Former Daly City Mayor Al Teglia dies

Former Daly City Mayor Albert “Al” Teglia died Sunday, according to Duggan’s Serra Mortuary. He was 83.

Known as “Mr. Daly City,” Teglia served on the Daly City City Council for five terms and served as its mayor for four terms from 1976 to 1996, according to Daly City City Manager Patricia Martel.

Prior to his work on the council, Teglia served on the Jefferson Union High School District board of trustees, beginning in 1967, Martel said:

“Albert Teglia was one of the most dedicated public servant that anyone, including myself, had the pleasure to work with both as a school board member and a member of the City Council.”

After retiring from the council, Teglia went on to serve as the legislative aide to San Mateo County Supervisor Mary Griffin, Martel said, and then worked with the San Mateo County Human Services Agency. The county’s Jobs for Youth Endowment Fund now bears his name.

Martel said:

“He was really passionate about that. … He dedicated himself to that and helping the youth in the county in a variety of ways.”

Daly City City Councilman Mike Guingona, who served with Teglia on the council, described Teglia as a “pillar” of the community and a personal mentor:

“When you run for City Council, there’s no book that tells you this is how you get it done. I had no idea who I wanted to be like. … I watched the way Al worked and the way he was able to work with diverse groups to come to a consensus and how he treated people with respect and dignity.”

Guingona said Teglia dedicated much of his life to caring for his ailing wife, Verna Mae, who died in 2006:

“He couldn’t go out at night because he took care of Verna. … As devoted as he was, he was still able to do his job.”

The son of Genoese immigrants, Teglia was born in Colma in 1931 and grew up in Daly City. He is survived by his wife, Frances Foglia-Teglia, two stepchildren, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A ceremony celebrating his life is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3 at Daly City City Hall, according Duggan’s Serra Mortuary funeral director Mark Mulholland. Mulholland said the funeral services will be private.

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