Former City Councilman Edwin Suchman Dies At 99

Former San Leandro City Councilmember Edwin J. Suchman passed away quietly yesterday, surrounded by family in Manteca. He was 99.

Suchman served on the City Council from 1982 until 1990. He was appointed vice mayor in 1985 and 1986.

He also served as a reserve police officer with the San Leandro Police Department before being elected to the City Council.

“Ed Suchman served on the City Council during a period of great change and development in San Leandro,” said Mayor Stephen Cassidy. “His participation in a number of important projects approved by the City Council shaped much of what San Leandro looks like today. We honor his memory and are thankful for all that he did for this community.”

Projects undertaken during Suchman’s term in office included:

• Davis Street was widened and soundwalls were installed;
• San Leandro Boulevard and Halcyon Drive widenings were begun;
• The City’s Corporation Yard was relocated from Davis Street to its current location on Chapman Road;
• The Greenhouse Marketplace shopping center was built;
• Conversion of the former Caterpillar Tractor factory into the Westgate Center was begun;
• Development of the former Marina High School property began for the Marina Vista neighborhood;
• The City and San Lorenzo Unified School District agreed to create the Marina Community Center from a portion of the former school building.

Former Mayor Tony Santos said, "I served with Ed Suchman on the San Leandro City Council for six years. Ed was a tireless leader who worked hard in making certain San Leandro had a quality of life equal to none."

One of Suchman’s passions was youth sports. He and former City Councilmember Bob Glaze were instrumental in having the scoreboards at Stenzel Park illuminated, along with other improvements at the ball field.

He was a strong supporter of the City’s golf courses and was influential in having a foot bridge built over the flood control channel between the two courses.

Glaze remembers Suchman in this way: “Ed was one of the greatest advocates for kids, golf and public safety... When Ed put his mind to a project, there was no stopping him.”

Former Mayor John Faria said: “Ed was very likeable and loved by all. He really cared about San Leandro, and we will miss him.”

Former City Councilmember and former State Assembly Member Johan Klehs remembers Suchman as being an energetic and hard working.

“He completed his eight years on the City Council at the age of about 78, as active as ever," Klehs said.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 1:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.