Carmen Anthony Eanni passed away peacefully at home in Fresno, CA, with family by his side on Saturday, September 14, 2024 after recently celebrating his 90th birthday.

He was born in Dover, NJ, on July 16, 1934, as the sixth of seven children born to Italian immigrants, Serafino and Josephina Eanni.  At age 12, Carmen and his family traveled from New Jersey to California joining other family members in the Hanford area to live and work in the ideal climate of The Golden State.

He graduated from Hanford High in 1952 and was recruited to play football for Fresno City College as a fullback. Another highlight at FCC was meeting the love of his life, Rose Marie. They had a 3-year engagement and married in Fresno on June 29, 1957 after he served in the 82nd Airborne Division and 77th Special Forces Group as a Green Beret during the Korean War.

Carmen attended San Francisco State earning a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, and UC Hastings College of Law earning his Juris Doctorate in 1963. After law school, the couple returned to Fresno and he worked as a Deputy District Attorney for 18 months before entering private practice in 1966. Two years later he became a shareholder in the Fresno Law Firm of Miles, Sears & Eanni, APC.

For 54 years, Carmen was a dedicated trial lawyer in the fields of general personal injury, product liability, and professional negligence. He was a member of the California State Bar, the Disciplinary Review Department of the State Bar Court (1979-1984), the Fresno County Bar Association, the California Trial Lawyers Association (President, Fresno Chapter, 1969-1971, Chairman, Recognition of Experience Committee, 1979-1980), and the American Bar Association.

In 1968, he gathered with a small group of men to start what would become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, which has grown to serve Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties and has positively impacted the lives of over 30,000 children.

For over 10 years, Carmen coached for the San Joaquin Memorial Catholic Youth Football Program spending hours on and off the field training young men in sport and equipping them with skills for life.

Golf, exercise, watching Fresno State football, and tailgating with family and friends were activities in Carmen's life that brought him much joy. He had a colorful sense of humor and often lit up the room. He cherished his faith community, lifelong friends, family gatherings, and indulging in Rose Marie's homemade Italian meals!

Carmen is survived by his devoted wife, Rose Marie, of 67 years, daughter Nikki Helmer and her husband Jay, son John Eanni and his wife Kellie, grandsons Jonathan and Dylan Eanni, sister Anna Batti, in-laws, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Carmen was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Jennie Champi, Teresa Batti, and Mary Eanni; and brothers Alfonso and Joseph Eanni.

Carmen will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. His family is especially thankful for support of Hinds Hospice and caregivers from The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens where he lived with Rose Marie since 2022.

It is suggested that remembrances in Carmen's name be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California or Hinds Hospice of Fresno, CA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center located at 1572 E. Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93710.