Sam Taralli
Everett
Taralli turned 99 last week. To celebrate, he went to his favorite store, Assistance League of Everett’s Thrift Shop, where workers had a surprise party for him with a giant cake, balloons and hugs.
Taralli was born in Boston in 1916 and moved to Washington in 1977. He was a machinist for 42 years. He and Fran, his wife of 43 years, were senior volunteers at Everett Police Dept., where they were named “Volunteers of the Year” in 2011.
When he’s not scouring garage sales and thrift stores for clocks, tools and sweaters, he likes to fix things and to play bingo.
His favorite place to eat is Applebee’s on Everett Mall Way because “the girls are all so nice” to him.
For his birthday, he had linguine and shrimp, his favorite dish, and ate cake three times.
He’s always ready to go somewhere. He starts each morning by saying, “What’s on the agenda today?”
On his birthday, he got his first selfie.
Three things in your fridge?
Frozen waffles. Anything Italian. Meatball soup.
Finish this sentence: People are shocked to know …
My age.
What he says when the Mariners lose:
If I was the manager, they’d win them all.
Biggest worry?
I don’t worry. I used to worry but I don’t anymore. Just take things as they come.
What do you plan to be doing in five years?
Kicking the box because I want to get out.
Most amazing invention in the past 99 years:
Cellphones. (He has a flip phone but wants a smartphone.)
First vehicle?
A bug. A horse and buggy.
First car?
It was a Model T Ford and it was a truck, more or less a small truck. I was about 10 or 11 when I drove it.
First kiss?
Oh, that’s from my mother.
Pet peeve:
Drivers on the road. When they don’t come to a complete stop at stop signs. That everybody’s in a hurry today.
Guilty pleasure:
Board games. “Aggravation” with marbles.
Favorite president?
(Franklin) Roosevelt. He was for the people. And Kennedy. Those other guys are for themselves.
Secret to a long life?
Live and love.
Earliest memory?
I was 10 years old. I used to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning to deliver 400 quarts of milk. By horse and buggy team. The horse would know when to turn and come back and wait for me. That’s how good the horses were.
Biggest age affliction?
I don’t have any teeth. I lost those a few years ago. I got hair.
Birthday wish?
Live to be 200. After 200 you aren’t that useful anymore.
— Andrea Brown, Herald writer
Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443.
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