For lifelong resident Eric Tognazzini, it wasn’t hard to come by
a smile. The 64-year-old resident, known for his recycling business
on wheels and an infectious personality, passed away Friday after a
battle with cancer.
For lifelong resident Eric Tognazzini, it wasn’t hard to come by a smile.
The 64-year-old resident, known for his recycling business on wheels and an infectious personality, passed away Friday after a battle with cancer.
Tognazzini was known to most everybody in San Benito County. And if you didn’t know him, it was just a matter of time before you did.
“The smile,” recalled his brother Mark Tognazzini, regarding Eric’s legacy, “and he never forgot anybody.”
Despite his physical challenges – which confined Eric to using a three-wheeled bike for many years before most recently riding an electric wheelchair – he got around the community as much as anybody. Known for his presence riding along Hollister’s sidewalks day in and day out, often alongside his other brother Kirk at local events or businesses, he had an impact on just about everyone around him.
And they always made an impact on him.
“You waved to him once, you talked to him or smiled, and he never forgot,” said his brother, Mark.
Eric Tognazzini grew up in Hollister, attending Sacred Heart School. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Jane Flint Tognazzini, and was survived by his two brothers and a sister, Dorothy Bengtson.
Aside from his recycling business – his family mentioned how he had a deal where he regularly picked up recyclables from Johnny’s Bar & Grill and Paine’s Restaurant – Eric was a big fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers teams. He spent some time with the local wheelchair soccer club and even had the chance to travel out of state for a tournament.
Eric also was part of Hope Services activities and for a time worked three days a week, earning more than $1,100 in one year, his brother Mark said. Another important tradition was Eric’s birthday, June 1.
Hollister resident Bob Poelker, a member of the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club, called Eric “one of my best friends” and he noted how he often brought Tognazzini along with him in his bike’s side car.
“I used to take him out on his birthday, the Fourth of July and Halloween,” Poelker said.
It was his brother Kirk, though, who spent more time with Eric than anyone. The two were more than brothers – they have lived together, too.
Kirk said Eric had a “very good life” and, like himself, was a “social butterfly.”
“He enjoyed life. He lived life to the fullest.”
Eric was dedicated to his recycling business until the end as well. Mark Tognazzini remembered Eric’s recent stay in a rehabilitation center. His brother had brought him a case of soda to drink.
He recently returned and realized Eric had placed a bag on the side of his bed – and it was filled with his empty cans.
“He never let up,” his brother said. “He never let a can go by.”
Services:
Friends may visit on Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. The funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday leaving the funeral home and proceeding to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for a funeral Mass commencing at 11 a.m. The family wants to give special thanks to the caregiver from the past two and a half years, Kim Harmon.
To read his obituary, go here.
