EDITOR'S NOTE: This obituary originally appeared on a blog, "A Bubbling Cauldron," and was reprinted with permission.
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COSTA MESA — After a week filled with sadness in Costa Mesa, I must report that my friend Bruce Garlich, a former Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner who twice ran for City Council, has died.
He died of cancer Tuesday evening, after a brief stay in hospice care. He was 74.
As many Costa Mesans will know, Bruce was a pillar of our community. At the time of his death, he was president of the Costa Mesa Senior Corp.'s board of directors.
He was also involved in many other community organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Lions Club, Costa Mesa United, and was a volunteer reader in Costa Mesa elementary schools.
Bruce was a member of the Costa Mesa Planning Commission for six years, including a tour as chairman. During that time, he used his finely-honed executive skills to keep the commission focused and productive.