Monterey mourns the loss of its "champion," former mayor Peter Coniglio.

Peter Coniglio described himself as a "Monterey guy," and he was, with deep roots that run back to his Italian immigrant grandfather who came to Monterey and found success as a fisherman and founder of the first cannery. Coniglio branched out from those roots to lead the city as its mayor from 1973-1976. His legacy looms large in the city to this day.

Coniglio passed away on Sunday, Feb. 11, surrounded by his wife Rochelle, and family. He was 94.

"I love this city," Coniglio told the Weekly in 2018, for an interview reflecting back on his life in Monterey, his accomplishments and his career as an attorney that lasted 56 years.

One of his biggest contributions to the city as mayor was his vision and leadership that lead to the creation of the Monterey Conference Center, saving the downtown from a long slide into economic decline following the collapse of the sardine industry in the late 1950s. 

"Monterey was on desperate ground. For 16 years, the downtown core of Monterey was a hole in the ground," Coniglio told the Weekly. He envisioned a conference center to bring large groups into town and build up the tourism industry. 

"At that time, there were very few if any convention centers in small cities," he said. "We were anxious, and it was very controversial. My program was: We were going to solve urban renewal and build that damn conference center." The idea worked.

Before he served as mayor, Coniglio  was elected as a councilmember in 1970. Before that, he served on the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. As a planning commissioner, he played a pivotal role in the creation of Window on the Bay, which replaced buildings with green space and access to Monterey Bay  for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Coniglio also volunteered with many organizations, including serving as chair of Monterey History and Art Association's La Merienda barbecue for 45 years. He said it was his grandfather and father who taught him that it was important to give back to the special community that had given them so much. 

After growing up in Monterey, Coniglio enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War. He then earned his law degree from UC San Francisco. He returned to Monterey where he raised six daughters, mostly on his own after his first wife died in 1967.

"While the community grieves this local heart and lifelong public servant, let us celebrate the honorable and generous work he did for our city and region," said Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson in a press release. "His vision and love for Monterey will always be remembered. On behalf of the City of Monterey, we send our love and condolences to his beautiful family."

A celebration of life mass is planned for 10am, March 6, at San Carlos Church, 500 Church St., Monterey.