Fremont honoring Piero at memorial service

FREMONT- The city will celebrate the life of longtime city employee Mike Piero Friday at the Fremont Recreation Center, a week after he died unexpectedly at his home.

Piero, 48, died July 22.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of Piero's life at the Fremont Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Friday.

Bob Gross, executive assistant to the mayor, said he knew Piero well. Piero was the city's recreation coordinator at time of his death.

Gross said he played softball with Piero and was encouraged by his friend to become a referee at high school football and basketball games.

He said he and Piero officiated high school basketball games together the past six or seven years.

"We'd ride in the car together to officiate games," Gross said.

Gross described Piero as fun-loving and community oriented and said he known him for 10 years. He said Piero also coached youth basketball and soccer teams.

Mayor Danny Sanchez announced Piero's death last week.

He said Piero began his employment with the city in 1994. Sanchez said that Piero, during his 22 years of service to the community, had became a recognizable fixture at the Fremont Recreation Center and local parks.

The mayor called Piero a huge asset to the city's staff, citizens and youth.

Piero had been recently selected as the "Employee of the Month" in Fremont and was the first city employee to ever receive the award, Sanchez said.

"My administration understands the value Mike was to our community and plans are already being discussed to honor his legacy," Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that the city's employee of the month award will now be named in Piero's honor.

Gross said details for Friday's memorial service were still being worked out. He said the service would last about an hour.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter:@DanielCarson7