Carson City man celebrates 90th birthday

Aniceto "Babe" Garcia will celebrate his 90th birthday on Saturday, and he attributes his long life to a couple of factors.

"I hate to say this, but I think it's good clean living, and my wife takes good care of me," Garcia said.

There is no history of longevity in Garcia's family. He said his parents died in their early sixties, and he is the last living sibling in a family of seven children.

"I was the baby, that's how I got my nickname 'Babe'," he said.

Garcia served in the U.S. Navy from 1939-1945, and was in Pearl Harbor when it got bombed.

"I watched a few ships roll over, and I saw the Nevada trying to get out when it went aground," he said.

Garcia was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he retired from the city's department of water and power after 35 years. He has lived in Carson City since 1981.

"Once I got here, I couldn't leave," he said. "I found my wife here."

Garcia lost his first wife in 1987, and his present wife, Dorothy, lost her spouse in 1987. The two were later introduced by a mutual friend, and they've spent many happy years together ever since.

Garcia said he enjoys going to Casino Fandango to play video poker several times a week.

"I never really win, even though I think I do sometimes, but it's a lot of fun and I enjoy it," he said.

Garcia didn't have any children of his own, but his first wife had two, and his present wife had one.

"He is married to my mother-in-law," said Carol Allen, also of Carson City, "and I just wanted him to get a little recognition. He's a little bit shy, but he has friends all over this town. He's known for his kindness."

Garcia has a niece coming into town from Spokane, Wash., for his birthday, and the whole family plans to go to the Italian restaurant at Fandango's for the celebration.