in the April, 1988, election, said he would accept an appointment.

Councilman John Robertson said he also prefers to appoint a successor, but has not made up his mind on a specific candidate. “My gut feeling is, if the council can come together on a candidate, it would be healthy for the city. We would eliminate the split or 2-to-2 votes,” Robertson said.

Mayor Bill Colon said he prefers an election. “I’ve talked to 30 or 40 people, and all of them want an election,” he said.

Councilman Thomas Thurman said he has not made up his mind. “I don’t think it is something we have to rush into. We have 30 days,” he said.

He Cast Deciding Vote

Thurman said the council had become divided only recently, over issues involving the troubled Cudahy Social Service Agency. A frail Zippi last made an appearance at an Oct. 2 council meeting to tip the balance for a 3-2 majority vote to stop funding the agency.

Zippi, who was born in Los Angeles, lived in Cudahy most of his life.

Mass was celebrated Wednesday at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Bell Gardens. Burial is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. today at Calvary Cemetery, 4201 Whittier Blvd., East Los Angeles.

Zippi is survived by his wife, Thelma; 4 sons, Russell of Buena Park, Wayne of Walnut, Richard and Mark, both of White City, Ore.; 4 daughters, Barbara Zippi, Terry Ragan and Mary Zippi, all of Cudahy, Ann Marcov of Fairfax, Calif.; 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.