CV Couple Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Tony and Dianne Soares, shown this summer, recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.
Tony and Dianne Soares’ love story started 60-plus years ago at Pring’s Restaurant in San Leandro — a popular meeting spot back in the day. They met as young adults when he had moved here from Hawaii for work.
Tony spotted Dianne and thought she was beautiful. He walked right up to her and gave her his phone number. They went out a few weeks later, and after the first kiss they became inseparable.
The couple was married September 19, 1963 at the Alameda County courthouse in Oakland. They later renewed their vows and had a ceremony at Bethel Temple.
Now celebrating their 60th anniversary, they say their secret to such a long marriage is communication and honesty with each other, and of course, love.
The couple has four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They are affectionately known as Amma for ‘grandma’ and Papa for ‘grandpa’ and are rooted in faith and family.
The couple also loves music, and both play multiple instruments.
Tony has worked at many local companies, sometimes holding several jobs at once. His past employers include Mother’s Cookies, Sunshine Biscuits, K-Mart and Waste Management.
Over the years Dianne was a telephone operator, ran a daycare center, drove a bus, and then became a nurse. She worked for almost 30 years in that field, and recently completed her Master’s in Nursing.
During their married life the Soares’ have lived in several Bay Area cities, including Oakland, Alameda and Hayward. They’ve been in Castro Valley for 25 years now, and say they chose Castro Valley because their family is nearby, and they enjoy the quiet town environment.