E Oscar Borin

E Oscar Borin

San Leandro, California

November 4, 1920 – January 1, 2024

Oscar Borin passed away peacefully at home after a very long and fulfilling life. He survived many hardships on a life voyage that eventually brought him from Italy to the United States, but once he was settled, he fully embraced life by following his passions. Along the way, he befriended many individuals with whom he developed long and lasting relationships.

Oscar was born in Villa Nevoso, a small village near Trieste, Italy. His childhood home became part of Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), and he attended the University of Ljubljana until his studies were interrupted by World War II. In 1943 he fled communism to join the Italian army, but upon escalation of the war and arrival of American troops, he was let go. In Milan he was a first-hand witness to the hanging of Mussolini and his mistress. He made his way from there to Rome on a bicycle, seeking shelter in deserted farmhouses and scavenging for food. In Rome he found refuge in a Catholic church, where nuns in the convent provided him with food and shelter in exchange for handyman work. He also spent time in Barcelona and Naples. His aunt, who was living in Pennsylvania, encouraged him to move to the United States. Under her sponsorship, he boarded a ship in Bremen, Germany in 1950 and began his westward journey. After enduring one winter in Pittsburgh, he decided to move to California “where orange and lemon trees grow”. Oscar arrived in San Francisco in the summer of 1951 and quickly found a job as a busboy. Determined to start a new life in the United States, he took English language classes at night and soon found employment at Jacuzzi Brothers, a machining company that manufactured and sold agricultural pumps, until retiring in 1983.

After retirement, Oscar remained busy through his 90’s as an active participant in various social clubs and organizations. He was a member of the San Leandro Breakfast Club, Oakland Garden Club, Sons in Retirement, and the Colombo Club, where he also worked as a waiter and birthday dinner singer. He was a prolific, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic gardener, not only in his own yard but also at Assumption church where he primarily tended to the roses. He enjoyed taking long walks, especially at Lake Chabot, the San Leandro Marina, and Oyster Bay, and even walked the annual Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco until the age of 95. On a weekly basis he would meet with friends for breakfast as well as donuts after mass on Sunday. He was always eager to share his extensive historical knowledge during these social gatherings.  

Oscar was predeceased by his parents Peter and Ivana, beloved wife, Ida, and his feline companion, Mutzi. He is survived by his daughter, Marie, granddaughter, Carina, and nephew, Houston.

A funeral liturgy celebrating Oscar’s life will take place at 11 am on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Assumption Church, 1100 Fulton Avenue, San Leandro, California, followed by a luncheon reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family toward establishment of a memorial scholarship at the Colombo Club, to the Regional Parks Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.

Oscar’s family is thankful to his friends for their companionship and assistance, to his wonderful caregivers Nancy, Maya, Doris, Laly, and Bibi for their exceptional care over the past few years, and to the Health Flex hospice team for their dedicated and caring support.

Riposa in pace e ti amiamo, caro papa e nonno. Dragi stric Oscar, pogrešali te bomo vsak dan.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of E Oscar Borin, please visit our floral store.