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Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 10, 2020 “It’s a huge loss for Saugus” Town officials mourn the death of longtime local government participant Stephen M. Horlick By Mark E. Vogler F riends and former political colleagues say Stephen M. Horlick enjoyed serving Saugus citizens as an elected and appointed representative of town government over a span of more than two decades. Even after losing in election bids for two offices last fall – another term on Town Meeting SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY Call for a Quote 617-387-7466 Or email Rocco@sabatino-ins.com We cover: * Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available and a seat on the Saugus Housing Authority – Horlick continued to fuel his passion for public service as a veteran member of the Finance Committee. Instead of getting to participate in Wednesday night’s meeting via “Zoom” videoconferencing, Horlick received posthumous tributes and a moment of silence from his fellow Finance Committee members, who learned that he had been found dead in a wellness check of his home earlier in the day. “It’s with a heavy heart that I have to tell all our members and the people of Saugus that we lost Steve Horlick,” Finance Committee Chair Kenneth DePatto announced at the outset of Wednesday night’s meeting. “There was a wellness stop done at his house and he was found deceased. We lost Steve Horlick,” DePatto told the committee. “Steve has given a lot of his http://www.sabatino-ins.com SABATINO 564 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-7466 Hours of Operation are: Mondays - Fridays 9am to 5pm Saturdays by appointment only J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. time to this community. He’s been a Town Meeting member, a Finance Committee member, a Board of Selectmen member – he volunteered at lots of things I know, at cookouts and things like that.” Minutes before the Zoom meeting commenced, members reflected on Horlick’s passing. “He cared for the town a lot,” Committee Member Theresa Katsos said. “Sad to hear about Steve,” Committee Member Ronald “Rocky” Jepson said. “A fair and honest man that loved Saugus” Preliminary reports indicate S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping A PASSION FOR SERVING SAUGUS: Finance Committee Member Stephen M. Horlick, who was found dead at home this week, was active in local government in various elected and appointed positions for more than 20 years. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) the death was not suspicious, but may have been caused by medical conditions. Horlick, retired and a 30year Saugus resident who had lived previously in Wakefield and Lynn, had served 10 years on the Board of Selectmen. He also served three two-year terms on the Saugus Town Meeting, representing residents of Precinct 8. He had also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the town’s School Building Committee. At the time of his death, he was in his seventh year on the Finance Committee. Veteran Selectman Debra Panetta got emotional Wednesday as she recalled a friendship she enjoyed with Horlick for more than 30 years. “I honestly can’t believe he’s gone,” Panetta wrote in an email to The Saugus Advocate. “It’s a huge loss for Saugus. The sadness I feel is overwhelming. I hope he is remembered as a fair and honest man that loved Saugus because that is how I will always remember my colleague and friend,” she said. Panetta recalled the first time Horlick ran for selectman “and how much passion he had for our Town.” “Over the years, I learned to trust Steve, especially when we were on the Board of Selectmen together. He cared about Saugus first and foremost. He was also an environmentalist and cared deeply about the issues surrounding Precinct 10. He was a member of SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment), and you would always see him at the booth on Founder’s Day and at all the SAVE events,” she said. “Steve wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, even if it was the unpopular viewpoint. He would ask the questions that nobody else wanted to ask. If he went against the grain, that was OK. He wanted his questions answered fully and in a timely fashion,” she said. “I will deeply miss my friend, and our long conversations about Saugus. Steve also loved cats (he had three) and loved to plant – especially tomatoes.” He “enjoyed being a selectman” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano recalled making a motion to appoint Horlick to the Zoning Board of Appeals in the early 1990s. Then, a decade later, Horlick was a formidable candidate for the Board of Selectmen. “The last time I ran for the Board of Selectmen [before last fall] – I believe it was 2003 – Steve got elected, and I lost,” Cogliano said in an interview Wednesday. “He loved politics and enjoyed being a selectman. Steve loved to do anything he could to help the town. I know Steve always tried to do that. He was involved in town government for a long time,” he said. “It’s certainly a sad day for the town to see any political figure pass away.” Horlick graduated from Lynn Vocational Technical School. He was a past president of the Saugus Rotary Club. Funeral arrangements were pending at press time. Get great deals now on advertising rates: Call Jim at 781-983-6187 Publishing free every week in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus

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