Carlino, Phil

Born on April 1, 1926, Phil T. Carlino is a businessman, politician, community activist, and former State Chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he attended the University of Buffalo (now known as the State University of New York at Buffalo). He met his future wife Florence, whose family had moved to Buffalo, New York, from Steubenville, Ohio, in 1946 and they were married that same year. The couple owned a coin and stamp collecting shop in Buffalo.

The Carlinos moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963 after a doctor recommended a drier climate to help with their son’s extreme asthma. They opened another coin and stamp shop and soon expanded their business to include more stores, including the Las Vegas Cointique Shop and Fremont Coin Company.

Carlino became involved with the Nevada Democratic Party in the late 1960s. He served on the Clark County Fair Housing Committee, as First Vice Chairman of the State Central Committee, and assumed the position of State Chairman of the Democratic Party in 1970. He held this position until 1974, when he ran in the Democratic primary election for Secretary of State, losing to Democrat William D. Swackhamer. He did not seek reelection for State Chairman. Carlino attended the 1972 Democratic National Convention as a Nevada delegate. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Las Vegas in 1975.

In 1975, Carlino helped form and served as president of the Combined Health Agency Program (CHAP), a state organization that fundraised and then distributed donations to one of six national health agencies. He became involved with the American Lung Association of Nevada in 1978, eventually serving as president for three separate terms, and was an advocate for cleaner air in Nevada. He was actively involved in fraternal organizations such as the Sons of Italy and the Optimist Club. In addition to running their coin business and supporting the Democratic party, Florence Carlino was active in the Women’s Democratic Club of Clark County, the Sons of Italy, the Mesquite Club, the Daughters of Erin, and served as president of the Las Vegas Numismatic Society.

Carlino continued to work on various political campaigns throughout the years. Florence passed away in 1998. Carlino operated the Fremont Coin Company until its closure in 2017. As of 2019, Phil Carlino still lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sources:

Breger, Jack. “Health agencies in fund coalition.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 21, 1975.

“New open-housing bill won’t halt Nevada plan.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 11, 1968.

“Prominent coin store owner, political activist Carlino dies.” Las Vegas Sun, August 19, 1998. Accessed September 13, 2019, https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/aug/19/prominent-coin-store-owner-political-activist-carl/.