Suffering from cancer in advanced stages, has been absent much of Session

By Guy Page

“After thoughtful consideration, it is with great sadness that I submit to you this formal letter of resignation as Vermont State Senator of Colchester and Grand Isle County effective today, Monday, April 8, 2024.”

With these words, beginning his letter to friend, mentee, and fellow fast car enthusiast Gov. Phil Scott, Sen. Richard Mazza ended another chapter in his lengthy record of public service to Vermont. 

Mazza, a Colchester resident since his birth in 1939, served as state senator for the last 39 years. He is suffering from end-stage cancer. During the early days of the 2024 Session of the Legislature, he appeared cheerful but thin. He has been absent since. 

“Due to health reasons, I am unable to provide the quality of service and dedication I have always given to my constituents and the State of Vermont. Having dedicated representation has always been one of my top priorities and I believe the people I serve deserve someone who can provide their full attention to this citical position.”

He was elected to the Senate in 1985 and served three years in the Vermont House from 1973-76. He is the owner/operator of Dick Mazza’s General Store in Malletts Bay, a grocery store that since 1954 has served residents, ‘summer people’ and boaters alike, and provided first jobs for generations of local youth. 

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to represent Colchester and Grand Isle County in Montpelier for over 42 years, including the last 39 in the Vermont State Senate. Each of those days I considered it an honor that Vermonters have trusted me with their stories and had faith that I would act on their behalf, regardless of parity affiliation and politics.”

Another Malletts Bay store owner/legislator, Republican Rep. Pat Brennan, told VDC this morning that “today is a sad day not only for people in the Colchester – Grand Isle district but for all Vermonters. No one has done more for the people of Colchester and all of Vermont than Senator Mazza , I had the opportunity to work with Dick on Transportation matters for over 14 years. I have always sought out his advice and expertise and will miss that wealth of knowledge that he so eagerly shared. Sen. Mazza, it has been my pleasure.”

Rep. Sarita Austin (D-Colchester) agrees with Brennan. “In 1993 my husband and I bought a small summer camp in Colchester and in 2012 I decided to tear down the camp and build a year round  home on its footprint. Senator Mazza has always been my Senator and I am so grateful to have a person of his caliber, kindness, and integrity representing myself and the others citizens of Colchester and Grand Isle. To say that he will be missed in the State House would be a huge understatement. To me he represented the very best qualities of a representative-he always had time to listen to your point of view and he understood the political landscape under the Dome and how he could influence legislation that would benefit his constituents and all Vermonters.”

Again, I am so very thankful for  his service and now wish him peace.

Former Rep. Inge Schaefer (R-Colchester) – also founder of the Colchester Chronicle – said her best memories of Mazza aren’t from the State House, but from the back office of the store.

“We served together for a while in the legislature – he was always supportive and encouraging. But it is the Dick Mazza in his store – usually wearing an apron – that comes to mind. If I needed information for a story for the Colchester Chronicle or Colchester News Magazine or was asking for a donation of pies or whatever for a church event, he would stop whatever he was doing and say, ‘Sure, come in the office’ and five minutes later, the matter would be settled. That supportive attitude has not been lost on his son, Mike, who owns Mike’s Auto Parts across the road from Dick’s General Store – ‘like father, like son’ one could say. We’re blessed in Colchester to have the Dick Mazza family as part of our community. Thank you, Dick and Dolly and God bless you all at this difficult time.” Inge Schaefer

Gov. Scott offered his thoughts:

“It would be difficult to find a Vermonter who has been more impactful, committed or dedicated to public service over the past four decades than Senator Dick Mazza.

 “When I was first elected to the State Senate 24 years ago, one person, Senator Mazza, immediately took me under his wing. It didn’t matter that I was a Republican and he was a Democrat. He put his faith and trust in me, as I did with him. He hasn’t left my side in the two decades since.

 “It’s hard to put into words just how effective Senator Mazza has been in Montpelier. He knows when to speak up, and when to do so deliberately. And when he does, everybody listens. Senator Mazza has had the unique ability to command the respect and attention of his fellow senators and beyond. He has often been described as the ‘Conscience of the Senate,’ a perfect summary of the man he is.

“The Senate will not be the same without his humor, enthusiasm, practicality and dedication.”

I have known Dick Mazza for more than 60 years, since my family moved to Malletts Bay when I was three. During my 15 years as the publisher of the Colchester Chronicle, I saw his constant local good works on behalf of the community. He would have been a pillar of the community even if he wasn’t a state senator.

 More than most elected politicians, Mazza truly put people and policies over party. He was often numbered among the ‘blue dog’ Democrats voting with the Republicans on more ‘centrist’ issues. During my many conversations with him, he only got mad at me once: after I’d written an editorial blaming one major party for the latest batch of state woes. Although mindful of tradition and local history, he was always focused on tangible, cost-effective ways to make life better in Colchester and the rest of the state. 

Even in his letter, Mazza is looking forward:

“It is my hope that whoever you appoint to represent the citizen in these districts will continue to have their best interest at heart and be an involved servant. I am happy to assist with the transition process in any way I can.’