Politics & Government

Memorial Service for PQ Town Council's Gary Pehaim on Saturday

Gary Pehaim, who had served as the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council's treasurer, died on Christmas Day.

The Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council is mourning the loss of one of its members, treasurer Gary Pehaim, who died on Christmas Day after a long illness. A public memorial service will be held for Pehaim at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd., Poway.

The Council posted the following message about Pehaim on its website:

We are sad to announce that Gary Pehaim, our Town Council treasurer and good friend, passed away on Christmas Day (...) Mrs. Pehaim plans to have an ‘open pulpit’ service so that anyone who wishes may share memories or stories of their life experiences with Gary. Words cannot express the loss. Gary was truly one-of-a-kind and one of the best people I have ever known.

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The Pehaim family also shared the following obituary:

Gary Michael Pehaim passed away peacefully in his home on Dec. 25, 2011, after a long illness. He was born on May 17, 1951, in Rahway, NJ, to George and Mary Pehaim. In grade school, the family moved to Garden Grove, CA, where he graduated from Santiago High School in 1969. After a few years of post-high school shenanigans in both Garden Grove and Staten Island, NY, he met the love of his life, Liz, in December of 1973, determining to marry her the day he met her. Gary and Liz were married on Dec. 1, 1974, and were married for the 37 years until his death.

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Gary was the loving father of two girls, Jennifer (Sean) Meckel and Heather Pehaim, and the proud grandfather of Alexander Pehaim, 5 1⁄2.

Gary took great pride in his outstanding work ethic. He began working as an insurance agent for a dear family friend in January of 1974. He started a company with his friend Ken Snipper in 1993. Pehaim & Snipper Insurance Services, Inc., continued to be his life’s work for the next 18 years until his passing. Gary was a 29-year resident of Rancho Peñasquitos and was a valued member of the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council, serving several terms. He also was a member of the Golden Triangle Lion’s Club.

Gary loved all things to do with NASCAR and could often be seen wearing a #48 Jimmy Johnson hat. He loved to travel, going on cruises and road trips in this country and abroad, thoroughly enjoying photographing everything. He loved sharing the world with his daughters. Both he and Liz frequented garage, rummage, and estate sales, always hunting down the perfect bargain or unique item.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Pehaim, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Besides his wife Liz, his daughters Jennifer (Sean) and Heather, and his grandson Alexander, he also leaves behind his sister Kathleen Pehaim (Daniel) Odor, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a great deal of friends, colleagues, and associates who will all miss the input, advice, dry humor, and sarcasm that were offered on a daily basis.

Services are being held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, Poway, CA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, the American Heart Association, and/or the American Diabetes Association in his name.

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