Obituaries 2019

The following are obituaries of members of Branch One of Sons in Retirement whose passing became known in 2019. The obituaries have been obtained from the Obituary Column of either the San Francisco Chronicle, the Mercury News, family, or friends. Please click on the names for additional details.

Sir Russ Brabec joined SIR Branch One in July 2000 and was member 290. Sir Russ was Secretary of the Genealogy group 2000-2006, Secretary of Holiday Luncheon in 2002, Secretary of Historian in 2002, Secretary of the Computer group 2002-2003, Asst. Chair of the Raffle 2003-2006 and 2009-2011, Historian 2004-2006, Branch Secretary in 2006, Asst. Chair of Genealogy 2011, and Chair of the Genealogy group 2012-2019.

The following was provided by his widow, Eunice:

It is with a heavy heart that I notify you of the passing of Russell R. Brabec. He was surrounded by his wife and children.

A memorial service will be held June 1, 11:00 a.m. (time changed since first notification) at the Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 377 - 87th St. Daly City. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Memorial Fund, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church.

The following obituary was posted on Duggan's Serra Mortuary site:

Russell Richard Brabec

Of South San Francisco, passed away at home on April 29, 2019 after battling cancer for two years.

Russell was born on 21 December 1937, at Oak Park, Illinois, to Elsie [Moudry] and Richard Joseph Brabec. Russell was second-generation American on his mother’s side and third-generation on his dad’s side. Thus he liked to tell everyone that he was 2.5 generations Bohemian-American and that “Bohemia” was an enlightened kingdom in Europe rather than a North Beach café. During 1939, his dad’s job was transferred to San Francisco and brought his family with him from Cicero, Illinois.

Russ graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in January 1956. He worked briefly for Bank of America while attending Heald’s College School of Architecture in San Francisco. During the fall of 1957, his pen pal, Eunice Genevieve Averill, came to San Francisco from Nebraska, and they married on 15 November 1959, at the Harvard Christian Church, Harvard, Nebraska.

Russ started working for the City of Daly City’s Engineering Department in November 1959, two weeks before his marriage, and retired in October 1999, from the Department of Water and Wastewater. Work included creation of plans for and inspection of facilities including reservoirs, pump stations, water mains, and various street improvements. Russ then joined the Daly City Retirees Association, and he composed their newsletter from 2005 to 2019.

He served two years active duty with the Army 1961-1963, and upon separation from active duty, he changed his course of study to Engineering at Heald’s College. He graduated in July 1971.

During Memorial Day 1971, the family moved to South San Francisco at a location that was four miles to work in Daly City, which he would walk both morning and night for a long time since they only had one car.

Russ joined Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in 1964, where he was a Ruling Elder, Deacon, Skipper of the Mariners Ship and sang in the choir. He also served 18 years as church treasurer. He was President and Meet Director for the South San Francisco Aquatics Club during the 1970’s. He also chaperoned various event for Skyline Assembly #208 CA IORG during the 1980’s.

Living without cousins, aunts and uncles, all of whom remained in the Chicago area, he developed a passion for genealogy during his teen years. Russ renewed his interest in genealogy during the 1990’s, and was able to locate and meet a third cousin of his mother’s line at Drahonice, Czech Republic. He and Eunice visited there three times since 2000. Russ connected his wife Eunice to a Descendant of the Mayflower, George Soule, and with seven patriots of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Following that, He researched about 30 early pioneers of northern San Mateo County, 1850-1860’s, for the San Mateo County Genealogy Society and the History Guild of Daly City/Colma.

Russ was a member of Sons In Retirement, Branch No. 1 and led their genealogy group from 2013 to 2019.

He and Eunice loved to travel, especially by ship including 14 ocean voyages and 4 river cruises They visited 45 countries and all 50 states.

Russ is survived by his wonderful wife of 60 years, Eunice; their son, Charles, and his wife, Susanne, of Sacramento, CA; their daughter, Katrina, and her husband, Elwyn Ellithorpe, of Rocklin, CA; grandchildren Chanler and Ryba Cormiae, and Charles and his wife Kaylee, Malcolm, and Miriam; great-grandchildren, Charlie and Eleanor.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 377-87th Street, Daly City. Cremation arrangements made through Duggan’s Serra Mortuary and inurnment at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Broadmoor Presbyterian Church.

Sir Bill Cason joined SIR Branch One in July 2017 and was member 407 until he resigned in June 2018. Branch One did not learn of Bill's passing until August 14, 2019. Services have already been held.

The following obituary was published in the San Francisco Chronicle July 14, 2019:

William Andrew Cason, Jr.

March 21, 1919 - June 29, 2019

William Andrew Cason, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 29, 2019 in Burlingame California at the age of 100. He was born and raised in Hollywood, California, to parents William Andrew Cason and Bessie Bearden Cason. Bill's life was full, varied, and gratifying. After graduating from Hollywood High, Bill attended California Podiatry College in San Francisco, then went to war in WWII as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. After the war, Bill, ever the entrepreneur, began a career in food and beverage sales, and eventually formed his own food brokerage company. He met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Stewart (Bobbie) in 1956. They built their home in Burlingame, California, and raised two daughters. Bill and Bobbie were married for 61 years, until Bobbie's passing in 2016.

Bill had a lifelong passion for golf, which he played until he was 96. After the war, Bill continued to fly small single-engine planes, mostly to go to the Baja California Peninsula to go deep sea fishing with his friends and family. He was a Mason and a Shriner on the San Francisco Peninsula.

Bill and Bobbie filled their home with music, friends, and parties. They loved to go out dancing. In retirement, Bill and Bobbie shared a wonderful life traveling and golfing, playing bridge, and enjoying their grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his daughter Susan "Spring" Graf (Fred Graf), and grandchildren Claire and Christopher Huguelet. He has a niece Betty Coffelt, nephew John Brining, and many grand-and great-grand nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Winnie Annelle Cason, his wife Barbara Jeane Cason, and his daughter Nancy Cason Chiamos.

A memorial service will be held on August 3, 2019 at 1:00 pm at The First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame – 1500 Easton Drive, Burlingame, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seedlings Braille Books for Children (seedlings.org/donate), or a charity of your choice.

Published in the San Francisco Chronicle July 14, 2019.

Sir Jim Henry joined SIR Branch One in Janurary 2010 and was member 192.

Sir Jim was interred at Skylawn April 1, 2019 with United States Air Force honors. SIR Branch One did not learn of Sir Jim's passing until 4/8/2019.

Sir Bob Kary joined SIR Branch One in August 1998 and was member 350 until he became inactive in March 2014.

SIR Branch One did not learn of Sir Bob's passing until 1/1/2019

Senior Sir Carl Rollandi joined SIR Branch One in September 1997 and was member 402. Carl chaired the Bocce Ball activity group.

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame, CA.

The following obituary was published in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Mercury News March 24, 2019:

CARL FRANCIS ROLLANDI
May 3, 1927 - Feb 22, 2019

Resident of Burlingame

Carl, a man of deep faith with an incredible passion for life and a strong resilient positive spirit. Beyond extraordinary! He exuded warmth, curiosity, love, compassion and patience in all his interactions, impacting every life he touched. He left this world on Feb. 22, just a few months before his 92nd birthday.

Carl, a San Francisco native, born to Italian parents Marie and Carl Rollandi, beloved brother to Albert and Victor Rollandi. As a young man he attended Saint Ignatius High School, Oregon State College, joining Phi Kappa Theta and went on to serve in the United States Army Aircorps.

Carl enjoyed a life long career as a pharmacist but considered his greatest achievement to be his role as husband, father, and grandfather. He met the love of his life Lorraine when he was twenty six years old, and happily raised two daughters Joanie and Lori, and later was ecstatic to be a proud grandfather to Kevin and Ryan. He loved his family more than anything!

Carl believed in always putting others first. He was a faithful member of Saint Vincent De Paul and was given the Saint Vincent De Paul award for outstanding service. He was an active member in his community as the President of the Camos Damian Guild, Chairman of Bocci Ball at Sirs Branch # 1, where he made lifelong friends, an involved member of Peninsula Italian American Social Club, and an active member of Our Lady of Angels Parish. Carl was also very involved in "Fish" where he would drive people to their doctor's appointments, and help them with various tasks. Along with a myriad of awards, he was given the Father Bill Lowery Award for the care and concern of others. One of Carl's unique qualities was he would always ask how other's were feeling, even when he was sick, he would genuinely want to know!

The void in our lives without Carl is indescribable. He will be deeply missed by his wife Lorraine, his brother Victor and his family, his late brother Albert's family, his daughters Joanie and Lori, his son in law Steve, his grandchildren Kevin and Ryan, his nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and other family members and dear friends.

Carl's legacy and passion for life will live on in the hearts of the people he helped, and the people he loved. His unconditional love, his infectious joy, his unwavering determination, his gentle strength, his enthusiasm and his intense curiosity for lifelong learning will continue to guide us all to live our lives as joy filled and giving as his. He taught us so much. Forgive quickly and be kind to other's and ourselves. We will honor Carl by living life with passion, humility and gratitude. The world was a much better place because Carl Francis Rollandi was in it.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Carl's life will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1721 Hillside Dr. in Burlingame.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly appreciates donations to Saint Vincent De Paul or Catholic Worker Hospitality House in San Bruno.

Published in the San Francsico Chronicle and the Mercury News March 24, 2019

Sir John Spreitz joined SIR Branch One in September 1998 and was member 329. Sir John was Secretary of the Computer Group 1999-2006.

The following obituary was published in the San Mateo Daily Journal September 21, 2019 and the San Francisco Chronicle September 22, 2019:

John Crawford Spreitz

July 16, 1940 - Sept 16, 2019

Passed away peacefully in his sleep. A kind and gentle father who dedicated his life to travel and family. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and morning coffee buddies.

Survived by his son Sandy Spreitz, daughter Terri Butler (Joe), grandchildren Christine Butler, Robbie Butler, Ashley Butler, Josh Butler, and brother Steve Spreitz.

A memorial will be held at his favorite cafe, "IL Piccolo", 1219 Broadway, Burlingame , CA on Sept. 24th from 5-7 PM. Please join us to celebrate his life.

Published in the San Mateo Daily Journal September 21, 2019 and the San Francisco Chronicle September 22, 2019.