PINECREST, Fla. – Gary Matzner, a former mayor of Pinecrest hailed as the village’s “founding father,” died over the weekend, officials announced Wednesday.
Matzner, 75, died Saturday, according to a news release. He had attended a groundbreaking ceremony of a park named in his honor just eight days prior; it’s set to open in 2025.
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According to an online obituary, the former civic leader and healthcare attorney died after a “brief bout with cancer.”
Matzner was among those who “spearheaded the movement to incorporate” Pinecrest in the mid-1990s in the wake of Hurricane Andrew, the news release states.
Village officials said he “tirelessly negotiated with Miami-Dade County, rallied community support and overcame significant opposition” leading up to the village’s incorporation on May 16, 1996.
He would later serve as mayor from 2008 to 2012.
“Mayor Matzner’s vision for the Village has come true. Three decades later, we are all thriving because of his wisdom, courage, and leadership,” Mayor Joseph M. Corradino said in the news release. “We are deeply grateful and want his legacy to live on as a champion of our community.”
Former Mayor Evelyn Greer, known as Pinecrest’s “founding mother,” said, “Gary’s unwavering commitment and dedication to Pinecrest laid the foundation for the vibrant community we have today. His impact will be felt for generations to come. He was not only a visionary leader but also a dear friend and an inspiration to all who knew him. As his neighbor, I witnessed firsthand his passion for this community and his relentless pursuit of making Pinecrest a better place for everyone.”
Family members held a celebration of life for Matzner at his synagogue on Tuesday and village flags flew at half-staff, officials said.
He was survived by his wife, Veronica, and four children.