Bo Mazzetti, chairman of Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, dies of cancer at 77
Bo Mazzetti Photo courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff s Office San Diego County leaders shared their condolences Friday on learning of the death of Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of Luise o Indians Mazzetti died Thursday of cancer and was comforted by his family in his final moments Rincon officers announced in a news release Mazzetti following his father s example was elected tribal chairman a role he held for years He served in numerous other posts both on the reservation and in the greater region and was a founder of the Southern California Tribal Chairman s Association He was also a U S Navy veteran who fought in the Vietnam War San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond described Mazzetti in a social media post as truly larger than life a visionary leader a devoted advocate for his people and a remarkable human being San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez called him a friend and mentor I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chairman Bo Mazzetti a dedicated leader whose contributions to the Rincon Band of Luise o Indians and Native communities across California spanned decades His leadership vision and commitment to tribal sovereignty left a lasting pic twitter com ld Jo gVD Brian W Jones SenBrianJones May He was committed to making a difference not only for the tribe but for the Valley Center and San Diego communities she stated in a report His impact was immeasurable He never failed to have a smile and quick wit His kindness and love shined brightly and I will miss him deeply Mazzetti s path to organization began early After attending Orange Glen High School in Escondido he joined the Navy and after Vietnam continued his tuition at California Polytechnic University graduating with a bachelor s degree in behavioral science After college he worked as the San Diego County Indian Affairs officer and during that time he established the local tribal chairman s association and then later the statewide Tribal Chairman s Association Bo Mazzetti was truly larger than life a visionary leader a devoted advocate for his people and a remarkable human being His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched and the positive impact he made on the Rincon Tribe and our entire region Supervisor Jim Desmond jim desmond May After leaving the county he obtained his general contractor s and engineering license and ran his own company but eventually transitioned back to Indian issues and became the Roads Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs In the last scarce years he served as president of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority a coalition of five tribes that won a -year-long lawsuit to regain tribal water rights State Sen Brian W Jones R-Santee praised Mazzetti for working tirelessly to ensure that Native organization members received the recognition and respect they deserved Our city extends heartfelt condolences to the Rincon Band of Luise o Indians on the passing of their legendary Chairman Bo Mazzetti A remarkable leader he devoted his talents to serving his people and all California tribes I will miss him deeply Godspeed Mr Chairman pic twitter com Q lxaxQIJT Todd Gloria ToddGloria May Chairman Mazzetti was a passionate advocate for various types of regulation to better tribal communities especially when it came to keeping them safe Jones continued in a social media post We worked together to keep sexual predators away from reservations and nearby areas I will reliably remember his unwavering dedication to the safety of his people San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria remembered him as a remarkable leader adding that Mazzetti devoted his talents to serving his people and all California tribes I will miss him deeply The Rincon band grew in stature and influence throughout the state while providing for thecare and protection of its tribal members under Mazzetti s stewardship leaders announced The Tribe also owns Harrah s Resort Southern California on the Rincon Reservation in Valley Center and uses profits from the casino and other commercial enterprises to provide governing body services on the reservation along with supporting jobs and making charitable donations to the greater regional area Mazzetti is survived by his wife Mary daughter Emily and son Joseph Services are pending
