Council honors life, service of late Gary Izo

Avon Lake City Council members remembered their former colleague Gary Izo, who passed away Nov. 21 after battling cancer.

Upbeat, passionate and enthusiastic were a few of the words used to describe the former Ward 3 councilman, who resigned in September due to health reasons.

According to an obituary, Izo, 71, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two weeks after being sworn in to Avon Lake City Council in January.

Elected in November 2019, Izo showed his commitment to the people of Avon Lake in his warm and i nquisitive approach to serving the community, his former colleagues said.

Ward 4 Councilman David Kos said Izo was a true gentleman and called his excitement almost “little boy like.”

“When he was running for council, he was so excited to be pursuing that position to learn that position, to sit down with the department heads and with his constituents,” Kos said. “He really had so much that he was prepared to give the community, and it’s just terribly sad that he’s gone way too early.

“And I wish nothing but the absolute best for his wife, Ann, and their family.”

Ward 2 Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch remembered Izo for his role in taking charge of Avon Lake Council Sewer Committee and his willingness to learn and devour information to better serve the residents.

“He was just the most humble guy; knew a lot, and very, very humble and so enthusiastic and he talked about how much he loved going door-to- door and meeting the residents in Ward 3, but taking on the responsibilities of the entire city through the Sewer Committee,” Fenderbosch said.

Izo was a passionate supporter of the arts and the important role he played on council in bringing his depth of experience within the federal government, she said.

After serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand, Izo spent his career working in the federal prison system and the U.S. Department of Justice.

He retired in 1999. In speaking with Izo’s family, Fenderbosch added that he didn’t want people to mourn him, but to go on living, and doing so with a smile on your face.

Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka only met Izo about eight years ago, but discovered they both hailed from the same neighborhood in Lakewood.

Zilka said it was an honor to have known Izo.

“Locally, he was very concerned about the downtrodden and those who are disadvantaged he had real compassion for those who didn’t get a break in life and is always passionate about working to help people who need help,” the mayor said. “So, we’re going to miss him.”

In addition to chairing the Sewer Committee, Izo was assigned to the Economic Development Committee, Natural Resources, Environmental and Public Media Committee, and Walker Road Ad Hoc Committee.

Prior to joining Council, Izo served on the Avon Lake Zoning Board of Appeals from March 28, 2018, until the end of 2019 after he was elected to Council.

Izo was an active member of the 2019 Comprehensive Land Use Plan’s Strategic Team and an active participate in the 2020 Land Use Implementation Planning Team until his illness forced him to step down.

Izo