Redwood City mourns the loss of magazine publisher

It’s hard to find a Redwood City organization or event that Penna was not a part of, or a local who did not know him.

A lifelong resident and native of the city, Penna was the longtime owner and publisher of The Spectrum Magazine, one of the original board members of the Police Activities League — which offers youth programs — and co-owner of local businesses Stuff on the Square gift shop and the Main and Elm cafe. He was a supporter of the city’s nonprofit and business communities in general, a regular at community events and a fundraiser for many of them, including the city’s downtown concert series. He also helped raise $11.5 million to restore Carrington Hall at Sequoia High School, his alma mater. Penna was born on Hilton Street a couple of blocks from the city’s downtown and also attended Hoover Elementary School and Cañada College.

“He deeply cared about the city and its people, especially the ones not necessarily in the spotlight and he’d highlight them in his magazine and really wanted the best for everyone in Redwood City,” said Mayor Ian Bain. “He had a big presence in the community and will be sorely missed by many, including me. It’s going to be strange not seeing him at our key events.” 

Councilman John Seybert also struggled to imagine a Redwood City without Penna.

“He was everywhere, he was a fixture in my life and in the city and it’s like a monument has been taken away,” he said. “He was full of life and everywhere he’d greet you with a big hug and smile on his face. An icon of Redwood City is gone.”

Steven Paul Penna, 59, is survived by his five siblings, including brother Gary Penna, who lives in Menlo Park, his brother Phil Penna of Santa Rosa, his brother John Penna of San Ramon, his sister Cathy Penna of Santa Rosa and sister Susan Penna of Redwood City. Steve Penna was the youngest.

“I don’t think a lot of us who knew him well knew the scope of his outreach,” said Paula Uccelli, founder of the Uccelli Foundation and longtime friend to Penna. “He did some wonderful things with kids, wanting to give a hand up rather than a handout, to help kids reach their full potential.”

Uccelli described Penna as the type of friend who was always available and always supportive, a quality that seemed to define his personal as well as work life.

“He told me two weeks ago that we never have vacation. It was always about empowering the people around him and championing the children of the community,” said Ivan Martinez, executive director of the Police Activities League. “Steve was one of those guys who said what was on his mind and heart. If he felt like things needed to be said he was never afraid and ultimately he always wanted to fight for good.”

Martinez certainly wasn’t the only person to notice Penna’s strong convictions, which he of course offered up in his monthly column.

“He challenged me on a number of things politically and it was always interesting to hear his perspective and he made me think and look at things in a different way,” Bain said. “We could still be friends even when we disagreed and just have a beer and hangout.”

Martinez added that Penna’s bright smile and booming voice would take over every room he occupied, and that he wore eye-catchingly large basketball shoes.

“I’ll seriously miss those gigantic shoes walking around town everywhere. Those are big shoes that need to be filled in our community,” he said.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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