There are things that happen like clockwork in late August. Kids head back to school, people start making plans for Labor Day weekend and Sam Seibert celebrates another birthday.
Joined by generations of family and friends, the retired San Jose fire captain had his 106th birthday party Tuesday at the San Jose Fire Museum downtown on Market Street. The festivities have become an annual tradition in the museum, a reunion for the massive family that includes Seibert’s relatives as well as his brothers and sisters from the department he served until his retirement in 1976.
“The years have been good to me,” said Seibert, who often gets around these days in a motorized chair, but hasn’t lost any of his charm. He happily showed off the temporary tattoo on his right forearm with his photo and a “Happy 106th birthday” message. His caregiver, Sainimili Matanatabu, said he stays active doing daily exercises, walking and talking to people.
Seibert is most likely the oldest living firefighter in the United States, following the 2024 death of New Jersey firefighter Vincent Dransfield at age 110, and he’s definitely now the most long-lived San Jose firefighter.
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Lawrence Campbell, a retired battalion chief who retired in the 1960s and close friend 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,” said San Jose Fire Museum President John McMillan who joined the department in 1974, two years before Seibert retired. “Sam always wanted to catch Lawrence.”
Seibert’s history and that of the department are intertwined. He opened the old Station No. 1 on Market Street that now serves as the San Jose Fire Museum and includes an exhibit of Seibert’s personal effects. The museum, which is not yet regularly open to the public, includes a large mural by artist Bill Jujevich — commissioned by Seibert and museum supporter Rob Bettencourt. The mural depicts the 1955 Pacific Hardware fire on The Alameda. The massive blaze was the city’s largest fire for decades and required the work of 77 firefighters — including Seibert — to contain.
“He was at that fire,” McMillan said. “It’s an important part of his history, Station One’s history and the department’s history.”
Seibert told the crowd to get ready for next year’s 107th birthday party — and now he’s planning to make it to 110.
STONE’S BIG SENDOFF: The good-natured “boos” were plentiful Saturday night as a crowd of about 280 people gathered at the Santa Clara Marriott for former Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone’s retirement party.
Dubbed an “assessment” of his 30 years in the office, Stone was lightly roasted by a series of speakers that included Santa Clara County Executive James Williams, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, former Santa Clara County Supervisor Dianne McKenna, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, who slipped out early but left a video message.
The evening — put together by a team led by Deputy Assessor Autumn Young; Lori Lammle, Stone’s secretary; and Stone’s wife, Carmen — looked back on Stone’s 47-year career in public office, going back to his days on the Sunnyvale City Council. No stone was left uncovered, from his fashionable wardrobe and his steadfast support for the arts in Santa Clara County to his passion for sports and his long involvement with the San Jose Rotary Club.
“I know now not every position I took was popular. I earned a few serious boos along the way,” said Stone, who said he relied on core values — discipline, commitment, urgency, conviction and integrity — throughout his life. “I can say with certainty that every decision made was with care, courage and conviction.”
CARS, BLUES AND BEER: We’ve got a holiday weekend coming up, but the San Jose calendar is packed with events — including a couple of free ones that are worth highlighting.
Over in Alviso, classic cars will be on display from 7 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday on North First Street for the 19th annual Santos Family Car Show, which supports the Santa Visits Alviso program. That’s the same day as Little Village’s Big Easy Block Party & Beer Festival, which Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri has transported to San Jose’s Little Italy this year. That’s eight bands on two stages, 40-plus beers and lots of food available at the surrounding restaurants, starting at 11 a.m.