From the late 1960s throughout the 1970s, few Nevada Democratic office seekers made a serious move without first consulting politico kingmaker Phil Carlino. “It was no big deal — I just liked to work behind the scenes, giving advice to the candidates, trying to help our party,” said Carlino, a rare gold and silver coin dealer for more than half a century, in a 2017 Sun interview, his last.

“But mostly, in both politics and business, I just enjoyed talking with people and being happy. Being happy was my secret to longevity.” Phil T. Carlino, who as two-term Nevada State Democratic Central Committee chairman helped guide the political careers of Gov. Mike O’Callaghan, U.S. Sens. Howard Cannon and Harry Reid, Sheriffs Ralph Lamb and John Moran and scores of others, died Oct. 13. He was 93.