George Francis Kincaid died May 30 at the age of 99 after a
massive stroke.
George Francis Kincaid died May 30 at the age of 99 after a massive stroke.
He was born on Nov. 13, 1905 in Tres Pinos to Charles William Kincaid of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of San Jose and Marie Beguew-Kincaid of French-Basque descent and a native of France. He came from a large family of 10 girls and five boys.
While growing up and attending local schools, George began his first job as a grocery clerk and delivery boy, for grocery store owners Jake and Herman Leonard, earning 5 cents an hour. At age 20, George began working as a mechanic for Faling and Penna’s Garage in Tres Pinos. During these years, he earned 35 cents an hour and helped support his family after the passing of his father.
George was the only one of his siblings to follow in the footsteps of his parents as a politician. His father was the constable and judge in Tres Pinos for many years and also worked as a blacksmith. After his father passed, his mother was appointed Justice of the Peace of Tres Pinos. She was the first woman judge in Tres Pinos and the second woman to hold a judgeship in San Benito County.
In 1928, George was appointed the Deputy Constable of the Tres Pinos Judicial District at the age of 23. He also purchased Faling and Penna’s Garage and renamed it Pinnacles Garage. As a gas station and mechanic shop, the business grew to include a Studebaker and Jeep dealership and a 24-hour towing and road service business.
In 1929, George was appointed Deputy Sheriff of San Benito County. He began his duties under the guidance of one of the area’s most notable sheriffs, Jerry Jake Croxan of Hollister. He later served under Sheriffs Manuel Hubler and Art Fruits.
In 1932, the California Division of Forestry opened its first truck station at Pinnacles Garage. George maintained and operated the trucks for CDF and was appointed Fire Warden under California State Ranger Hy Wyman. In all, George held the position for 21 years.
At the age of 37, George was elected to the office of Constable of the Tres Pinos Judicial District in 1942. He won re-election three times and served a total of 16 years in the office.
During the years that followed, George continued to expand the Pinnacles Garage. He added the tow truck element of the business and held a National Automobile Club contract for forty years and, in 1955, added a second tow truck that held a California State Automobile Association contract for 27 years.
George was elected to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors in 1958 at the age of 53. He served six terms before retiring at the age of 73 after 24 years of public service.
George retired in 1982 at the age of 77 and sold the Pinnacles Garage. In retirement, he found more time to pursue his hobbies and interests. An avid reader, George had a love of learning. He also enjoyed hunting deer, elk, wild boars, ducks and geese. George loved to cook, especially for big events and parties. He was still cooking and canning food for family and friends until recently.
He was a self-educated and self-made man to be admired. He gave everything of himself to make his community a better place to live. Behind every great man is a wonderful woman, his family said, so thank you Ida for being a faithful, loving, supportive and unselfish wife.
George is survived by his wife, Ida Eleanor Panattoni-Kincaid of Tres Pinos; daughter Georgia and husband, James Drake, of Milpitas; brother Donald Kincaid of Carson City, Nev.; sister Susie Saunders of Carson City; granddaughter Gianna Drake of Milpitas; and several nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his son George Kincaid; three brothers; and nine sisters.
Visitation will be held at 2pm Thursday at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral home.The Rosary will be held at 7pm Thursday at the mortuary, followed by a memorial service at 7:15pm by the Hollister Lodge No. 1436 BPOE. Family and friends will leave the mortuary chapel at 9:15am Friday for a Mass of Resurrection at Immaculate Conception Church at 10am. Entombment will follow at Calvary Mausoleum.
Donations are preferred to the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation or Mabie Skilled Nursing Center Southside.
