By Sal Pizarro
Bay Area News Group
SAN JOSE, Calif. — It’s always a pleasure to visit downtown San Jose Fire Museumbut being at retired fire Chief Sam Seibert’s birthday party was truly special.
Seibert turned 105 on Monday and was the guest of honor at a party at the Market Street firehouse-turned-museum on Tuesday. He sat on a throne, was serenaded by retired firefighter Jim True and blew out the three candles on his chocolate birthday cake. (Had it been 105, that might have set off some alarms.)
Seibert acknowledged that few people have reached his age and lived as good a life as he has, particularly his work as a firefighter and his involvement in the founding of the San Jose Fire Museum, which includes many of his donated items and even has a gallery dedicated to him in the entrance hall.
“This fire department is very special to everyone who is in this building,” he said. “Most people have come here because they want to see me die, but I’m not leaving for another week or two,” he joked. “It’s a joy to be in this organization.”
John McMillan, another retired firefighter who is president of the museum, said, “We are so lucky to have Sam in our lives. He told me and some other friends that his goal was 105. But I expect we can start planning for 110 now.”
Seibert may already be the oldest living firefighter in the United States, as New Jersey native Victor Dransfield died in June at the age of 110.
Singapore Fire Chief Vincent Dransfield was buried wearing his favorite hat, making him the “oldest active firefighter in the United States.”
McMillan said Seibert looks better than he has in years and attributed that in part to the people who take care of him. But some of Seibert’s secrets to longevity were revealed at the party: He recommends not sitting around too much and says drinking too much water causes pipes to rust. “He drinks beer and soda,” McMillan said, laughing.
I don’t think my doctor would sign off on that. But Seibert managed to live more than twice as long as I did, so you can’t really argue with the results.
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