Additional details were announced Wednesday for a Celebration of Life service scheduled for next week in memory of Cathedral City Councilman Mark Carnevale, who died Nov. 16.
The service will take place from 2-4 p.m. Monday at Mary Pickford Theatre, 36850 Pickfair St.
Deputies responded to a report of an attempted suicide shortly before 6:50 p.m. Nov. 16 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.
The Celebration of Life will be open to the public and will feature tributes from city leaders, community partners, family and friends.
Participating speakers will include Mayor Raymond Gregory, KESQ Chief Meteorologist Patrick Evans, Scott Robinson from the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City and family members Karrie, Nick and Dominic.
The Rev. Clinton Crawshaw of All Souls Church will provide the opening prayer and closing message.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arnold-Canevale Family Foundation, which supports local youth through scholarships, grants and community-focused initiatives. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 4242, Palm Springs, CA 92263.
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.
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 served on numerous committees, such as the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive committee, CVAG Homeless, CVAG Transportation and Riverside County Transportation Commission.
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 is survived by his wife Rhonda, their two children Karrie and Nick and five grandchildren.
His eatery, Nicolino’s Italian Restaurant, has operated since 1985 in Cathedral City, with three generations of family members preparing cuisine, 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.
In Carnevale’s own words regarding his approach to service, he said, “I pride myself on communicating, collaborating and working as a team with council, staff and residents to reach our shared goals. None of our accomplishments were done alone — it was always a team effort.”
For people unable to attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed on the city’s Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/discovercathedralcity.
I was so sad to hear of Mark’s death.
I hope I will be able to attend his memorial.
I have been “out of order” for a very long time.
Now, after two hip replacements I hope to get to his memorial and to go to more future council meetings. I will miss this man who showed me kindness and lent me an ear. Cathedral City has good councilmen and women. My sympathies to all the family members and the public who depended on him.
MARK: RIP