Thomas Perreira Pico
Jan. 19, 1944-Oct. 8, 2026
Pleasanton, California
Tom Pico, Jr., former Mayor and long-time Pleasanton resident, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 8, 2026, at the age of 82. Tom was a loving father, exceptional grandfather, environmentalist, political activist, and mentor. He served his community as a kind, thoughtful, patriotic, principled, fiercely protective, wise, introverted leader with integrity. His goal in life was to “be of value, follow my passion, have fun, and laugh more.”
Tom was born on January 19, 1944 in Paia Hospital on Maui, Hawaii and lived in the Kokoma neighborhood of rural Makawao. In 1950, his family relocated from Kula on one of the first transcontinental passenger flights, settling in Eastern Contra Costa County, California. Tom graduated from Antioch High School in 1961. During summer breaks while attending college, he worked in the same paper mill that his parents worked, instilling the family values of honor, integrity and hard work.
Tom was the first in his family to graduate from a four-year college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State [University]. Tom was inducted into the US Army on June 15, 1966 and attended Army Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the Vietnam War, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed at Fort Ord, California. Among his military medals and awards, Tom received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He was honorably discharged May 8, 1969. Tom earned a Masters degree in Business Administration in Taxation from Golden Gate University and was a Certified Public Accountant. He made a career in corporate finance and accounting and operated his own tax accounting business for 22 years, retiring in 2016.
Tom moved to Pleasanton in the 1980s. He served the City of Pleasanton for 12 consecutive years, including two terms on the City Council and two terms as Mayor from 2000 to 2004. His accomplishments include passing balanced growth measures, funding the broadcast of public meetings, restoring the Pleasanton Veteran’s Memorial Building, and preserving open space in the Pleasanton Ridge, Bernal Community Park, and Callippe Preserve Golf Course. He remained active in local politics, mentoring many, and proudly serving Alameda County on the Local Area Formation Commission.
His hobbies included watching all kinds of sports, backpacking, visiting hot springs, and traveling in his motorhome across North America and extensively overseas.
Tom Pico, Jr. is survived by his children Tom Pico, III and his wife Tristan Pico, Mathew Ellis and his wife Rungnapha “Kaew” Ellis, Jennifer Pico-Moy, and Adam Ellis; sisters Audrey Van Poppel and Susan Remmich and her husband Marv Remmich; six grandchildren, and former wife Jo Ann Pico.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years Karen Pico, his father Thomas Perreira Pico, his mother Alice Caires Pico, and his brother Rodney Pico.
A Celebration of Life and reception will be held at 4:00pm on Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Pleasanton Masonic Center, 1181 Quarry Lane. Dress is Hawaiian attire/dressy casual.
Tags: veteran, public service