Former Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira dies at 79

UPDATE: A celebration of life for former Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira will be Friday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 3000 North Lompa Lane in Carson City. Teixeira died June 5, 2014. He was 79.
A reception will follow at Eagle Valley Golf Course, 3999 Centennial Park Drive in Carson City.
Teixeira served three-terms as mayor from 1989-1996 and 2005-2008. He is widely remembered for his candor, wit, and as a leader who backed such efforts as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, youth team sports, the Pony Express Pavilion, the V&T Railroad reconstruction, the Carson City freeway and helped bring businesses and jobs to the area as Carson City experienced robust growth.

Donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada.

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Former Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira, known for his candor and for being a straight-shooter when it came down to political decision making, died Thursday at his home after battling a prolonged illness. He was 79.

Those who worked with him in the political arena will likely recall him as being a man of many opinions but was always willing to listen to the voice of the people and base his decisions on what citizens wanted.

"Marv Teixeira was Carson City’s biggest cheerleader," said former Carson City Board of Supervisor Shelly Aldean. "Even if someone disagreed with his decisions as Mayor they could never doubt that he was motivated, first and foremost, by a desire to make Carson City a better place to live. He was resourceful as a leader, fiercely loyal to his friends and respectful of his colleagues. He was a good man and will be missed."

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell learned the news while the Board of Supervisors were in session. Crowell stopped the meeting briefly and then continued after a few moments, noting "Marv would want us to continue" with the business of the day.

"Marv lived and loved Carson City more than anybody I know. A big part of the quality of life that we enjoy in Carson City is because of Marv," said Crowell during the board's afternoon break.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid released the following statement late Thursday afternoon:

“Marv Teixeira was my friend and I will miss him. He often referred to Carson City as 'Nevada’s best kept secret' and he is right. But Carson City became a wonderful place to live and raise a family because of Marv and his work as Mayor.

"There is a long list of accomplishments that he achieved for Carson: the Pony Express Pavilion, the V& T Railway Reconstruction Project, and the Carson freeway. As Mayor he brought new companies and new jobs to the area. He was an outstanding public servant. He always supported me and we were able to work together on a bipartisan basis for the good of Nevada. I send my deepest condolences to his friends and family during this time.”

Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei of Carson City released the following statement:

“One of the most colorful and passionate threads of the community fabric of Carson City has finished his tenure here with us. They broke the mold when they made Marv Teixeira. His vision, influence and leadership will continue to be felt in Carson for countless generations to come. I am personally at a loss for being in a Carson City that no longer has its most dedicated citizen in residence. Thank you, Your Honor. Rest in peace, Coach.”

Former Carson City Finance Director Mary Walker said Teixeira was Carson City's champion advocate.

"He was very passionate about the city and the city was absolutely No. 1 to him. It was all about taking care of his city, the citizens and doing the right thing," she said. "He was a fine, fine man."

Richard Staub, a Carson City Board of Supervisor from 2000 to 2008 and friend of Teixeira for 30-plus years said he will always be remembered as a friend and leader.

"My condolences go out to Liz and Matt and all of his family. A father, husband and an icon of the community was lost today.

"Marv was a great man, great leader for Carson City and a mentor of mine," said Staub. "Most importantly though I think of his contributions that he made to the youth of this community, with the Boys and Girls Club, all the youth sports and programs he was involved with over the years. He will certainly be missed and his efforts unmatched by anyone else in this community."

Organizations and departments have chimed in on the passing of Teixeira, including the Carson City Chamber of Commerce which put this on its Facebook:

Our good friend and former Mayor Marv Teixeira passed from this earth today after battling a long illness. Marv was a force with which to be reckoned and "did it his way!" He was well-liked and appreciateed and knew how to make lemonade out of lemons. We will always remember his participation in the Nevada Day parade when rode his bike down Carson Street to the cheering of crowds. He believed in being about town to listen to the residents. He was a true Carson City "character" who will be long remembered for many reasons. He was a great mayor as well having what is best for Carson City always in the forefront.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office posted the following on its Facebook site:

"The Carson City Sheriff’s Office offers its condolences to the Teixeira family with the passing of father, husband, and friend Marv. Marv’s commitment to the health and welfare of this community was not only lived as a Mayor, but in every facet of his life as a business person, coach, and active civic leader within many organizations. There was never a challenge that Marv feared could not be tackled. Instead, he frequently placed himself out front to knock down barriers and create a greater good for us all. He will be missed.

Teixeira served three-terms as mayor from 1989-1996 and 2005-2008. He helped advocate the reintroduction of the V&T Railroad and, according to the Nevada Appeal, pushed for flexibility with Nevada Day turning it into a three-day celebration.

In the video below from 2008, he spoke of his decision not to run for another term.