Richard H. Lacy

Lacy built a home with his wife in 1908 along the border of San Gabriel and South Pasadena. The house was on the San Gabriel side, which eventually incorporated as San Marino five years later. Richard Lacy was an early pioneer of San Marino, serving as a city councilman at the city's founding in 1913.^[2] Lacy remained on the city council for 29 years under mayors George S. Patton and William L. Valentine.^[2]

As city councilman, Lacy oversaw the founding of the San Marino Fire Department in 1923. This included a voter initiative to purchase a fire engine, leading to the city's first bond offering. As Mayor, Lacy was noted as a particularly frequent user of the fire department's services at his home.^[3]

Lacy's term as mayor began when mayor George S. Patton stepped down for the second and final time.^[1][2] Lacy continued his role as a member of the city council while mayor.^[2]

Mayor Lacy oversaw the draining of Wilson Lake, which had degraded from a proper lake into a mosquito-infested marsh.^[4][5] The surrounding area became Lacy Park, named in Lacy's honor.^[2][4][5]

Lacy's health began deteriorating in 1942, leading to his resignation as mayor on January 14, 1942.^[2] His public appearances became increasingly sporadic, the last occurring in June 1945, as a welcoming party for General George S. Patton, native of San Marino and son of Lacy's longtime colleague Mayor Patton.^[2] Lacy died shortly thereafter on July 3, 1945, at nearby Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.^[2]

Lacy married Maud Sullivan, his first cousin, in 1893 in San Gabriel. Maud and Richard had five daughters and one son, which they raised at their home in San Marino.^[2] Maud died of breast cancer in January 1940, age 68.

Maud and Richard's only son, Richard William Lacy, died in 1927, age 33.^[2]

Richard Lacy is buried at his family's plot in San Gabriel.^[2]