Sonora, CA — Steve Szalay, who spent four decades devoted to public service, including time in Tuolumne County, was recognized by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors.
The county leaders approved a resolution today following his recent passing. Szalay was in the local leadership role during the eighties and early nineties.
He also served in executive capacities in other counties like Alameda and Sacramento, and he was a past Executive Director for the California State Association of Counties. He also made enduring contributions to the California State Parks, and was a leader in advancing its long-term strategic planning initiatives.
Later in life, around 2009, he was instrumental in the creation of the California State Railroad Museum Advisory Committee and was a devoted docent with the California State Railroad Museum.
Today’s resolution was at the recommendation of District Five Supervisor Jaron Brandon.
Brandon told the story, “I met Steve Szalay a while back when I was first getting acquainted with the California State Rail Museum Foundation. I sit on their board of directors. He said, “What do you know, I was the first CAO of Tuolumne County.’”
He told Brandon, ‘I was there governing the county when they first created the manager-council system as a requirement.’”
Brandon says that Szalaly was one of the most “humble” and “service-oriented” people he has ever met.
The county resolution in Szalaly’s honor states that he “exemplified integrity, dedication, mentorship, and a deep commitment to both his community and the State of California.”
He was also an avid baseball enthusiast, supporting the Oakland A’s and Sacramento Rivercats, and enjoyed valuable time with his family, traveling throughout the country.
Additional details surrounding his passing were not immediately released.
