An interview with Sal Carilli by Lori Kay Stout shortly before his hundredth birthday.

LKS: Tell me a little bit about yourself, including your goal of being the oldest living World War II veteran.

Sal: I was born on June 16, 1926 in Long Island, New York. I have one brother and two sisters and my youngest sister is still alive. She’s 97.

I’m a veteran of two wars. I was in World War II in the Navy on a PT boat but not JFK’s PT boat. I went to the Philippines and the Aleutian Islands. When World War II ended, I was in the Philippines. We received orders to go to another island to help. While we were at the island, the islanders had a big celebration. The people were so happy to see us. It felt good for our American crew to be appreciated and honored. It was quite the celebration.

I was also a Korean war veteran and I’ve been to New Guinea, Borneo, Okinawa and Guam. I was on an ATTU boat during the Korean War. An ATTU is a sea going tugboat. I also saw Bob Hope both in World War II in the Korean War.

I still want to be the oldest living WWII vet.

LKS: Where did you go to school?

Sal: I went to USC. I had two G.I. bills. I received my BA in something like education. I went to graduate school at NYU. I had over 120 units, way more than I needed. If I had finished my thesis, I would’ve had a masters degree. I taught at Ravenswood School District for 26 years. 18 years were in the Atherton side and the last eight years were in the East Palo Alto side. I taught math (algebra), science, and drafting during that time.

I lived with my wife and five kids in Portola Valley. My oldest son Mark was 18 years old. It was not long after his HS graduation, he died in a motorcycle accident. There was road work being done. My son Brian worked for 40 years at Harvard and Stanford. My daughter Tara died in Santa Cruz and my youngest daughter Carry lives in Arizona. I’ve been married twice. One of my wives is still alive and she’s only 90 years old.

When I was 52 years old, I bought the property adjacent to Lupin and called it Myrtle Canyon Ranch. When I was 55 years old, I retired from teaching. I was a Lupin member since about 1975. Glyn took over Lupin in 1977 but I didn’t know him until several years later. I remember going to the Ethan’s home and interviewing with Ethel to be considered for membership. Back then, Ethel lived in what is now the Lupin office and had a desk in the living room. I purchased the property after I became a Lupin member. I got to know Glyn much better while working together during the 1985 Lexington fire and the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

LKS: What are some of your favorite Lupin memories?

Sal: Glyn was my dear friend, we both were history buffs. I used to love doing tractor work at Lupin and on my property. We were great neighbors. One of my favorite projects was the pipeline installation for spring water to Lupin. I remember there was a hot air balloon parked on the lawn in front of the restaurant. I also remember times when the restaurant lawn was packed with people.

LKS: What are your hobbies and interests?

Sal: I like golf. I’m a big history buff. I like to skate, but I had to stop when I was 84 because I fell and damaged my hip. I played baseball and softball until I was 86. I vividly remember my last game. I won the best hitter award, but we lost the game. I went to a tournament in San Diego with my team. I hit a triple but when I got to first base, I had to sit down on the base. They sent in a runner for me as my leg was hurting probably because of the hip problem so that was the last game I played.

LKS notes that Sal had a two-hole golf course, space for horses and about 1999 acres. Also once a winery with the Lupin property.

LKS: What’s your secret of making it to 100 years old?

Sal: I did not smoke, drink or do drugs and am always staying active.

LKS: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the last hundred years?

Sal: The KKK was abandoned in about 1955. It should’ve been done away with after the Civil War.

LKS: Do you have any regrets?

Sal: I wish I never sold my property to Mid Peninsula Open Space. It was never open to the public so people have not been able to enjoy the property. They never lived up to the agreement we had over the spring water for Lupin. I trusted them and regret not getting it in writing.

LKS: Is there anything else you want to add?

Sal: Myrtle Canyon Ranch was named after the flower Vinka Major. It is all over the property and a native plant.

Also, a woman is the best gift a man can have.