A tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias was held at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Duarte Mayor Margaret Finlay hugs Rosa Urias during a tree dedication ceremony for her son, former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias was held at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Duarte Mayor Margaret Finlay takes a photo as Rosa Urias looks on during a tree dedication ceremony for Urias’ son, former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Duarte Mayor Margaret Finlay hugs Rosa Urias during a tree dedication ceremony for her son, former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dignitaries put soil around a tree during a tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dr. Perla Hernandez Trumkul hugs Rosa Urias during a tree dedication ceremony for Urias’ son, former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People listen to speakers during a tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Duarte Councilmember Sam Kang comforts Rosa Urias during a tree dedication ceremony for her son, former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People listen to speakers during a tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
It’s been a difficult couple of years in the ranks of elected leadership at Duarte City Hall.
Most recently, City Councilwoman Tzeitel Paras-Caracci passed away in June, sending ripples of sadness through the city, and culminating in a memorial service paying tribute to a pioneering life.
Earlier, last September, the city took another leadership hit.
Bryan Urias, a lifelong resident of the San Gabriel Valley and 1999 graduate of West Covina High School who ultimately became the city’s mayor, died at age 40.
Members of the Duarte City Council described Urias as the son of immigrant parents and a dedicated public servant who calmly worked to forge consensus among community leaders. He graduated from CSU Los Angeles before entering a career in politics and government.
Urias was elected to the Duarte City Council in 2018, and became mayor in December 2020. He also served on the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the city of Duarte hosted a Tree Dedication Ceremony in memory of the former mayor.
The tree was planted at Beardslee Park, in the district Urias represented.
The former mayor’s mother, Rosa Urias, attended the ceremony, which featured tributes from speakers including Duarte Mayor Margaret Finlay.
The dedication ceremony included the unveiling of a special monument at the tree’s base that honored Urias “for his love and commitment to the betterment of the community.”
A tree dedication ceremony for former City of Duarte Mayor and City Councilmember Bryan Urias was held at Beardslee Park in Duarte Wednesday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
