Over 100 people and contractors helped and contributed to the $325,000 project

Will be used for tours by school children, can be rented for small parties

By Allen D. Payton

After being donated and relocated in April from its former restaurant location to the grounds of the Antioch Historical Museum, the Red Caboose was dedicated by as the Boccio family, friends and supporters who gathered for a special ceremony Saturday afternoon, November 18, 2023. (See related videos of the move here, here, here and here)

“This is a great day for the City of Antioch,” said former Mayor and former Historical Society President Don Freitas who served as the MC.

“You’re going to actually be able to rent space in the caboose for parties,” he shared. “It can hold 14-16 people. It will be a heck of a place to come and have a party.”

“This is a great opportunity for the Historical Society to work with the school district to bring kids out and talk about trains and the unique role of the caboose itself,” Freitas continued.

“When I get up at night…I can still hear the train whistles and it brings back great memories,” he reminisced.

“Jim and Phyllis Boccio owned this, and it was connected to the restaurant on Fulton Shipyard Road,” Freitas explained. “I would bring people to it for meetings, and we’d have lunch inside the caboose, and they didn’t want to leave. It was wonderful.”

“We’re very excited about this project. It’s taken a long, long time. There were more than 117 individuals who contributed,” he added.

Current Antioch Historical Society President Dwayne Eubanks spoke next saying, “I want to thank the Boccio family. I had no belief that a project like this could happen. This project has infused some enthusiasm into the Historical Society.”

Jim “Mac” Martin then sang the national anthem followed by the invocation offered by Rev. Gene Davis.

Dr. James Boccio, representing the family, shared about his parents, who have both passed away in the last few years.

“They came to Antioch during the Great Depression,” he said. 

His father grew up in Antioch near where the Red Caboose Restaurant was located.

“He always had a deep feeling for the railroad,” Boccio said. “In 1982 he told me ‘I’m buying a caboose…I’m going to connect it to the restaurant and bar.’ I told him, ‘that’s a swamp. It’s going to sink into the ground’.”

“He bought it in Selma,” the younger Boccio continued. “I went by there in the morning to see how far it had sunk and he already had built a pad and that a big crane placed it on.”

He said when speaking with his mom she could think of eight restaurant operators through the years, some of whom were in attendance at the ceremony.

“My mom was never a big caboose fan,” Boccio revealed. “She kind of felt it was my dad’s fifth, illegitimate child.”

He shared how his parents’ house that they lived in on E. 18th Street his father “had moved from Walnut Creek with the Trosts. So, I wasn’t surprised he could have the caboose moved.”

“In 2022, there was a fire that burned the back half (of the restaurant). But nothing happened to the caboose,” Boccio stated. “There was smoke damage and soot that was cleaned up.” (See related article)

“The family got together with my mom and my sister Norma suggested we get it over to the Historical Society. My mom said, ‘Call Tom Menasco’,” he continued.

“He’s a bulldog they let out of the cage,” Boccio said to laughter from the audience.

Menasco then led the effort to relocate the caboose.

“We actually sold the caboose and the property to Drill Tech with the deal he donate the caboose, which he did,” Boccio added.

He described the move saying, “it was like an orchestra.”

“We really want this to be an educational facility for young children who maybe have never been on a train other than BART,” Boccio concluded.

Doug Debs, Lead Docent of the Niles Canyon Railway then shared the importance for and explanation of the purpose of a train’s caboose. It’s where the engineer and “eyes and ears of the crew” could see the train. The cabin on top is called the cupola and was where the freight cars could be viewed and the windows could be slid open so the crew could lean way out and see around curves, he explained.

Freitas then recognized three individuals who were key to the project.

“There were a lot of volunteers, a lot of help,” he said and then mentioned Project Superintendent “David Brink. He was the engineer. He put in a tremendous amount of time.”

Freitas then mentioned Display Designer Laura Enea Jacques, who took on the project once the caboose arrived at the museum. Finally, he mentioned Project Coordinator and Fundraiser Tom Menasco about whom he said, “is really one of the most dedicated residents in Antioch. He raised about $325,000 to do this project.”

Freitas showed appreciation by presenting Menasco with a plaque.

“What’s most important to me is we made a wish become a reality,” Menasco stated. “Nineteen months ago, it was April 1, 2022, we jumped on a train with this caboose and took a long ride. We didn’t have to ask, people just handed me money. We collected $200,000 in donations from local developers and contractors.”

“I’d like to thank all the contractors who are standing in the back,” he added.

Those in attendance were then provided with brief tours of the Red Caboose and shown a video by Ronn Carter about its history and relocation. See a brief tour video, here.

The Caboose Project Team included Tom Menasco, Dave Brink, Laura Jacques, Project Advisor Don Freitas, Supervising Engineer Stan Davis and Project Advisor Eddie Beaudin. The Historical Society offered a “heartfelt thank you” to the Jim and Phyllis Boccio Family Trust who transferred ownership of the 1929 caboose to the museum and contributed financially for the construction of the display.

The Antioch Historical Museum is located at 1500 W. 4th Street at the end of Auto Center Drive and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information visit www.antiochhistoricalmuseum.org.

For more information visit Bridge Marina Yacht Club or www.facebook.com/bridgemarinayachtclub.

Mayor Thorpe to host service in lieu of his annual State of the City address.

By Lamar Thorpe, Mayor of Antioch

Earlier this year Antioch was rocked by revelations of racism, federal indictments, and state investigations. Many members of the community were both shocked and hurt by the news. The revelations also brought about threats of violence. As a result, Mayor Thorpe postponed the annual State of the City address.

In lieu of the State of the City, Mayor Lamar Thorpe cordially invites residents to a Unity and Healing Service in collaboration with Rev. Kwang-il Kim of the Antioch United Methodist Church, Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid of Chabad of the Delta, and Intisar Malhi of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

As part of the event, Mayor Thorpe will be honoring several community members who represent the spirit of unity and healing with the Key to the City, Antioch’s highest honor. Award recipients will be announced a week before the event.

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Doors Open

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Unity and Healing Program

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Post Event Reception

RSVP at eventbrite.

Regional Blood Services Volunteer Committee and Delta Dental to be recognized for outstanding contributions at 29th Annual Gala

Now in its 29th year, the Red Cross Gala is a volunteer-led fundraiser dedicated to recognizing local heroes and supporting the Red Cross mission. This signature fundraising event, themed “Building Bridges of Hope,” will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Pier 27 in San Francisco and will celebrate its 2023 Honorees: Delta Dental and the Regional Blood Services Volunteer Committee.

 “As Co-Chair of this year’s Gala, I am honored to stand alongside individuals and organizations committed to making a difference” said Pat Hayes, who is serving alongside fellow Co-Chair Elizabeth J. Folger. “We hope you can join us for an unforgettable night where we not only applaud the accomplishments of the Red Cross but also inspire each other to continue the journey of positive change.”

THE HONOREES 

During the black-tie event, the Red Cross will present new and seasoned volunteers Michael Gregory, Kathryn W. Holmes, Nichole Jordan and Jasper Smith with the 2023 Red Cross Humanitarians of the Year Award for their work as members of the Regional Blood Services Volunteer Committee. Collectively, this committee has dedicated their time and talent to the Red Cross and supported Blood Services by donating blood, hosting blood drives, providing financial contributions and innovative ideas. This team is wholeheartedly committed to the Red Cross mission and serves as an inspiration to the organization.

“The committee’s commitment to our mission and their tireless dedication to saving lives is truly remarkable,” shared Justin Mueller, Donor Services Executive for the Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “We are honored to recognize their selfless efforts, and we extend our heartfelt thanks as they serve as an inspiration to make an impact within our community.”

The Red Cross will also recognize Delta Dental as the 2023 Red Cross Philanthropic Company of the Year. “Delta Dental is proud to support the mission of the American Red Cross and honored to receive the 2024 Red Cross Philanthropic Company of the Year Award,” said Kenzie Ferguson, Vice President of Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility for Delta Dental of California and affiliates. “Our partnership not only underscores our commitment to building resilient communities but also amplifies the efforts of the Red Cross in times of need.”

A major financial supporter for 34 years, Delta Dental has been a Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program partner since 2017, pledging $500,000 in annual giving, ensuring that the Red Cross is ready to respond whenever disaster strikes. But their dedication doesn’t stop there: they’re involved in other meaningful ways, including hosting blood drives and employee engagement events, building personal hygiene kits, providing skill-based volunteers for our Code4Good program, a first-of-its-kind volunteer workforce that gives software engineers and engineering leaders an opportunity to support the Red Cross, and engaging board members.
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS Hosted by Co-Chairs Patrick “Pat” Hayes and Elizabeth J. Folger, the 2024 Red Cross Gala will feature a cocktail reception, a three-course dinner curated by Componere Fine Catering, a live auction and entertainment. Since its inception, this fundraiser’s purpose has remained steadfast: to celebrate and sustain the lifesaving programs and services of the Red Cross. All proceeds raised through this event will support Red Cross Blood Services. The Gala is made possible by Gold Sponsor Delta Dental and Honorary Committee Members, Juan Benitez, Kathryn W. Holmes and Nichole Jordan.

To view our full list of Gala committee members and additional event details, please visit redcross.org/redcrossgalasf.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or find us on Facebook.

This year’s Veterans Day Parade route in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown is a bit different than in the past. It will begin at the intersection of L Street and W. Second Street, travel east and turn south on G Street to W. 3rd Street, travel west back to L Street and turn north past the Antioch Police Station. The parade will begin at 11 AM following the annual Ceremony at 9:30 AM in the Marina/Boat Launch Parking Lot next to the Antioch Veterans Memorial. (See more at Antioch Veterans Day Breakfast, Ceremony, Parade & Concert Saturday, Nov. 11 | Antioch Herald)

For more information visit www.gfwcwomansclubofantioch.org.

Deadline today for parade entries