Overview

• José María Saponi Mendo, who served as mayor of Cáceres for 12 years (1995–2007), died at age 87 on August 14.
• Hundreds of citizens and officials attended a wake and funeral on August 15 at the chapel of tanatorio San Pedro de Alcántara.
• The Ayuntamiento de Cáceres has decreed three days of official mourning and lowered flags to half-mast on all municipal buildings.
• His cremation is scheduled for August 16 after which his ashes will be placed in the columbario of the Santuario de la Virgen de la Montaña.
• Political and civic leaders have praised his urban modernization and cultural initiatives, and a book of condolences will be available at the Palacio de la Isla on August 18 and 19.