Valley Center, CA (May 3, 2025) — It is with deep sadness that the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians announces today that Chairman Bo Mazzetti has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Chairman Mazzetti passed away on May 1, 2025 at the age of 77. He was comforted by his family in his final moments.
After attending school at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, he joined the Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He continued his education at California Polytechnic University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science.
After college, he worked as the San Diego County Indian Affairs officer. During this time, he established the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association and then later, the statewide Tribal Chairmans’s Association. After leaving the job with the county, he obtained his general contractor’s and engineering license and ran his own company. Eventually he transitioned back to Indian issues and became the Roads Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. During that time, he established the Reservation Transportation Authority. In the last few years, he served as President of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, a coalition of five tribes, that won a 50 year long lawsuit to regain tribal water rights.
Chairman Mazzetti felt service to the community was important. In 2002, he was elected to the Rincon Tribal Council and eventually became Vice Chairman. In 2008, he was elected Chairman where he served for over 16 consecutive years.
Mazzetti advocated the protection of tribal sovereignty. While prioritizing the needs of tribal members, Mazzetti championed the Rincon tribe’s generous support of community organizations and causes throughout the region.
Under Mazzetti’s vibrant leadership, the tribe grew in stature and influence throughout the state, while providing for the care and protection of its tribal members.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Emily; and son, Joseph. The Mazzetti family requests privacy during this difficult time.
Services are pending.