Sidney Tamburine

In Memory of Sidney Tamburine Sidney Tamburine was born on December 2, 1930. His parents, Francesco and Giovanna had immigrated from a little town near Naples, Italy 10 years earlier. They had five children, Mary, Bea, Charlie, Julie and my dad. Of course, those were their American names. Sidney was named Segundino Eugenio Tamburrino at birth. When he started elementary school, his teacher changed his name to Sidney Eugene Tamburine. Sid’s family called him Sam or Sammy. They lived in Oil City, Pennsylvania. His dad was a tailor and eventually opened a dry-cleaning business. Sidney always did well in school and his parents let him know he had two choices for a career, doctor or lawyer. Sid chose law.

He attended Bethany college in West Virginia and Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. With his outstanding grades he received a scholarship and went to University of Michigan Law School where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. The summer he graduated from college he went with his friends to a popular hangout, the Polish club where he met his first wife, Mary Susan (Sue). They dated while he was in law school and throughout his years in the Army. Sid was drafted and he spent his time in the Army in Germany. While he was there, he decided Sue needed a companion and he bought her the first of many dachshunds they would own. He named him Schatzi - which means sweetheart in German. Sid had taken the California bar before he went into the army. His parents wanted him to move to California because his sisters Mary and Julie were already living there. Their plan was to have the whole family move to California eventually.

Following his parent’s wishes he moved to California to start his career. Sue preceded his move a few months earlier. She had lots of family in Los Angeles. They were married in 1958 they had their first child in 1959, Francis Todd Tamburine, Susan was born two years later. Sidney worked for several years at the Legal Aid Society. Eventually he decided to start his own law practice and opened an office in Pacific Beach, CA. He would remain in Pacific Beach throughout his career. He bought a house in Pacific Beach on Mount Soledad. They lived there for 27 years. During his career he was elected president of the Pacific Beach Town Council, President and many other positions at the Pacific Beach Kiwanis club. He and his wife joined the Fratellanza Garibaldina Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in 1963. He soon became active at the State level of the organization.

He was appointed Chairman of the state scholarship committee. A position he held for many years. Sid was also Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for many years as well. His last position on the Grand Council was Orator. Sidney was a quiet reserved man who enjoyed his family, home, and eating delicious food. Those who knew his first wife, know that she loved being around other people and so my dad had an active social life, they entertained at their home most weekends, having big parties with lots of food and drinks. Sid barbecued and bartended, which he excelled at. He kept the swimming pool well maintained for all to enjoy. Sid not only loved his family, but he had an extreme fondness for his pets.

You would see him daily sitting in his comfy chair with either a cat or a dog and sometimes both on his lap with a

newspaper on top of them that he was reading. He hated to get up because it might disturb the animals. Sid found a new love and they were called grandchildren Lindsay and Nick. He enjoyed spending time with them even when they were little tykes. Eventually they moved to Scripps Ranch so they could be closer to the grandkids. They would watch them after school. One of their favorite things to do as adults, was to talk politics with grandpa. He so enjoyed a good political talk and continued to do it until the day before he passed. Dad continued his Law practice until he was 70 years old. He and his wife enjoyed travel. They took many cruises and a couple trips to Italy. They even found relatives that no one had seen for many years there. Unfortunately, Sue grew ill not long after Sid retired, and she died in 2013. Sid was a lucky man, not long after he met another wonderful woman, Sadie.

They discovered they had a lot of things in common. They both liked to travel and they both had a passion for their Italian heritage and the Sons and Daughters of Italy. They were a perfect match. Having found another woman who liked an active social life and wanting to keep his wife happy he again lived a lively social life. Sadie and Sid continued their active participation in both local and state OSDIA organizations. Sadie was a great influence on Sid. She made him change his diet and eat healthy. His kids are so appreciative of her care and love. They credit her with his living to 89. She was the perfect companion for the last 15 years of his life. The two of them traveled and enjoyed their OSDIA activities until Sid’s health declined. In spite of declining health, Sid continued to enjoy spending time with his extended family. Knowing how much Sid valued education, a scholarship fund has been established in his honor with the Western Foundation of OSDIA.