Norman Mineta Funeral, Obituary, Cause Of Death

The first Asian-American Cabinet Secretary, Norman Mineta, Norman Mineta, died on May 3, 2022, at age 90, after suffering from a heart ailment.

Mineta had broken racial barriers for Asian Americans by serving in high-profile government posts and ordering commercial flights grounded after the 9/11 terror attacks as the nation’s federal transportation secretary.

John Flaherty, Mineta’s former chief of staff, said Mineta died peacefully at his home surrounded by family in Edgewater, Md.

“He was an extraordinary public servant and a very dear friend”, Flaherty added.

Mineta was also was the first Asian American to become a federal Cabinet secretary, serving under both Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush.

Bush went on to award Mineta the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In a statement, the former president said Mineta was “a wonderful American story about someone who overcame hardship and prejudice to serve in the United States Army, Congress, and the Cabinet of two Presidents.”

Mineta is survived by wife, Danealia “Deni” Brantner, 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.