Kozono, Gary Wayne, a resident of Oakland, Calif., passed away on July 31, 2010 at the age of 57.

Gary was born in Sacramento and was raised on the family farm in West Sacramento. After completing Marshall High School, he attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Sociology. Since then, he had worked in the hotel and restaurant industry in San Francisco for 34 years, most recently as a banquet waiter at the Four Seasons Hotel.

In addition to working in the industry, Gary was a respected leader and activist in Local 2 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. He served as a shop steward and as a long-standing member of Local 2’s Executive Committee and Contract Negotiating Committee. This past year, he sorely missed walking picket lines, attending rallies, and chronicling those events with his camera.

Gary loved to cook, share good wine, and listen to a wide array of music. His most recent passion was working on his golf game. But above all, Gary was a devoted father and husband, a loving son, brother and uncle, and loyal friend to many.

Gary leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Marlene Tonai; children Brian and Jamie, father Ard Aven Kozono of Sacramento, brother Don Kozono of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and sister Patty Mackenroth of Mountain View, Calif.

A memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the non-profit organization of your choice.