Italia Eichbauer

Italia Eichbauer 1912-2011 Italia Eichbauer passed away peacefully at the John Muir Medical Center, Concord, on September 15, 2011. Born Italia Rubino in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1912, while her father worked at Thomas Edison’s factory, Italia was raised in Brooklyn and the Bronx with three brothers and three sisters. Fresh out of high school, she found employment with the New York Telephone Company, later AT&T. When her only daughter Mary was born, she resigned for a time, but resumed working for AT&T in the mid ‘60s, after a brief stint at Macy’s. She married her childhood sweetheart Donald Leroy Korinko in 1938, but was widowed in 1944 when he was lost at sea, while serving as an officer on the destroyer USS Hull during Typhoon Cobra. She married John Elwood Eichbauer in 1947, and became the stepmother of two children, Barbara and Richard, who predeceased her. After 15 years of retirement in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she moved to Benicia to be close to her daughter’s family. Italian food and culture were her passion, inspired by her parents, both Sicilian immigrants. For as long as she could, she volunteered at the Benicia Library, helping both behind the scenes, and as a participant in the “Grandparents and Books” program. She loved reading, opera, and cooking. She is survived by daughter Mary Eichbauer, son-in-law Greg Gartrell, grandsons Nate Gartrell, Eric Eichbauer and Ross Eichbauer, granddaughters Tracey Bennett and Bonnie Dillon, five great-grandsons and great granddaughters, and one great-great grandson, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. Italia was the last of her generation in a large Italian family, and her spirited retelling of stories from the past will remain in the hearts of many younger relations. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Vallejo Symphony, the Friends of the Benicia Library, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A memorial gathering will be held at the Benicia Library, Friday, September 23, from 9:30 to 11:00am. Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com Arrangements are under the direction and care of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, Benicia (707) 745-3130.

Italia Eichbauer

December 14, 1912 - September 15, 2011