Lawyer, Activist Gary Lovell of Newport Beach Dies at 70

Gary Bill Lovell, an antitrust and trade regulation lawyer and environmental activist, has died at his home in Newport Beach. He was 70.

Lovell graduated from UC Berkeley, received a law degree from the Hastings College of Law, and finished a postdoctoral fellowship at New York University.

As a lawyer, Lovell was known for taking pro bono cases.

“We don’t see these kinds of people anymore,” said Judy Rosener, Lovell’s sister-in-law. “He cared about justice and cared about fairness.”

Though he was born in Los Angeles in 1926, Lovell spent much of his boyhood in Newport Beach, where he later formed environmental groups to preserve local areas.

He also won various local tennis and handball tournaments and competitions throughout his life.

But his most outstanding quality was his modesty, said his wife of 42 years, Bobby.

“He did all these things quietly, and never needed to boast or talk about it,” she said.

He also was popular for his omelets, she said.

“He made these omelets with broccoli and spinach, and everyone would taste it,” she said. “They all became devotees.”

Lovell died May 15 of a rare disease, reprogressive supranuclear palsy.

He also is survived by four children, Steven and Sam Lovell of Newport Beach; Marge Lovell of Oakland and Robin Camacho Lovell of San Francisco; a brother, Hap Lovell; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sunday at the Lovell home.