Thoughts & Prayers – Angelo Mozilo, Trustee Emeritus

It is with sadness that I share news of the passing of Angelo Mozilo, Trustee Emeritus and father of current Board Chair, Christy Larsen (BA ’88), this past Sunday, July 16th. A longstanding supporter of Gonzaga University and a close friend of former president and chancellor Fr. Bernard J. Coughlin, S.J., Angelo served as an active member of Gonzaga University’s Board of Trustees from November 1993 to December 2006. In February of 2007, he was elected emeritus in recognition of his distinguished service to the Board and university.

The first of five siblings, Angelo was born in the Bronx in December of 1938. His parents emigrated from Italy and his father was a butcher — Angelo worked in the butcher shop to help pay for his Catholic education at Mount Saint Michael Academy in New York City. He also worked as a messenger for a mortgage servicing company — the same company he went to work for after he earned his degree in marketing and philosophy from Fordham University in 1960. Nine years later, he and a colleague founded Countrywide Credit Industries, which would later become Countrywide Financial. Throughout his career, Angelo was passionate about removing barriers to home ownership, especially for populations that had been historically disadvantaged and underserved. He became a well-known and sought-after leader who served on several professional boards and received countless national awards and recognitions for his work and service. He also received honorary doctorates from both Pepperdine and Gonzaga universities.

Together with his beloved wife Phyllis, Angelo raised a family that includes five children: Elizabeth, Mark, Christy (’88), Eric (GIF, ‘97) and David (’97). Angelo and Phyllis were married for over half a century before Phyllis’ untimely passing in 2017. Philanthropy is an important value to the Mozilo family; the foundation that bears their name has had a significant impact for countless individuals through scholarships, community service programs, health support, mentoring, coaching, and guidance. Their five children and eleven grandchildren continue to carry forward the torch of benefaction and commitment to community Angelo and Phyllis together set alight so many years ago.

Always an advocate for learning based on practical experience, Angelo visited Gonzaga numerous times over the past decade, lecturing on his experiences and perspective on the financial crisis of 2008. I am deeply grateful for the Mozilo family’s support of students and student scholarships; the Mozilo Chair in the School of Business Administration; their support of many facilities projects across campus; and their significant support of our program in Florence, Italy including the facility that bears their family name. During the recent pandemic, Angelo, together with Christy and her husband Mike, sponsored the development of a beautiful exterior courtyard, including a fountain created in memory of Phyllis. At the core of the Mozilo family’s support is the focus on making a positive, long-lasting impact on individuals’ lives.

Gonzaga University joins with the Mozilo family in mourning the loss of Angelo Mozilo — a pioneer in the mortgage lending industry, and an individual whose care and concern for making the world a more educated, equitable, and creative place was rivaled only by his love for his wife, his family and longtime friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mozilo family and their many friends as they navigate this difficult time.

Please keep Christy and her entire family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss and sadness.