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Lionel G. ‘Leo’ Trujillo, 1933-2009
By Mark Van de Kamp | 
| Published on 11.30.2009
The city of Santa Maria is mourning the death of Lionel G. “Leo” Trujillo, a retired business executive who served as a Santa Maria city councilman from 2000 to 2008.
Trujillo, 76, died Sunday, Nov. 29, at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria. He was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, Nov. 24, and underwent surgery for a ruptured aortic valve.
Trujillo and his wife, Eileen, moved to Santa Maria in 1998 and quickly became involved in the community. His philosophy was simple: “Do what is right for the people of Santa Maria.”
Approachable and caring, Trujillo came at issues from a practical, down-to-earth style, frequently drawing on his business experience. He served as director and/or adviser to more than 15 charitable civic and professional organizations, including the Rotary Club South of Santa Maria, the Navy League, the American Legion, the Lincoln Club and other organizations. He received numerous awards for his community involvement.
He was first elected in 2000 to the Santa Maria City Council, where he was a fiscal conservative. Early into his first term, when revenues were more abundant, he advocated for increased financial reserves, to be used during economic downturns (the city is presently drawing upon on those funds to help balance the 2009-10 budget).
Trujillo served on the council during a time of numerous city infrastructure projects designed to keep pace with population growth, ranging from fire stations, the new library and many roads. He supported the construction of Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 4 and the remodeling of No. 2 and 3. He also voted for the new public library, and on his personal time raised funds, even carrying a stuffed teddy bear “Beary” on his shoulder to help.
He served as mayor pro tem (deputy mayor) in 2003 and again in 2007. He was re-elected to the council in 2004, earning the most votes of all candidates. In 2007, as the city of Santa Maria’s representative, he served as chairman of the Central Coast Water Authority, the agency responsible for providing imported state water throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. He previously served as a member of the County Housing Advisory Committee and on the Association of Water Agencies of Santa Barbara County.
Born April 3, 1933, in Alamosa, Colo., he grew up in a farming community. He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., where he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration (cum laude). He attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a master of business administration degree in 1974.
He held a number of professional and management positions at Litton Industries in Woodland Hills and at TRW Inc. in Redondo Beach. He retired as a division manager of materiel and subcontracts. Trujillo was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve (Supply Corps) and retired as a captain.
He was very proud of his family heritage and loved to tell stories of his family history in New Mexico. He took pride in the fact that his ancestors had been in the United States well before it became a nation, and that their history had been dated back to 1598.
A funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at St. Louis de Montfort Church on Clark Avenue in Orcutt. Magner-Maloney Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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» on 11.30.09 @ 12:39 PM
Men like my Uncle Leo are few and far between, ESPECIALLY in politics. We love you and will miss you!
» on 11.30.09 @ 01:53 PM
Leo Trujillo was a very good friend. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Eileen.
Leo was an effective and principled Republican leader who will be missed by many.
Gregory Gandrud, Chairman
Santa Barbara County Republican Party
» on 11.30.09 @ 02:36 PM
Leo and I would often have coffee to discuss everything from world politics, local business concerns, Catholicism and family. He was a great and friendly guy and a wonderful and caring human being. He was my friend, adviser, close neighbor, fellow parishioner and community volunteer and a good grandpa-like role model for my young son, Edward. We served on a host of local nonprofit boards and committees. We even founded our own unofficial club, called LAMB, that met at the local IHOP and focused on doing good things. What a tremendous loss for our community. God bless you Leo and your family. Our prayers will be with Eileen.
» on 11.30.09 @ 07:52 PM
Leo was my uncle and he was the sweetest man. A wonderful great-uncle to my boys and they loved him as we all did. We will miss him.
» on 11.30.09 @ 10:38 PM
Leo was a friend of our familes. What a nice, kind gentleman he was. We didn’t get to see him much when he moved north, but when we did get to see him, he was always so happy! He was always willing to help out in anyway he could. He will be greatly missed. God bless you.
» on 11.30.09 @ 11:57 PM
I met Leo and Eileen at a genealogy event in Los Angeles three years ago and discovered that Leo and I both have roots in a small village called Los Sauces that lies in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. We exchanged telephone calls and compared our family trees, trying to make a family connection. The closest that we came to being related is that his ancestors and mine were related by marriage. What a nice man Leo was—so happy and friendly. My sincere condolences to Eileen and the rest of the Trujillo family. Godbless you all.
» on 12.01.09 @ 07:51 AM
Uncle Leo was a great man. He has always been one of my favorite people. He was always so kind and caring to my family. We will miss him.
» on 12.01.09 @ 09:10 AM
I feel honored to have known and worked with Leo while he was at TRW. He was not only a great manager to work for but a friend to confide in. Leo always looked at the bright side of things. If things weren’t how he thought they should be, he would never give up getting it corrected. He truly lived his life as an example to all. Eileen, my heart goes out to you and all your family. I know together you have made some great memories that when you reflect will bring some smiles.
» on 12.01.09 @ 10:56 AM
Working for the Republican Party as its County Director I met Captain (Councilman) Trujillo. I was in the Santa Maria office about 20 minutes on my first day there and this fellow strolls in and I asked him if I could help him. Needless to say he had fun with me until I found out who he was.
Leo, was always friendly, always available for consultation, and always had something valuable to contribute. Regardless of the party affiliation he was a good man. It was great knowing him.
» on 12.01.09 @ 07:07 PM
Leo was my friend, my advisor and the best boss ever. He was the person who made the biggest difference in my career. Eileen, even though we have not been in contact for years, I have always had fond memories of my time with Leo. I know he will truly be missed.
» on 12.10.09 @ 11:38 AM
Eileen,
I met you and Leo at my sister’s 50th wedding anniversary (Gerry Marquez Banks). I could tell then that Leo was a special man of our family. We discussed family Genealogy. I maintain a family web site and have his Genealogy chart on the web site. It is gret!
My prayers and condolences to you as I am sure that Leo is in a place where he no longer needs prayer and is happy with God.
Lawrence (Larry) B Marquez
» on 01.20.10 @ 08:25 PM
So very sad to hear of Mr. Trujillos passing.
This was sudden news and surprising.
Sincerely thinking of Mrs. Trujillo, family , friends and community. John Tuft
Asheville, NC
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