Council Pays Tribute to ‘a Father’

With a black shroud covering his chair and the Los Angeles City Council chambers packed for the occasion, John Ferraro was remembered Wednesday for his warmth, political savvy and humor.

In an emotional tribute a day after his death, officials recalled Ferraro’s 35-year career on the council, sometimes with tears, but often with humor.

He was cited for his work on the 1984 Olympics and improving the Los Angeles Zoo. Mayor Richard Riordan and others praised Ferraro as a strong and steadying force who brought civility to the debate of government.

“You were the heart, the soul of our city of Los Angeles,” Riordan said as a giant photograph of Ferraro was shown on a large-screen television. “John Ferraro’s life was a life of giving, giving to the people of Los Angeles, giving to the people of his district.”

Ferraro was 76 when he died Tuesday at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica after a two-year battle with cancer. Family members, including sisters Rose Mercadante and Mary Busciglio, attended Wednesday’s tribute, which will be followed by a visitation at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and funeral at 10 a.m. Monday, both at St. Brendan Church, 310 S. Van Ness Ave.

Joining 12 current council members Wednesday were former members Roz Wyman, Joy Picus, Art Snyder, Richard Alatorre, Zev Yaroslavsky, Ed Edelman, Michael Woo and Robert Wilkinson.

Police Chief Bernard Parks, Fire Chief William Bamattre, City Atty. James Hahn and other city department heads also attended the two-hour tribute.

“He has served the city so well for so many years as a moderating voice, a person everyone could work with, and who has contributed so much to the well-being of this city,” said Edelman, who is also a former county supervisor.

Added Picus: “What is so remarkable about John was he has always worn the mantle of power both gracefully and graciously. His wit and fairness are truly legendary.”

African American council members Mark Ridley-Thomas and Nate Holden recalled that when they were first elected, Ferraro, who was Italian American, broke the ice by introducing himself as chairman of the council’s “black caucus.”

Recalled Councilman Mike Hernandez: “John Ferraro’s favorite line to me was, ‘Us Latinos have to stick together.’ I think part of his reasoning is he knew us better than some of us knew each other.”

Hernandez was near tears when he said he considered Ferraro to be like a father, while Councilman Rudy Svorinich Jr. said Ferraro was a “padrino”--godfather--who took him under his wing.

Others recalled with humor some of Ferraro’s parliamentary tricks that helped him get things done in the face of opposition when charm failed.

Holden recalled one key vote in which he was the lone dissenter, and by voting “no” Holden delayed final approval. He was doing an interview with a reporter afterward and Ferraro, he said, urged him to take the interview out in the hallway. As soon as Holden was outside the council chamber, Ferraro called for a new vote and the measure passed unanimously, Holden recalled.

“We can go on for weeks telling John Ferraro stories,” Councilwoman Ruth Galanter said. “Besides being a wonderful human being, let’s not forget that John Ferraro was a really slick pol.”

Others told stories of his fervent devotion to USC, where he played football, and several of his colleagues praised Ferraro for his dedication to his wife, Margaret, who died after years of debilitating illness.

For several, Ferraro’s death was especially unsettling coming at a time of great change in Los Angeles, where voters this year are electing a new mayor, city attorney, city controller and six new council members.

Councilman Alex Padilla, who was elected two years ago, worried about the loss of experienced leaders such as Ferraro, who he said helped him learn the ropes at City Hall.

Alatorre agreed, saying, “He was a big man in stature but he was a bigger man as a human being. This city has lost a great man.”

Meanwhile, Ferraro’s death automatically elevated Galanter to the council president position pending a new election by the council, according to City Clerk Mike Carey.

He said Galanter will very likely appoint Chief Legislative Analyst Ron Deaton as a caretaker to run Ferraro’s office until a special election, possibly in mid-August, can be held to fill the 4th District seat.