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Moraga council honors former mayor Al Desayer with public remembrance and memorial instructions
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Summary
The Moraga Town Council opened its meeting with tributes to former mayor and three-term council member Al Desayer; family members accepted a congressional memorial and the council described options for a Moraga Commons memorial installation.
The Moraga Town Council opened its special joint meeting with tributes to former mayor and council member Al Desayer, whose family prepared a remembrance read at the start of the session.
Council member Wolokey read a message from Desayer’s family recounting his life: born in Paris in 1939, a 1961 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a long career at Pacific Telephone/PacBell, and more than four decades of local civic service including work on incorporation, service as town treasurer and three terms on the town council, including terms as mayor. The family requested that memorial donations be made to an Al Desayer Memorial recreational installation at Moraga Commons Park.
During public comment, resident and longtime local Mike McClure recalled Desayer’s fiscal guidance and community leadership, saying the town benefited from “his leadership and helpfulness” and urging continued remembrance. Kaylee Deland, speaking on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mark Desaulnier, said a congressional record had been prepared to memorialize Desayer’s service, and Catherine Desaier Whitaker, one of Desayer’s daughters, thanked the council and community for the honors.
Mayor Hillis and other council members offered words of condolence and memory. The council briefly discussed logistics for a family photo and plans to share memorial materials from County Connection, where Desayer served at length. A private family memorial service is scheduled by the family; the transcript notes a private memorial on March 30, 2026, and instructions for donations to the Moraga Parks and Recreation Department at 2100 Donald Drive were provided by the family’s statement.
Council members said Desayer’s work — from acquiring land that later became Commons Park to long service on regional boards — helped shape Moraga’s parks and transit connections.
The council moved on to the regular agenda after the remembrance. The family accepted the congressional record and the council indicated it will coordinate any community memorial steps with the family’s wishes.
