Tuesday, June 5, 2007 • Local couple celebrates 60th wedding anniversary

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, June 5, 2007 edition of the Lassen County Times.

Charles Giacomelli just celebrated his 92nd birthday on May 25. His wife, Mary, will celebrate her 86th birthday in August. But on Thursday, June 7, the Giacomellis will celebrate one of their greatest milestones together:  Their 60th wedding anniversary.

The Giacomellis were married in Oakland in 1947. One year later, they moved to Susanville, where they have remained ever since.

Mary Giacomelli said they came to this town when it was a simple, country town, when it was still a mill community.

Charles, a WWII veteran, went to work out at Sierra Army Depot, mainly as a truck driver. Mary stayed in town and maintained the day-to-day operations of the business they opened up together, the California Bar and Hotel on Alexander Street. They ran the business for more 30 years, working and living together. But that’s only the beginning of their accomplishments in Susanville.

They raised three boys, Ed, Jim and Bob. Mary has worked and still works extensively with the senior citizen community of Lassen County as well. They said they watched the town grow from a small mill town the community it is today.

Both are now retired and living at Hidden Acres Mobile Home Park in Susanville.

“I wouldn’t move anywhere else,” Mary said. “When Charles and I were younger, we used to travel. We don’t so much anymore, but that’s OK. We still love this town.”

Mary said her marriage has been full of joy, with the ups and downs that can only be expected from 60 years with another person. But she said she loves her family and the relationship they’ve had with this town, and she said she wouldn’t trade any of the opportunities, friends and experiences she’s had for anything in the world.