Gary DiSano; helped lead Rose Parade

A volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses Association since 1972, Mr. DiSano was elected to its executive committee in 2002. As is customary, he became the association’s president eight years later.

For the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade, Mr. DiSano chose the theme “2010: A Cut Above the Rest.’’

Both the New Year’s Day Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game will be held in his honor.

“Gary was totally dedicated to our organization,’’ said association executive vice president Jeffrey Throop, who will take over for Mr. DiSano as acting president. “He loved it. He personally sacrificed to carry out his responsibilities, and he was always supportive of the people he supervised. Gary brought a strong sense of decorum and congeniality to every meeting he was involved in.’’

Even when he joined the association’s executive committee in 2002, Mr. DiSano knew he might not live long enough to wear the president’s traditional red coat and ride in an official car on parade day.

Mr. DiSano, according to a 2002 story in the Los Angeles Times, was diagnosed with a rare Hurthle cell carcinoma in December 1999 and had his thyroid and a hip removed in 2000.

Because the cancer does not respond to chemotherapy, the Times reported, “DiSano began an aggressive therapy that used massive doses of Vitamin A to literally change his cells.’’

With his pending presidency of the Tournament of Roses eight years away, Mr. DiSano told the Times, “I guess you could say I’m an interesting choice.’’

In 1972, Mr. DiSano was a recently discharged Navy officer who had served in Vietnam. He was living near Pasadena and feeling bored when a neighbor, who was a Tournament of Roses member, suggested he volunteer.