When Eric Tognazzini passed away from cancer on May 20, 2011, San Benito County mourned. He was only 64 years old, but he had somehow managed to become known, loved and an inspiration for an amazing number of people. His smile and friendly wave greeted everyone he passed as he rode around Hollister on his three-wheeled bike, collecting aluminum cans for his recycling business. On any day of the week, Eric could be seen around Downtown Hollister. From Nino’s Pizzeria to Baywood Creamery, from Public Drive-In Market to Schipper’s, from Ladd’s Hardware to Muenzer’s Sporting Goods, Eric was part of Hollister itself.
Eric was born June 1, 1946, at Hazel Hawkins Hospital in Hollister. His parents were Alfred and Jane Flint Tognazzini, his mother being a descendant of an early San Benito County pioneering family. Eric was born with cerebral palsy but he never let his handicap slow him down. He attended Sacred Heart School with the other kids, where his beautiful smile and positive way of looking at life endeared him to students and teachers alike. As he grew up, he roamed Hollister on his three-wheeler, making friends wherever he went. It was often said that he never met a stranger!
Despite his disability, working and being a productive member of the community was important to Eric. Finally figuring out a job that he was able to do … he opened up his own recycling business on wheels! He persuaded other people to start saving cans, too, and to drop them off at his home on Seventh Street.
Eric was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan. Later in life, he became a popular supporter of the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club. He was a member of Hope Services, and enjoyed participating in the local wheelchair soccer program. He attended numerous community functions on a regular basis, and was the honored recipient of the “Spirit of Hollister” award.
When Eric passed away, he left a huge void. He had become an important visual and inspirational part of Hollister, and he was greatly missed. On Aug. 3, 2011, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors presented a formal proclamation to Eric’s family “for sharing him with a community that loved him, cared for him, and was enriched by his presence.” Eric was also honored with a similar proclamation from the City of Hollister in September 2011. On Nov. 12, 2011, the Hollister Free Wheelers Power Soccer Club honored Eric by retiring his jersey, No. 16.
In the summer of 2011, a group of residents connected by their love for Eric formed a committee in order to find a more formal way to remember Eric. These original committee members—Ken Bettencourt, Dave Brigantino, Jamie Frusetta, Kim Harman, Don Kelley, Mary Larson, Gordon Machado, Bob Poelker, Vince Pryor and Mark Tognazzini—started a community-funded project whose mission is to commission a life-sized bronze statue of Eric on his three-wheeler to be placed in Downtown Hollister.
The committee went to the Community Foundation for San Benito County, where they opened the Eric Tognazzini Memorial Fund. The foundation, a 501(c)3, administers the fund and has been invaluable in helping advise the committee. With the help of more than 350 county residents, the fund has been able to raise more than $51,000. The life-sized statue was sculpted by Sean M. Monaghan of Bronze Works in Santa Cruz.
On Sept. 10, the Hollister City Council voted to put Eric’s statue on the ease side of the downtown parking garage next to the lawn. The completed public art sculpture will be gifted to the City of Hollister and will stand forever to remind us of Eric’s cheerful optimism in the face of adversity.
Both large cities and small town across America have turned to public art as a way to individualize and promote their towns, while at the same time instilling a sense of pride in the community. Towns such as Rochester, N.Y. , and Chattanooga, Tenn., have begun public art programs with sculptures to beautify their streets and sidewalks and to encourage tourism.
The bronze sculpture of Eric is projected to be a source of inspiration and pride for the citizens of San Benito County. Eric overcame the burden of his disabilities with his outgoing personality and positive attitude toward life. He was part of Hollister and he deserves to be remembered. Through this memorial fund, Eric’s smile and wave will forever touch the lives and hearts of the people of San Benito County.
If you are interested in learning more about the memorial fund, go to tognazzinimemorial.com.
