The father of gay San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Leno died Friday, April 6. Manny Leno was 97.
Earlier in the week Leno had flown to Boca Raton, Florida, to be at his father's bedside along with his sisters, Jamie and Janet Leno. On Thursday Leno's campaign had released a statement to explain his advance from the campaign trail, saying his father had been expected "to pass away from health complications in the coming days."
Leno is expected to return to San Francisco in the next few days, following his father's funeral, according to his campaign.
"Mark's friends, supporters, and campaign staff are deeply saddened for the Leno family," stated the campaign. "While Mark is with his family during this difficult time, our team remains hard at work here in San Francisco talking to voters in every neighborhood about our campaign to shake up City Hall."
The statement added, "With an incredible, dedicated team of staff members and volunteers, the Leno for Mayor Campaign is stronger every day. We send our deepest sympathies to Mark and the entire Leno family, and we wish Manny a peaceful journey onward."
Manny and Esther Leno raised their three children in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and were together for close to 66 years. Esther Leno died in 2013 at the age of 91 due to complications from Alzheimer's.