Street sign in Linda Vista unveiled in remembrance of Howard Wayne

About 50 friends, family members and Linda Vista residents turned out Saturday morning for the placement of an honorary street sign for Howard Wayne, a lifelong Democrat who served three terms in the California Legislature.

A pair of markers were placed at the corner of Morena Boulevard and Buenos Avenue in remembrance of Wayne, who died in November 2023 at the age of 75 after a brief illness.

"He truly loved his community, and his community loved him," said San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo .

The honorary street signs don't affect the addresses on the block.

Wayne represented the 78th District in the state Assembly from 1996 to 2002, and in his first year in Sacramento, he navigated the passage of Assembly Bill 411 . Eventually signed into law by then-Gov. Pete Wilson, Wayne's bill has since been regarded as landmark legislation that established standards for ocean water quality testing in California, strengthened testing and required residents be alerted of potential contaminants.

After retiring from the Legislature due to term limits, Wayne served on numerous local boards, including as chair of the Linda Vista Community Planning Group.

"Howard loved his community and was especially good at getting people to the table to make it better for everyone," said Felicity Senoski, who served on the planning group with Wayne from 2014 to 2023 and is now the organization's chair. "This street naming really honors Howard in a way I am sure would make him proud."

Wayne is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Lundberg.

Born in Fresno in 1948, Wayne's family moved to San Diego when he was a toddler . After graduating early from Hoover High School, Wayne enrolled at San Diego State University at the age of 15. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of San Diego.

Prior to his time in the Legislature, Wayne worked at the California Attorney General's office for 23 years, serving as assistant attorney general.

In 2010, he ran for San Diego City Council in District 6 and lost in a close race. Throughout his career, Wayne offered political expertise and acted as a mentor and friend to Democratic party members, candidates and elected officials.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune .