Larkspur councilman Kevin Carroll dies at 73

Kevin Carroll, a Larkspur City Council member and one of the city’s biggest advocates for rent control, has died.

Mr. Carroll, who had served on the council since December 2022, was 73 years old, said his ex-wife, Glenda Carroll. Mr. Carroll died of lung cancer.

“He was really dedicated to the community around him, the working people,” said Carroll, a resident of San Rafael. “He worked hard for them and he was delighted to do so. He loved being part of the council.”

Mr. Carroll’s trademark issue, renter protections, spurred him to run in the 2022 election.

“I was hoping the City Council would join all the other cities in Marin and Sonoma County with rent stabilization,” Carroll told the IJ before the election. “That didn’t work, so that’s how I got involved and decided I needed to run.”

Mr. Carroll was born in San Francisco and lived in Marin for about 40 years, Glenda Carroll said. He was a resident of the Marin RV Park in Larkspur and the longtime owner of a taxi service called Marin Checker Taxi and Sausalito Taxi. He held an associate’s degree in labor studies from City College of San Francisco.

Larkspur officials said Mr. Carroll’s blue-collar politics were rare in the community.

“I believe the City Council was Kevin’s passion, and he loved having the opportunity to address the needs of citizens who he felt didn’t otherwise have a voice on the council,” said Mayor Scott Candell. “I will miss his passion and his friendship.”

Gabe Paulson, a Larkspur councilmember, said he and Mr. Carroll worked closely on Measure D, the ballot measure that cemented rent control in the city.

“He always did his homework, he always cared and he always made a difference,” Paulson said. “I will miss him as a colleague and a friend.”

City Manager Dan Schwarz said Mr. Carroll helped establish the Marin Special Education Parent-Teacher Association.

“Though Kevin’s tenure on the City Council was brief, his thoughtful engagement with the city dates back many years. He was a tireless advocate for all Larkspur residents and never shied away from asking tough questions,” Schwarz said. “I will really miss seeing Kevin’s iconic yellow taxi cab parked at City Hall.”

From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Carroll served on the San Rafael City Schools Board of Trustees. Bruce Raful, a member of the board from 1991 to 1999, said Mr. Carroll was an advocate for special needs children and championed their welfare in public schools.

“He felt that the school district wasn’t doing enough,” Raful said. “I think Kevin had an accomplishment on the school board — to pay more attention for what we were doing to deliver curriculum to special needs kids.”

Supervisor Mary Sackett, who served on Transportation Authority of Marin with Mr. Carroll, said he “brought a perspective forward that is otherwise unrepresented.”

“The street-level cab driver has a view of our society that we don’t often hear from,” Sackett said.

Supervisor Katie Rice, whose district includes Larkspur, said Mr. Carroll “brought a lived experience and perspective to the public dais that we don’t often hear from here in Marin.”

“He was a fine, honest, authentic advocate for people and causes that often do not have as resonant a voice,” Rice said.

Joan Lundstrom, president of the Larkspur Community Foundation and a former mayor, said she met Mr. Carroll just after he was elected.

“Later, as a former mayor, watching City Council meetings, I was again impressed how well informed he was in listening and making judgments,” she said. “Sorry he left us too soon, as we need more caring, knowledgeable people like Kevin serving on city councils.”

Vice Mayor Catherine Way said Mr. Carroll was an advocate for older residents.

“He came from part of the Larkspur community that doesn’t usually sit on the City Council and I appreciate his perspective,” she said.

Way added that the council will discuss to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Carroll is survived by his sons Edward Carroll and Frederick Carroll; his brother Michael Carroll; his sister Anne Pelletier; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is not planned at this time, Glenda Carroll said.