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Family and friends of Danville Town Councilman Mike Shimansky will gather in San Diego Friday for a private funeral service.

Shimansky died early Tuesday afternoon at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, after coming down with bacterial meningitis Aug. 17.

He was visiting his family in San Diego when he began to suffer severe flu symptoms and was hospitalized. Since being hospitalized four weeks ago, the venerable councilman was in a comatose state.

“We’re all just deeply saddened,” said Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich. “It was a shock. It was five weeks ago today that we last saw him. He was happy, he was excited, he was going to see his grandkids.”

A week later, Arnerich said they heard the news of Shimansky’s illness. “It has just been a blur of shock since then.”

“Mike was really ‘Mr. Danville’ in the sense that he’s been around so long,” added Arnerich. “He was unique in that he retired very young from Pacific Bell and had the opportunity to get involved in the community in more ways and more intensively than a lot of people could.”

Mr. Shimansky, 65, served on the Danville Town Council for 20 years, first elected in 1989, then re-elected to office in 1993, 1997, 2002 and 2006. He served in the rotating position of mayor in 1993, 2003 and 2007. Before that he was on the town’s first Parks and Leisure Services Commission.

Town Manager Joe Calabrigo was informed of Shimansky’s death early in the afternoon by the councilman’s family.

“I had the opportunity to work with him for 20 years,” he said. “It’s a tremendous loss for his family and this community. There are just so many different people and segments of our community who will feel this loss very profoundly.”

Besides being a councilman, Mr. Shimansky was extremely involved in the community as well as helping out at the state and national level. He traveled to New Orleans to join American Red Cross efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and he helped out with the wildfires in San Diego County in 2007.

He was well known locally for officiating soccer and lacrosse games and track meets, presiding over the Primo’s and Devil Mountain Runs, and participating in the Fourth of July Parade. He was instrumental in the establishment of the All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park.

Mr. Shimansky was also always present at seniors activities, veterans events and representing those with special needs. He played Santa Claus at the Town’s annual Elf Workshop and at the Danville Community Band’s holiday concerts.

“I’m getting phone calls and e-mails from all across the county,” said Councilman Mike Doyle “People loved him for his work ethic. Every decision he made, he had the people of Danville in mind.”

“When I first ran for office in 1990, he was the only one to come up and say, ‘Mike, I’ll help you in any way I can,'” recalled Doyle. “I will miss him dearly. We argued quite a bit but it was civil and we agreed to disagree.”

Councilwoman Candace Andersen recalled the passion Shimansky displayed for serving the town and the myriad ways in which he expressed it.

“When I think of Mike, I think of the epitome of the public servant,” she offered. “He was really there for the right reasons. It wasn’t a stepping stone to higher office, it wasn’t for accolades from the community, it’s because he believed what he believed and he was there for the community.”

She pointed to his service beyond the Town Council, working as a parks commissioner for four years.

“I think the community can be grateful for his role, especially in the area of parks. We have some of the most beautiful parks in the area and we can thank Mike for his part in that,” she said.

As a council member, Mr. Shimansky also served on regional boards, including the Central Contra Costa solid Waste Authority, Contra Costa Transit authority and the San Ramon Valley Disaster Council. He was the Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference appointee on the S.F. Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board and the East Bay Regional Park District Advisory Committee and the Elections Citizen Advisory Committee.

Mr. Shimansky is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sue; son Greg and daughters Lori and Cyndi; daughter-in-law Shannon and son-in-law Mark; and his beloved grandchildren Morgan, Luke, Paige, Payton and Michael.

A public memorial service honoring the long time public servant will be announced on the Town of Danville website early next week.

In lieu of flowers, well-wishers are asked to make contributions in Mike’s name to either Karen Stepper or David Miller, marked For Benefit of Mike Shimansky.

Checks may also be sent to:

Kevin Schwartz, Branch Manager

Wells Fargo Bank

156 Diablo Road

Danville, CA 94526

Condolence cards may be sent to the Danville Town Offices, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526, and they will be forwarded to the Shimansky family.


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17 Comments

  1. Dear Dolores,

    North Danville neighborhoods in the Diablo Vista region will celebrate memories of Mike in his tragic loss to Danville and his family. Mike’s exceptional contribution of his time and consideration to Danville neighborhoods is recognized as often at-odds but always considerate of neighbors’ advisory and commentary. His challenges made everyone better citizens and a bigger part of Danville’s future

    We hope the town council, chamber and other groups will sponsor a celebration of Mike’s contribution in memory of Mike and recognition of his family’s loss. While the warm evenings continue, might we gather in celebration of Mike?

    Hal Bailey
    In courtesy to Danville neighborhoods
    Diablo Vista region community of neighborhoods

  3. We have known and loved Mike for over 30 years. He was one of the most decent folks we have known – honest, caring, giving, and not interested in accomplishing projects for political reasons – he has served the community because that was his calling. And he loved what he did. And what he did was done face to face, not on the phone, iphone or email. He was a real person who loved all.

    He is now in a better place, and out of pain.

    God bless him and his wonderful family.

    Diane and Don Schinnerer

  4. I was so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I will always hold on to my memories of our conversations at the Frontier Barbershop and at the 4th of July Parade. My son who is now 24 met Mike at his first parade when he was 8 years old. The Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley of which I am a member will never forget Mike and all he has done for our wonderful town. Mike, you are Mr. Danville.

  5. Mike will be greatly missed by the Conklin family. A true Patriot always giving back to his community. Always there when asked to support our Veterans, always with a smile.

    His good work in our community set an example for all of us to emulate.

    Our prayers go out to Sue and the family.

    Sincerely, Mike & Peggy Conklin, 2nd LT Kris Conklin USA, SFC Curt Conklin USA, Sgt Case Conklin USAR

  6. It is with great sadness that I see this notice. Mike was a source of great civic pride, support and most of all an outrageous sense of humor.
    My prayers go out to his family, friends and neighbors.
    Danville has lost a wonderul citizen.

  7. When our children passed, the very next day Mike showed up at our house and spent hours with us. We had never met him before, but he acted liked an old friend.

    We will miss how much he has done and how much he has meant to so many.

  8. Mike, I have lived in Danville since 1988 and have known you at least eight years, in and out of town council meetings. Ever since the beginning you showed me respect and gave me encouragement. I never thanked you enough for being part of Hats Off America, coming to our fund raising events, recognizing and thanking all who came to provide support. At our last fund raising run on September 12, we observed two minutes of silence for you and your family. At our next run we wlli observe the same ritual and will recognize with the participants your efforts and help and pray for your family.

  10. Mike Shimansky was the only Concilman who did not believe the global warming propaganda and who voted against the Air Resources Board unreasonable imposition of carbon tax on us all (15:1 he told me). He was also the only councilman who respected the First Amendment of the Constitution.
    We will miss him and remember him.

  11. I had the honor of meeting Mike last winter while waiting at the passport window at the post office.

    He was getting ready to take yet another trip to help others in need. His love and great efforts are so greatly appreciated and he will certianly be missed by many.

    My prayers go to his family and friends.

  12. I can’t imagine the Town Council without Mike Shimansky. He listened. He got it. He always made the time to understand the issues. He was a genuine, good guy. I’ll miss his sense of humor, support and words of wisdom that he was so kind enough to share, along with his help at fundraising and campaigning. My prayers go out to his family. Know that he made a difference – and will be remembered.

  13. We were so very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He made such contributions to our town and he will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.

  14. On behalf of Diablo Valley College I would like express my condolences to the Shimansky family. Mike was an excellent partner in the years leading up to the establishment and eventual construction of the DVC San Ramon Campus. He was supportive of expanding access to higher education in the valley and was always present at events on the campus. He was a gracious and generous public servant.

  16. Mike was one of the first persons I met when we moved to Danville over 30 years ago. His love of Danville was evident in our first meeting and that flame has burned bright all these years. Mr. Danville has passed away but the memory of his smile and “can do” attitude will be with us forever.

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