UPPER LAKE, Calif. — On Saturday, Aug. 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the county park in Upper Lake, the community will join to honor the late Gene Paleno, a beloved community leader, author and friend to many.

Paleno passed in July of 2021 during the pandemic.

The gathering is hosted by the Lake County Silver Foundation at the park in Upper Lake, 615 State Highway 20, where a special engraved bench will be dedicated in honor of a man known for supporting the community he loved.

The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a special ceremony to unveil the bench dedicated to Paleno, followed by remembrances and refreshments.

The community is invited to attend.

“We have been working with the county to install a commemorative park bench that celebrates the contributions of a very special man,” said Jim Steele, Silver Foundation president. “Gene’s family will attend along with our Foundation Board and District 3 County Supervisor EJ Crandell. We hope Gene’s many friends will also join us as we dedicate this bench in his honor.”

Paleno authored many literary works and published many books, most notably “Lake County History, A Mystical Adventure in Time,” “The Cleo Chronicles,” inspired by Cleo, his cat and best friend; and “The Porter Conspiracy,” a true story about a Civil War general who fought for 20 years to regain his honor.

He also had a regular column in the Record-Bee, was a frequent speaker at events throughout the county and was a regular guest on local community radio station, KPFZ.

Paleno took on leadership roles in the county as well. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as the first chairperson of the East Region Town Hall and was vice president and founding board member of the Lake County Silver Foundation where he advocated for seniors.

He also was the recipient of a Lake County Stars Award and received the Inspirational Senior Award at the first annual Senior Summit in 2019.

“He was an extraordinary individual — a veteran of World War II, a local community leader, an author who often dedicated his work to our county, and a contributing and inspiring member of our Lake County Silver Foundation Board,” Steele said.

For more information about the event, visit the foundation website, call 916-849-8170 or visit the foundation’s Facebook page.