Marvin Joe Cichy

Local attorney, Marvin Joe Cichy, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2017, at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, California. He was 77 years old. A viewing will be held at Pierce Brothers Turner Stevens Mortuary located at 1136 E. Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel, California, on January 4, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 150 W. Duarte Road in Arcadia, California, with an addition viewing from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., service at 10:00 a.m.

Marvin’s parents, Joseph Francis Cichy and Edythe Bell Cichy, and sister, Edyth Hinkle, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Susan Larsen Cichy, his brother William K. Cichy, two children, Rebecca Cichy Adling and Joseph D. Cichy, and six grandchildren.

Marvin was born in Seattle, Washington in 1940. His family moved from Seattle to Southern California in 1945, settling in South Gate. Marvin graduated from South Gate High School where he excelled at a variety of sports, making first team “all-City” in basketball and tennis. After graduation in the winter class of 1959, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1959, attending N.C.O. School and the Technique of Military Instruction School. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and was part of the 1st Marine Rescue Unit, SHUFLY- Da Nang, in 1963.

Upon completion of his active military service, Marvin graduated in 1967 from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and in 1969 received his standard teaching credential. He was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Fraternity).

From 1967 to 1969, Marvin worked as a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He was a teacher at Duarte High School from 1969-1971, and in 1971, he enrolled in Western State University College of Law, graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 1974. Marvin was admitted to the California State Bar in December 1974. During law school, he worked as an insurance adjuster for Pacific Auto Insurance Company and Underwriters Adjusting Company, and as a counselor for the Legal Aide Society in Norwalk, California.

Marvin was in private practice from 1974-1976, affiliated with the Law Firm of Cossman, Delks and Plotkin in Norwalk, California. From 1976-1984, he was a partner at the Law Firm of Daugherty, Cichy and Eckl, where he practiced civil and criminal litigation, as well as municipal administrative law.

From 1984-1990, Marvin was in private practice with the Law Firm of Moseley and Leech in El Monte, California, processing civil and criminal cases. During this time, he also served as a contract City Prosecutor for the cities of Duarte, El Monte and Hesperia.

Marvin was hired as the Deputy City Attorney II/Assistant City Attorney for the City of El Monte in 1990 and served in that capacity until 1997. He served as chief legal counsel to the El Monte Police Department, risk manager for tort claims and litigation against the city, Supervising City Prosecutor, counsel to the Planning Commission and Personnel Appeals Board, legal advisor to department heads, city traffic hearing judge and personnel appeals hearing judge, supervising trial counsel on all civil cases, managed the legal department, prepared and administered the budget for the office. In 1997, the City Council voted to disband the City Attorney’s Office and contract out for these services. In 1995, he graduated from the U.S Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation National Law Institute in Quantico, Virginia.

Marvin served as a Juvenile Hearing Officer for the Los Angeles Superior Court from 1997-2004.

In 2004, until his retirement in 2011, Marvin was in private practice, handling adult and juvenile criminal cases in the East District of Los Angeles Superior Court.

Marvin was an active participant in local city government. From 1975–1984, he was a member of the Rosemead City Council, and served as Rosemead’s Mayor between 1976-1978. During this time, the city developed the Sheraton Hotel, May Company/K-Mart Shopping Malls, enlarged the Redevelopment Agency, bringing in the Title Insurance and Trust, Cal Federal Saving Corporate Headquarters and enlarged Southern California Edison’s Headquarters.

In 1991, Marvin was elected to the Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water District, serving on the Board of Directors for twelve years. During that same time, he served as Board President from 1993-1994. He was also on the Board of Directors to the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, as a Commission Member for the Main San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, and as a member of the National Resources Association. Marvin was recognized as an expert on water issues at both the local and national level, and served as the local representative at the United States Bureau of Reclamation Reorganization Symposium in Washington D.C. during the Spring of 1996.

During his lifetime, Marvin was an avid reader and historian. He was very proud of his service in the Marine Corps. Marvin was a great supporter of local sports teams, including the UCLA Bruins and the Cal State Long Beach 49ers. He enjoyed visiting museums, historical sites, and traveling with his wife and family. He and his brother loved watching old movies together. His life was an example of service to his country and local communities. Marvin believed in the justice system and always served his clients well. He was a brilliant man – one of honor and integrity, a loyal and trusted friend, fearless protector of the rights of others, and a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Marvin’s life impacted all he touched for the better. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.