A memorial service will be held for the late Cathedral City Councilman Mark Carnevale next month at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City, officials announced Wednesday.
The service will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 15 at 36850 Pickfair St. It will be open to the public.
Carnevale, who died Sunday, served on the council for more than a decade.
Deputies responded to a report of an attempted suicide shortly before 6:50 p.m. Sunday in the 40 block of International Boulevard in Rancho Mirage, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Upon arrival at the residence, deputies and paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but Carnevale was pronounced dead at the scene.
“There is no evidence of foul play,” Vickers said.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend, Mark Carnevale,” Mayor Nancy Ross said in a statement. “He contributed so much to our community and was a tireless advocate for Cathedral City. He will be greatly missed.”
Carnevale was first elected to the City Council in November 2014 and served as mayor twice — from 2019-2020 following the death of Mayor Gregory Pettis and again from 2023-2024. He was serving his third term representing District 3.
Officials said Carnevale ran on principals, including listening to his constituents, improving police and fire services and increasing economic development opportunities throughout the city.
He was credited for the revitalization of the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District, championing the development of the city’s amphitheatre and Agua Caliente Casino in the city, and supporting the transformation of downtown area.
He was on several committees, such as the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive committee, CVAG Homeless, CVAG Transportation and Riverside County Transportation Commission. He was an alternate to the League of California Cities — Riverside County Division Executive Board, Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau and Southern California Association of Governments.
His eatery, Nicolino’s Italian Restaurant, has operated since 1985 in Cathedral City, with three generations of family members preparing cuisines, including Nick, and was honored once by the Chamber of Commerce for “Restaurants of the Year” and “California Small Business of the Year.”
It was through the restaurant that Carnevale was able to give to local organizations, including the city’s Boys and Girls Club, the city’s Evening Rotary, High School programs and other community organizations.
After his death, all flags at city facilities were lowered to half-staff in his honor.
The council will have 60 days from Sunday to address the vacancy in District 3, officials said.
Carnevale is survived by his wife Rhonda, his children Karrie and Nick, five grandchildren and numerous extended family members.