Patricio Mekis

Patricio Bryan Mekis Spikin (14 November 1928 – 27 January 1979) was a Chilean politician, civil engineer and sports leader who served as deputy (1969–1973), mayor of the cities of Rancagua and Santiago, and president of O'Higgins de Rancagua.

He served as a deputy in 1973, only until the dissolution of Congress following the coup d’état that same year. In 1976, during Augusto Pinochet regime, he was appointed Mayor of Santiago, where his administration carried out major urban works and the restoration of historic landmarks.

He was the son of Federico Mekis and Emilia Spikin. He completed his primary and secondary studies at The Grange School, Santiago, which he concluded at The Ford Merchandising School in the United States. Married to Josefina Martínez Moreno, he had ten children.

Since 1938, he was a member of the 1st Fire Company of Rancagua, serving as its director for five years. In 1949, he was appointed secretary of the Rancagua Fire Department, a position he held until 1951, when he joined the board of directors until 1956. The following year, he was granted the title of honorary director. Today, the hall of honor of the 1st Fire Company of Rancagua bears his name in recognition of his firefighting career.

In the professional sphere, he worked in the industrial and commercial sector. In 1947, he joined his father's firm, «Federico Mekis y Cía», where he served as partner and manager, as well as in the Ford, Insa, and Esso distribution agency in the O’Higgins Province and for Ford in Colchagua.

Among other activities, in 1955 he founded the O’Higgins Fútbol Club, where he became its honorary president starting in 1957. Later, in 1962, he contributed to the creation of the Rancagua Country Club, where he held the position of vice president until 1964.

Mekis began his public career in Rancagua, serving as mayor from 1964 to 1968, and also during a previous period from 1961 to 1963. In parallel, he was president of O'Higgins between 1956 and 1964, during the club's consolidation in professional football.

In 1969, he was elected deputy for the 10th Departmental Group (San Fernando and Santa Cruz), holding the seat until the dissolution of Congress following the 1973 coup. During the Pinochet regime, he was appointed Mayor of Santiago (1976–1979).

In 1973, he was reelected deputy for the 1973–1977 term; however, he remained in office only until the dissolution of the National Congress of Chile following the 1973 coup d’état. In 1976, during the military regime, he was appointed by the Government Junta as Mayor of Santiago.

During his administration, the Paseo Ahumada was built and the La Bolsa neighborhood was renovated; Estado, Tenderini, and Phillips streets and the small square in front of the Municipal Theater were remodeled; the Cousiño Palace was transformed into a museum; and the Casa Colorada museum was restored, among other works.^[1][2]

He died on 27 January 1979 when part of a balcony collapsed at his summer house in Vichuquén, Maule Region. A statue representing him was placed outside the Municipal Theater of Santiago.^[3]

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