Longtime Los Padres National Forest employee and Santa Barbara native Joe Pasinato died on February 16 at age 63, less than two years after retiring from the forest following 28 years of service. For many years, Pasinato, who was raised on the Eastside and attended both S.B. Junior High and SBHS, acted as a de facto spokesperson and “face of the forest,” working the front desk at headquarters and often delivering crucial news to the public during wildfires. A memorial service is being planned for May.
