There are issues that occur like clockwork in late August. Youngsters head again to highschool, individuals begin planning for Labor Day weekend and Sam Seibert celebrates one other birthday.
Joined by generations of household and mates, the retired San Jose fireplace captain had his 106th party Tuesday on the San Jose Fireplace Museum downtown on Market Road. The festivities have turn into an annual custom within the museum, a reunion for the huge household that features Seibert’s kin in addition to his brothers and sisters from the division he served till his retirement in 1976.
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Sam Seibert, retired Fireplace Captain with the San Jose Fireplace Division, celebrates his 106th birthday and winks in entrance of a mural he sponsored of the Cheim Lumber & Pacific {Hardware} Fireplace at San Jose Fireplace on the Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Sam Seibert was born on Aug. twenty seventh, 1919, and is the oldest identified residing San Jose firefighter (retired) and Founder Emeritus of the San Jose Fireplace Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
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Sam Seibert, retired Fireplace Captain with the San Jose Fireplace Division, celebrates his 106th birthday and winks in entrance of a mural he sponsored of the Cheim Lumber & Pacific {Hardware} Fireplace at San Jose Fireplace on the Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Sam Seibert was born on Aug. twenty seventh, 1919, and is the oldest identified residing San Jose firefighter (retired) and Founder Emeritus of the San Jose Fireplace Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
“The years have been good to me,” stated Seibert, who usually will get round lately in a motorized chair, however hasn’t misplaced any of his appeal. He fortunately confirmed off the momentary tattoo on his proper forearm together with his picture and a “Pleased 106th birthday” message. His caregiver, Sainimili Matanatabu, stated he stays energetic doing day by day workout routines, strolling and speaking to individuals.
Seibert is almost definitely the oldest residing firefighter in the US, following the 2024 loss of life of New Jersey firefighter Vincent Dransfield at age 110, and he’s positively now essentially the most long-lived San Jose firefighter.
Lawrence Campbell, a retired battalion chief who retired within the Sixties and shut good friend of Seibert’s, lived to be 105. “Final yr, once we celebrated his one hundred and fifth birthday, he made a dedication to everybody that he wished to surpass Lawrence Campbell,” stated San Jose Fireplace Museum President John McMillan who joined the division in 1974, two years earlier than Seibert retired. “Sam at all times wished to catch Lawrence.”
Seibert’s historical past and that of the division are intertwined. He opened the previous Station No. 1 on Market Road that now serves because the San Jose Fireplace Museum and consists of an exhibit of Seibert’s private results. The museum, which isn’t but commonly open to the general public, consists of a big mural by artist Invoice Jujevich — commissioned by Seibert and museum supporter Rob Bettencourt. The mural depicts the 1955 Pacific {Hardware} fireplace on The Alameda. The large blaze was town’s largest fireplace for many years and required the work of 77 firefighters — together with Seibert — to include.
“He was at that fireplace,” McMillan stated. “It’s an vital a part of his historical past, Station One’s historical past and the division’s historical past.”
Seibert advised the group to prepare for subsequent yr’s 107th party — and now he’s planning to make it to 110.
STONE’S BIG SENDOFF: The great-natured “boos” had been plentiful Saturday evening as a crowd of about 280 individuals gathered on the Santa Clara Marriott for former Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone’s retirement get together.
Dubbed an “evaluation” of his 30 years within the workplace, Stone was evenly roasted by a sequence of audio system that included Santa Clara County Govt James Williams, Santa Clara County District Lawyer Jeff Rosen, former Santa Clara County Supervisor Dianne McKenna, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, who slipped out early however left a video message.
The night — put collectively by a crew led by Deputy Assessor Autumn Younger; Lori Lammle, Stone’s secretary; and Stone’s spouse, Carmen — seemed again on Stone’s 47-year profession in public workplace, going again to his days on the Sunnyvale Metropolis Council. No stone was left uncovered, from his trendy wardrobe and his steadfast help for the humanities in Santa Clara County to his ardour for sports activities and his lengthy involvement with the San Jose Rotary Membership.
“I do know not each place I took was widespread. I earned just a few severe boos alongside the best way,” stated Stone, who stated he relied on core values — self-discipline, dedication, urgency, conviction and integrity — all through his life. “I can say with certainty that each resolution made was with care, braveness and conviction.”
CARS, BLUES AND BEER: We’ve obtained a vacation weekend developing, however the San Jose calendar is filled with occasions — together with a few free ones which might be value highlighting.
Over in Alviso, basic vehicles shall be on show from 7 a.m. to three pm. Saturday on North First Road for the nineteenth annual Santos Household Automotive Present, which helps the Santa Visits Alviso program. That’s the identical day as Little Village’s Massive Simple Block Get together & Beer Pageant, which Poor Home Bistro proprietor Jay Meduri has transported to San Jose’s Little Italy this yr. That’s eight bands on two phases, 40-plus beers and many meals accessible on the surrounding eating places, beginning at 11 a.m.
