Placer mourns loss of beloved political leader Bill Santucci

Bill Santucci, one of Placer County's most respected political leaders, was once asked to describe himself, his wife, Norma, recalled.

"Meat and potatoes," was his answer, she recalled.

"And that's what he was – just a simple man who loved his family," Norma Santucci said.

Santucci, a lifelong resident of Roseville, suffered a heart attack at home Wednesday morning. He was rushed to a hospital by ambulance but did not survive. He was 79.

His loss was felt throughout Roseville and Placer County, where he was a major influence for 32 years, operating in a quiet, firm and dignified manner.

"He was known as a man who would get things done," said Supervisor F.C. "Rocky" Rockholm, who succeeded Santucci as District 1 supervisor in January 2007.

"He wasn't afraid to tell you if he didn't agree with you. His handshake was his bond."

Supervisor Bruce Kranz said Santucci was "the most polite person you could ever meet."

"He was always thoughtful about every decision he made," he said.

Roseville Mayor Jim Gray called Santucci's death "a tremendous loss for all citizens of Roseville."

"Bill was the consummate public servant and always had the best interests of our citizens in his heart," Gray said in a news statement issued by the city.

Norma Santucci said her husband never wanted a state office.

"He was the kind who didn't want to enact bills in the Senate or the Assembly," she said. "He wanted to help his neighbor or the little guy down the street."

Longtime friend Chris Georgis said Santucci enjoyed helping others, including regular visits to the home of a 100-year-old woman to take her to doctor's appointments.

"He did things like that on the quiet," Georgis said.

In recent years, Roseville and Placer County bestowed honors on Santucci. The city named a park after him, and the county has named its nearly completed Justice Center after him.

Santucci graduated from Roseville High School and Placer Junior College, now known as Sierra College.

He worked for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. as a meter reader and office worker, Norma Santucci said. He then worked for Aerojet, becoming director of liquid rocket operations before retiring in 1977 after 20 years.

Santucci began a new career as a public servant in 1976, when he was appointed to Roseville's Project Design Review Committee. After five years, he was appointed to the Roseville Planning Commission.

In 1986, he was chosen to fill a vacancy on the Roseville City Council and remained until 1994, twice being elected and twice serving as mayor.

In 1994, he was elected to the Placer County Board of Supervisors. He served 12 years, running unopposed in 1998 and 2002.

Before retiring, he urged Rockholm, then a Roseville City Council member, to run for his District 1 seat, which serves Roseville.

After Rockholm was elected, Santucci asked the new supervisor to consider him for the Placer County Planning Commission. Rockholm appointed him.

"He just wanted to stay involved," Rockholm said.

Former Roseville City Manager Al Johnson said Santucci was a key player in the city's transition from a small commuter town to a thriving city.

"He was the mayor when we went to Japan to talk to NEC for its $1 billion expansion project in Roseville," Johnson said.

As Roseville prepared for growth, Santucci helped review and approve the city's Southeast, Northwest, North Central and Del Webb specific plans.

Supervisor Robert Weygandt said Santucci helped end a lawsuit between Roseville and the county in the mid-1990s.

The two sides couldn't agree on who would handle future growth on unincorporated land west of Roseville, he said.

"We worked on a settlement and eventually signed a memorandum of understanding," Weygandt said.

Santucci also helped create a city-county partnership to bring the Roseville Galleria to the city, Al Johnson said.

Norma Santucci said her husband was a lifelong athlete and outdoorsman.

"He loved golf," she said. "He was pretty good. He shot in the low 80s. He just shot an 83 last Friday. His goal was to shoot an 80 on his 80th birthday."

Santucci was preparing for a fishing trip to Nevada with friends before he suffered the heart attack, his wife said.

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