There are issues that occur like clockwork in late August. Children head again to high school, folks begin planning for Labor Day weekend and Sam Seibert celebrates one other birthday.
Joined by generations of household and associates, the retired San Jose fireplace captain had his 106th birthday celebration Tuesday on the San Jose Hearth 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 relations in addition to his brothers and sisters from the division he served till his retirement in 1976.
Sam Seibert, retired Hearth Captain with the San Jose Hearth Division, celebrates his 106th birthday and winks in entrance of a mural he sponsored of the Cheim Lumber & Pacific {Hardware} Hearth at San Jose Hearth 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 Hearth Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Sam Seibert, retired Hearth Captain with the San Jose Hearth Division, celebrates his 106th birthday at San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. This San Jose resident was born on Aug. twenty seventh, 1919, and is the oldest identified residing San Jose firefighter (retired) and Founder Emeritus of the San Jose Hearth Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Sam Seibert, retired Hearth Captain with the San Jose Hearth Division, blows his candles out with Sainimili Matanatabu, his caregiver, standing behind him throughout his birthday celebration at San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. This San Jose resident was born on Aug. twenty seventh, 1919, and is the oldest identified residing San Jose firefighter (retired) and Founder Emeritus of the San Jose Hearth Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Retired San Jose fireplace captain Sam Seibert will get able to blow out the candles on his cake at a one hundred and fifth birthday celebration held on the San Jose Hearth Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE, CA – AUGUST 26: Sam Seibert, believed to be the oldest residing retired firefighter within the Bay Space, is greeted by attendees of his one centesimal birthday celebration on the San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2019. (Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE, CA – AUGUST 26: Sam Seibert, believed to be the oldest residing retired firefighter within the Bay Space, poses with a model fitted along with his unique uniform throughout his birthday celebration held on the San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2019. (Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE, CA – AUGUST 26: Sam Seibert, believed to be the oldest residing retired firefighter within the Bay Space, turns into emotional as he’s acknowledged for his volunteering for the San Jose Hearth Museum throughout his one centesimal birthday celebration held on the San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2019. (Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE, CA – AUGUST 26: Sam Seibert, believed to be the oldest residing retired firefighter within the Bay Space, reacts after blowing candles throughout his one centesimal birthday celebration held on the San Jose Hearth Museum in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2019. (Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group)
Retired San Jose Hearth Capt. Sam Seibert celebrated his ninety fifth birthday on Tuesday, Aug. 26. 2014, on the San Jose Hearth Museum, the place he donated or helped restore many items within the assortment.
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Sam Seibert, retired Hearth Captain with the San Jose Hearth Division, celebrates his 106th birthday and winks in entrance of a mural he sponsored of the Cheim Lumber & Pacific {Hardware} Hearth at San Jose Hearth 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 Hearth Museum. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
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“The years have been good to me,” stated Seibert, who typically 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 along with his photograph and a “Happy 106th birthday” message. His caregiver, Sainimili Matanatabu, stated he stays energetic doing each day workout routines, strolling and speaking to folks.
Seibert is probably the oldest residing firefighter in the US, following the 2024 demise of New Jersey firefighter Vincent Dransfield at age 110, and he’s undoubtedly now probably the most long-lived San Jose firefighter.
Lawrence Campbell, a retired battalion chief who retired within the Sixties and shut pal of Seibert’s, lived to be 105. “Last year, when we celebrated his 105th birthday, he made a commitment to everyone that he wanted to surpass Lawrence Campbell,” stated San Jose Hearth Museum President John McMillan who joined the division in 1974, two years earlier than Seibert retired. “Sam always wanted to catch Lawrence.”
Seibert’s historical past and that of the division are intertwined. He opened the outdated Station No. 1 on Market Road that now serves because the San Jose Hearth Museum and contains an exhibit of Seibert’s private results. The museum, which isn’t but usually open to the general public, contains 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 huge 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 fire,” McMillan stated. “It’s an important part of his history, Station One’s history and the department’s history.”
Seibert instructed the gang to prepare for subsequent 12 months’s 107th birthday celebration — 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 folks gathered on the Santa Clara Marriott for former Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone’s retirement occasion.
Dubbed an “assessment” 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 group led by Deputy Assessor Autumn Younger; Lori Lammle, Stone’s secretary; and Stone’s spouse, Carmen — appeared 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 modern 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 know now not every position I took was popular. I earned a few serious boos along the 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 every decision made was with care, courage and conviction.”
CARS, BLUES AND BEER: We’ve acquired a vacation weekend developing, however the San Jose calendar is full of occasions — together with a few free ones which are value highlighting.
Over in Alviso, traditional automobiles will likely 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 Social gathering & Beer Competition, which Poor Home Bistro proprietor Jay Meduri has transported to San Jose’s Little Italy this 12 months. That’s eight bands on two levels, 40-plus beers and many meals out there on the surrounding eating places, beginning at 11 a.m.
