Carbone was president of the Hollister Canning Co.
Eugene Carbone, former president of the Hollister Canning Co. and an active member of the local Elk’s Club since 1947, turns 104 today.
His granddaughter Jeannette Petersen and grandson, also named Eugene Carbone, shared some memories of their grandfather, known to the family as Nano, and a little about his history in the days before his birthday.
Carbone still lives in the San Benito Street house he built. He has help from caretakers, including Delinda Sandoval, who has worked with him since around 1994. Though Carbone has slowed down in the last six months, Petersen said Sandoval keeps him moving and getting out of bed. Sandoval pampers Carbone by warming up his pajamas and a blanket in the dryer before he goes to bed. Despite his age, his wittiness remains and he enjoys visiting with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Petersen said one of his favorite pastimes is playing dominoes with the kids.
His other favorite pastime is enjoying a good meal. Petersen remarked that on a recent visit when they were leaving to go to lunch he requested them to bring back pizza for him. His grandson goes with him to a gourmet luncheon hosted by the Elk’s once a month, and the two planned to attend the lunch in the days before his birthday.
“He looks forward to that,” Petersen said.
For his birthday, the younger Carbone said their mother planned to make lasagna and roast for a family dinner celebration on Saturday.
“He’s really looking forward to seeing my sister’s kids – his great grandkids,” he said. “He’s always asking for them.”
Carbone was born March 2, 1908, and grew up in Oak Park, Ill.
He met his wife Raphaela at the World’s Faire in Chicago in 1932 and moved to Hollister with her around 1933. His wife’s family, the Filices, owned the Hollister Canning Co., now San Benito Foods. He began working there and became president of the company in the mid-1950s. He joined the local Elks Lodge in 1947 and once owned the local A&W restaurant that is located on South Street. He was involved in the Democratic Party and even received an invitation to Harry S. Truman’s inaugural ball.
“I always remember him and my grandma – because he was the president of the canning company and was very involved in the community – they were always very dressed up and always going to nice places,” Petersen said. “They traveled a lot. I remember him telling Brooklyn (a great-granddaughter) that he went to Hawaii 13 times.”
She recalled Sunday dinners as a child.
“I remember him being very giving,” she said. “Every Sunday we had our family dinners here (at his house.) Every Sunday the whole family came and I used to brush his hair for $5. He was very giving … that was a lot.”
Some of Carbone’s family still lives locally, including his grandson who sees him two or three times a week. Petersen said he enjoys spending time with his family, which includes children Paul and Marion; grandchildren Eugene, Jeannette, Robert, Larry and Valary; and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Franchesca, Weston and Antone. His wife, Raphaela, died in 1987.
“When my son was in kindergarten, they had a 100 day of school (celebration,)” Petersen said. “It was the year my grandfather turned 100. They have it around this time in February. He came to my son’s school and just debated with the kids.”
Carbone shared his story of watching Babe Ruth hit a home run at a game in Chicago with his family. The younger Carbone said the story is something of a legend in the family.
“He actually saw Babe Ruth hit the first homerun in an All-Star game in Chicago,” he said. “His boss didn’t want to go because he thought it was novelty thing and didn’t think he would enjoy it so he gave the ticket to my grandfather.”
A family member recently found the ticket stub from the game.
He is still a fan of the White Sox and a fan of 49ers football. His grandson also remembers his affinity for golf.
“I remember golfing with him – him and his buddies,” he said. “It was my early teens and they had the same tee time at Ridgemark. We would golf almost everyday during the summer when I wasn’t in school. For some reason I remember the tee time was 10:10.”
Carbone completed a crossword puzzle each day, which Petersen believes has contributed to his mind staying sharp as he gets older.
“His wittiness and his mind and his memory are just at 104, it’s crazy (how good it is,)” she said.
