Judge Armando Gandarilla passed away this weekend

Pic courtesy Judge Gandarilla's family, sent via the Maricopa County Justice Courts
















Edited to include the press release issued by the Maricopa County Justice Courts.  They did a much better job of writing about this than I did.  :)

Armando Gandarilla, Justice of the Peace for the Downtown (Phoenix) Justice Precinct, passed away this weekend.

He had been a Justice of the Peace since 2008, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy, and won election to a full term in November 2010.

Judge Gandarilla was noted for his many neighborhood and civic activities and awards, such as a Hon Kachina Award for Volunteerism (1981).

Prior to his service as Justice of the Peace, he spent more than a quarter of a century with the Maricopa County Adult Probation Office.

A colleague described him with one word - "Sweet."

Arrangements are pending.

My deepest condolences go out to Judge Gandarilla's family and many friends.


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From the press release email -

With great sadness the Maricopa County Justice Courts announce the death of Judge Armando Gandarilla, the Justice of the Peace for the Downtown Justice Precinct. Judge Gandarilla passed away at his home in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, January 24.


“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend, Armando Gandarilla,” said Presiding Justice of the Peace Lester Pearce. “Those who knew Judge Gandarilla will remember him as a gentle and passionate person, who cared deeply for his profession and those around him”

Judge Gandarilla was first appointed Justice of the Peace for the Downtown Justice Court in 2008, upon the recommendation of Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. He ran unopposed and was reelected in 2010. Prior to his appointment, he had more than 30 years of experience in the probation and justice arenas.

Judge Gandarilla held a bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and completed studies for a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He was employed as a probation officer/supervisor for the Maricopa County Adult Probation Office from 1975-2002. During his career, Judge Gandarilla received several community honors including the Hon Kachina 12 Who Cares Award, Volunteer Probation Officer of the Year Award and the Spirit of Giving Award.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Judge Gandarilla’s two daughters and son during this most difficult time,” said Pearce.

There are 25 justice courts in Maricopa County that hear a combined caseload of more than 400,000 cases each year including civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less, landlord and tenant controversies, small claims cases and civil and criminal traffic offenses, including DUIs. Justices of the Peace also resolve other types of misdemeanor allegations and handle requests for orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.

At this time, arrangements are still pending.
 
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