Funeral services held for former Assemblymember Brian Nestande

Brian Nestande died at the age of 60 after being found dead in his home in Palm Desert last week. There was no word on the cause of death.

Nestande's funeral was held at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert.

“He just loved giving back to the community that was always in his blood, and always wanted to provide and serve his community here in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County and the State of California," said Marc Troast, president of Troast and Associates.

Nestande represented the Coachella Valley in the California State Assembly from 2008 until 2014. He was in public service throughout his life, beginning his career in the early 90s with former Rep. Michael Huffington, R-Santa Barbara.

“It's leaders like him that make a difference in life,” said Steve Garvey, U.S. Congressional candidate and baseball legend.  

In 1994, Nestande managed the successful Congressional campaign of then-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono. He was Bono’s Chief of Staff until his death in early 1998. Nestande was chief of staff for Rep. Mary Bono Mack from 1998-2000.

He left politics in the early to mid-2000s to form a government relations firm in Palm Desert.

In 2014, Nestande ran for Congress, facing off against Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz in his first reelection campaign.

Nestande was known for his ability to bring people together across party lines, which stands true today. 

“The amount of people he impacted positively and it was really the spirit of working together to solve problems for the people. That's what Brian is always about. And I think, you know, that's just been evidenced by the people who showed up here today," said Assemblymember Greg Wallis, who also served as Nestande's campaign manager in 2014

“A good man, a humane individual who cared about people. And that showed me a lot, even though he might have had an R behind his last name. I mean, he could have said the same about me, I had a deep behind me. But that didn't matter. It didn't matter to him,” said Supervisor Manuel Perez.

Perez delivered Nestande’s eulogy. He says that Brian, who he affectionately called “ buddy boy” was a friend and ally. 

“Us being so opposites we figured out and man is how to figure out to get along, to work together, to compromise, to dialogue with one another. And to finally say it is what it is, and then we would have dinner, we would, we would just laugh it off for a while we take on the issue of the next day. I never saw him as an enemy as a foe as an individual. That was mean-spirited. As a matter of fact, it's quite the contrary,” Perez said.

In Lieu, of flowers, contributions are kindly welcomed to support the essential services for children and families in the Coachella Valley Through Olive Crest.  Donations can be directed to Olive Crest online: www.olivecrest.org/coachella-valley

Nestande is survived by his wife Gina, son Hayden, daughter Sophia, stepchildren Sadie, Tad, Mason, Molly, and Savana.