David Gafin, civic leader and former mayor, dies at 65

DOWNEY – Former Downey mayor David Gafin died Thursday following a battle with cancer. He was 65.

A beloved civic leader, he was elected to the Downey City Council in 2004 and was re-elected four years later with no opposition. He served as mayor in 2007-08.

An accountant by trade, he was past president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Gafin also served as president of Gangs Out of Downey and Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis, among other volunteer work.

He was born Sept. 6, 1954 in Lynn, Mass., and moved to Downey in 1960. He graduated from Downey High School in 1972 and is a member of its Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda; son, Brent Gable; daughter-in-law, Trisha; and grandchildren Mika and Noah Gable.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis, P.O. Box 1052, Downey CA 90240.