Longtime Hermosa Beach treasurer and civic volunteer dies

John Workman

John Workman, the city’s 18-year treasurer who was a tireless civic volunteer and 1989 Chamber of Commerce man of the year, passed away Friday morning. He was 73.

Workman collapsed at home, where he was discovered by his wife of 50 years, Mary Ellen Workman.

She had left the house for a meeting of TOPS, a sensible weight loss group, and expected her husband to follow later. When he did not, she returned to find him dead in their bedroom.

A little more than two weeks before, during a heated reelection campaign for his treasurer’s post, Workman had suffered heart attack-like symptoms and was hospitalized for three days.

“They put him through every kind of test,” his wife said. “They thought it was probably brought on by stress.”

On Tuesday, three days before his death, Workman lost his reelection bid. But in the days following, he was “so perky, so up,” his wife said.

Workman was born in Hermosa and lived in the city the past 44 years. In decades past, he owned the Triangle Hardware store on Pacific Coast Highway.

His civic involvement included 33 years with Hermosa Rotary, 10 years delivering meals on wheels for Salvation Army, and serving on its local board.

He served on the boards of the Salvation Army, Beach Cities Health District and Hermosa Beach Sister City Association, sat on the supervisory committee of the South Bay Credit Union, and served as an aide to Rotary International’s district governor.

“He gave his whole life to the city,” his wife said.

Around town, Workman cut a Teddy Bear-like figure, with a warm personality and a quick, friendly wit.

“He was the love of my life, and he was a magnificent friend,” Mary Ellen said.

Flags flew at half staff for Workman, whose memory was honored briefly by Mayor Howard Fishman at Hermosa’s annual candlelight Veterans Day ceremony, on the same day that he died.

“The City Council, all the city’s employees and people across Hermosa Beach are deeply saddened by the passing of John Workman,” Fishman said in the city’s official public statement.

“His unwavering dedication to public service and the City of Hermosa Beach has been an inspiration for all of us who work for the city and for its residents,” Fishman said. “He was a beloved figure in City Hall who will be missed.”

Workman was born in Red Oak, Iowa, and graduated from Redondo Union High School in 1956.

In 1993 the City Council unanimously appointed him to the treasurer’s post when the incumbent resigned midterm. Workman ran unopposed for reelection in all but two city elections, losing for the first time last week.

During his tenure, Workman turned down every pay raise the City Council offered, and paid his own costs to attend treasurers’ conferences and workshops.

“John was an enthusiastic individual, giving generously of his time and energy to make Hermosa Beach a better place for all who live and work here,” Fishman said. “He was known throughout the community for his willingness to volunteer to help where he was needed, and we all appreciated his gentle spirit.”

Workman’s survivors include his wife Mary Ellen, son Joseph Workman of Torrance, daughters Sharon Thompson of Hermosa and Lisa Edwards of Yucca Valley, and six grandchildren.

Viewing will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Blvd., Torrance.

A memorial service will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Hermosa Beach Community Center Theatre, Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.

A reception will follow at the Clark Building, 861 Valley Drive, Hermosa, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., when the family will leave for internment.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Salvation Army of Redondo Beach and Torrance.