Carl Jules Eilenberg had a special kind of moxie throughout his 93 years of life. Born in Syracuse, New York on May 18, 1930, the only child of Sadie and Aaron Eilenberg, he was a free spirit. Whether sneaking out of the house wearing a pair of golf shoes because his mother hid his shoes to keep him home, or finishing high school at a local military academy since he wasn’t inclined to follow the rules in public school, he was on a path of his own making.
After graduating from Syracuse University, his early career and life-long passion was sports announcing. As the 30-year public address announcer at Syracuse University, he was known as the Voice of the Dome, or as just “The Voice.”
He was the sports director at WAER-FM, announcer on WNYS-TV and the first radio talk show host at WAGE in the 1960’s, where his on-air name was Peter Scott. He briefly owned a restaurant bar named The Barge Inn on Burnett Avenue in Syracuse where university students felt at home. He left Syracuse in 1970 to become part owner of radio station WRNY in Rome, NY where he not only hosted a very successful morning radio show for many years, but also hosted a noon interview show every weekday called Roman Forum.
Carl did play by play for every local sport for both Rome Catholic & Rome Free Academy, and American Legion Baseball. Carl promoted an endless number of civic causes fully embracing the City of Rome. He helped found the Roman Runners and ran numerous marathons. He was part of founding the Rome Sports Hall of Fame, honoring local athletes. He also co-founded the summer tradition called Honor America Days, which included a parade, fireworks, and concert, and served as master of ceremony for endless veterans’ organization events and Special Olympics competitions. His famous voice greeted runners at the annual Boilermaker finish line for over a decade, after he was no longer competing himself. He was elected Mayor of Rome, NY and served 3 four-year terms, 1980-1992. Always the promoter of his community, at a gathering of Mayors at the White House, he shook President Reagan’s hand while wearing a button with the words, There’s No Place Like Rome.
Although not a typical athlete himself he worked hard at keeping fit, by running, then later walking the streets of his hometowns for exercise, passing the time by searching for stray coins. Many a car passed him walking wherever he lived, and knowing his schtick, they’d toss pocket change out the window to him. He saved it all and donated it to various causes whenever his jug was full.
At the age of 60, he and his wife Susan, the love of his life, created The Rome Observer, which became a popular weekly newspaper sharing GOOD NEWS about Rome. Susan & Carl moved to Florida in 2006, looking for less snow and more challenges. In Jensen Beach, they opened PIP’S Tiki Bar. He also worked at Monarch Country Club and most recently as a Ranger at the PGA golf course in Port St. Lucie FL until 2020, retiring just shy of 90. While working there he was recruited by a co-worker to announce concerts for the Port St. Lucie community band in his spare time, tapping into his talent.
Carl was pre-deceased by his first wife, Norma, his son Robert, and his daughter, Carole. He is survived by his son Peter (Patty), his granddaughter Meg (Ben), his grandson Andrew, his great-grandson, Nathan and his loving wife of 33 years, Susan. He will be sorely missed by his many cousins who have continued to stay in regular touch with him over the years, and by his inherited sisters and brother-in-law, step-son Jason Guy and Jason’s three daughters who adored their (nicknamed years ago) “Grampy” Carl.
A celebration of Carl’s life will be announced at a later time.
“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice”. That was Carl’s favorite saying and he lived it. He touched so many lives.
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