Davis, Powelson helped shaped Redondo from opposite ends of social spectrum
Portofino Hotel marina owner Mary Davis was one of the first professional women race car drivers, paving the way for Danika Patrick, and the current generation of female race car drivers. Mary Davis and Chester Powelson, each influential Redondoans throughout the last half of the last century, died recently, within a week of one another. The two occupied opposite ends of both the political and social spectrum. Davis owned the Portofino Marina in King Harbor for nearly three decades and was a forceful advocate of business interests. Powelson worked in the harbor for three decades as a city laborer and was an outspoken political watchdog. Davis passed away at her La Quinta home on December 8 from heart failure at the age of 86. She is survived by her nieces, nephews. Chester Powelson worked for the City of Redondo Beach for over three decades. Powelson passed away November 29 at his Redondo Beach home at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Anna, children Lorenza Smith and Joseph, Louis, Rene and Angela Powelson and by nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mary Davis with fellow King Harbor Lessee Les Guthrie in 2009, during King Harbor’s 50th anniversary…
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