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Tarabochia

Few women have displayed such keen judgment in the growth and development of Gig Harbor as Rose Tarabochia. Rental houses, cheerful monuments to her business insight, line Tarabochia Avenue. These, and Neptune Court on the corner of Harborview and Pioneer, are just a few of her properties in Gig Harbor and elsewhere. After completing the sixth grade, Rose, one of Martin and Anna Ancich's seven children, went to work selling candy and ice cream to passengers waiting for ferries out of Gig Harbor. The dock was where the Tides Tavern is now. At 16 she married Nick Tarabochia, a commercial fisherman of Croatian ancestry like her. The couple began acquiring property and fishing boats. Following World War II, war-workers' housing in Bremerton went up for sale. Seizing the opportunity, Rose and Nick purchased a number of units. The houses were towed to Gig Harbor on a barge and unloaded when the tide was low. They were hauled to prepared sites on Tarabochia Avenue where they still stand today. Rose didn’t know what inspired her to buy the old Gig Harbor garage and turn it into shops, but she recognized its potential. That old garage in the heart of town is now Neptune's Court, a shopping mall refurbished to entice tourists and locals to stop and shop. Nick passed away in 1992. He is fondly remembered for his ability as a fisherman and as an innovative real estate developer. HHMA

Tollefsen

Ole J. Tollefsen was born in Norway in 1830. He immigrated to the U.S., living in Minnesota before settling in Gig Harbor. He and his wife Anna Marie, also from Norway, had 18 children, 13 of whom survived into adulthood: Ole G., Ingebrit, Eberg, Richard, Anna, Christian, Mary, Emma, Jennie, Matilda, Amanda, Hannah & Oletta (Lettie). Ole was already 60 years old when he brought his family to Gig Harbor. He secured a 10-acre homestead overlooking the north end of the harbor. In addition to farming, Ole was also a lay minister. Their daughter Amanda married John Sather, a Gig Harbor businessman, born in Norway in 1880, who immigrated to the U.S. as a young man. They had four children: Marion, Jean, Leona (“Lettie”) & John Jr. Shortly after the birth of their son, John Sather was murdered on his boat, where he conducted business. The quiet community of Gig Harbor was shocked. Amanda and John’s daughter Lettie married Peter Sund and had a family. Matilda married Rudolph Moller, who came to Gig Harbor in 1894. The Tollefsen boys went east and became ministers; one in South Dakota, another in Minnisota. Rev. Ingebrit Tollefsen eventually returned to the Puget Sound, living in Tacoma and then in Seattle. (source: John Sather Jr.) GHPHS

Trombley

Charles Trombley moved to Gig Harbor with his wife Mary and three children: Mary, Sarah & Charles, in 1923. He purchased a local newspaper, the Bay Island News, which served the communities of Burley, Midway, Glencove, Wauna, Purdy, Shore Acres, Warren, Fox Island, and Longbranch. Trombley changed the name of the newspaper to The Peninsula Gateway and published it for 30 years until his death in October, 1953. During his lifetime, Trombley was very influential in the Gig Harbor community. He served in the Washington State Legislature in 1939 and was active in Peninsula Federated Clubs, the Gig Harbor Lions Club (founding member), Peninsula Grange, and the Gig Harbor Toastmasters. The Peninsula High School Quill and Scroll Society named their newly formed chapter after him, C.E. Trombley Chapter and named him an honorary member. He was a gifted cornetist and conducted the Peninsula Band, which entertained at local affairs. During the summer, on Saturday evenings, the band gave concerts on a little bandstand near the newspaper office (today’s Anthony’s parking lot on Harborview Drive). After his death, Charles’ wife Mary continued to publish The Gateway until 1955, when she sold the paper to Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Platt, Sr. The Trombley’s daughter Sarah married Reid O. Hunt, of the local Hunt steamboat and ferry family. (HHM blog, 4/24/12) HHMA