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977 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo, California
William Ahlbach Obituary
Resident of San Mateo
Father Ahlbach died suddenly on Friday, June 14, 2013, in San Mateo, California. Beloved son of the late William J. Ahlbach and Margaret O'Connor Ahlbach. Brother of Donald, Gerald, Margaret, Mary and John; Brother-in-law of Marlene, Susan and Peggy; Uncle of Justin, Adam, Matthew, Martin, Suzanne, Beth, Gregory, Connor, Christopher and Mairead and Cousin to many in the O'Connor, Arata and Carson Families.
Father Bill graduated from St. Cecilia's Grammar School in 1950, St. Joseph's Seminary/College in 1956 and St. Patrick's Seminary in 1962. He was the last priest to be ordained in St. Mary's Cathedral on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, on June 9, 1962.
Although not one to suffer hypocrisy and bureaucracy lightly, Father Bill faithfully served the San Francisco Archdiocese for fifty-one years. He was a Parochial Vicar at St. Athanasius Church in Mountain View, Holy Name of Jesus Church in San Francisco, Church of the Resurrection in Sunnyvale, St. Dunston Church in Millbrae, St. Charles Church in San Carlos and for the last thirty-one years at St. Matthews Church in San Mateo. He passed away only thirty minutes after celebrating the Adoration Service at St. Matthew's last Friday evening.
Father Bill's ministry to the elderly, home-bound, infirmed and poor consumed his entire life. The Food Pantry at St. Matthew's was just one example of his dedication to God and God's people.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Reverend Anthony McGuire, Reverend Dominic Lee, Reverend Armando Gutierrez and Monsignor Warren Holleran for their friendship and support to Bill during the last few years of his declining health.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, June 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell Mortuary at 977 S. EI Camino Real, San Mateo, and after 6:00 p.m. at St. Matthew's Church, One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, with the Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Matthews Church on Thursday, June 20th, at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Reception in the School Auditorium after the Mass. Private burial will be later at Holy Cross Cemetery.
If so inclined, donations may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Matthews Church, One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, California 94402.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Ahlbach
Christine Carlino
June 11, 2019
Still missing Father Bill and his powerful, yet simple sermons assuring us that God is always with us and his devotion our "Our Lady" and the rosary. Rest in Peace!
Tony Rouse
June 11, 2019
Both our spiritual adviser and daily help for anyone in need, Fr. Ahlbach's care for the poor is continued every day by the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Matthew's and St. Bartholomew's. An average of 100 families each month are visited at their homes to share friendship and help with food, rent and utility assistance, clothing, mattress sets, and furniture. His inspiration will last a lifetime and forever for me and countless others! Thank you for your answered prayers from Heaven!
Michelle Fontanosa-Yee
July 13, 2013
I grew up going to St. Matthew's Church. Father Ahlbach is a part of those cherished memories. Even as a child, I felt that he was warm, friendly, kind, and full of life. As a teenager, I remember that one of his sermons inspired me to write a poem which I titled "Love is like a window". He moved me with his sermons. I remember he had a big heart and a big voice, too. I remember he liked football and was a Niners fan, and I used to think that he was missing the game during Sunday mass. I remember from my childhood, that he was Santa for the kids at CCD, how he was jolly and passed out candy canes. Thank you, Father Ahlbach. May you rest in peace, in joy and love with our heavenly Father, all the angels and saints. You were an angel and saint to many, and you will continue to be for the loved ones you leave behind.
June 24, 2013
When Fr Albach was a new priest at St Athanasius I studied with him and eventually converted to Catholism because of his honest, complete understanding of the faith.
When I came to the door of the church that advantageous day, he made me promise that if I didn't find what I was searching for in catholicism, I would continue my search until I found a tradition that 'fit'.
I will never forget his kindness!
He married my husband and I almost 45 years ago, so he holds another special place in our hearts.
Please accept our condolences for the tremendous loss you must feel.
Jan and Steve Shank
Surprise, Arizona
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Mary Robb
June 24, 2013
My condolences in the passing of Fr. Ahlbach. I had known him for 50 years, since he was a new priest at St. Athanasis in Mountain View. He was such a wonderful, caring person to all of the single, young people, like myself, who came to California to work and were away from home. He gave us direction and showed us a direction which gave our lives meaning. We all loved him and thought he was truly a man of God. Thank you Fr. Ahlbach - without you our lives would have been pretty empty. He had the most wonderful sense of humor.
June 24, 2013
My condolences to all the Ahlbach family on the passing of such a marvelous, saintly priest. I first knew Fr. Ahlbach when he was ordained and new at St. Athanais in Mountain View. I was a young, single person, whom he helped find direction and a Christian way of life. He was truly a man of God and helped so many of us find a way to serve God and our community. We all loved him so much and felt he was the epitome of what a man of God would be. That was 50 years ago and I still remember his kindness and overwhelming giving nature that helped so many of us.
Thank you Fr. Ahlbach - RIP
Mary Robb, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Patrick Devan
June 23, 2013
A truly wonderful person. I loved his sermons! You could tell they were heart felt and his own, he will be missed, God bless him, may he rest in peace.
Maria Mossi
June 22, 2013
We will have you all in our prayers. Father Ahlbach was so wonderful and caring with our kids during our visit to St. Matthews this past Christmas. He always had a cheerful comment and a loving detail with each of us. We are sure he is as happy as he can be in the presence of Our Lord and our Blessed Mother, and that he awaits for all of us to get there too! You are in our prayers.
Fondly,
The Mossis
Cheryl Wamsley
June 20, 2013
"Welcome, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy". Matthew 25:21
Father Ahlbach was one of a kind. I always loved hearing his condensed and "on point" homilies when we were able to attend early Mass on weekday mornings. We always left Mass feeling spiritually nourished. Father Ahlbach was blessed with such an incredible gift to minister to his flock and do it so succinctly! In turn, he blessed all who were fortunate enough to experience his friendship or the stewardship of his priesthood. May God bless his loving family, the souls that he touched and may Father Ahlbach rest in eternal and heavenly peace!
Cathy Mueller
June 20, 2013
Dear Donald & Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to your family for the loss of your brother Father Ahlbach. My prayers go out to your whole family during this time.
Tony Rouse
June 20, 2013
Dear Margaret and family members,
With you I am so sorry to say goodbye to Fr. Ahlbach and to miss a dear friend that helped me in so many ways. But I know we have a bright future with him and all the eternal Family of God. It was a joy to serve with him over the past 20 years in teaching youth in CCD and helping those in need with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I witnessed incredible love and faith given to youth in the CCD program. I witnessed his service to thousands of individuals in need over the years in ways that only he could do. It was an inspiration to witness his love and care of children, the poor, the sick, and all the Family of God at St. Matthew's. In word, sacrament and example he brought us to the love and presence of our Savior Jesus Christ. He was a loving father who kept us close to the loving Father and Family of God. I will be eternally grateful for his friendship and help to my family and all of us. I cannot imagine a life better lived!
Tony, Debora, Judy, Francis Damien, & Nicholas Rouse Family
June 19, 2013
Don and family, I am sorry for your loss.
Respectfully,
Art Gates II
Mary Martin
June 19, 2013
I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Father Ahlbach. He was a wonderful friend to my mother Mrs.Albertine Reynolds And my sisters Janel Worley and Roberta Reynolds. I will always remember he beautiful funeral Mass he said for my mother. I know that he is in heaven with my mother now. He was a great comfort to our family. My condolences go out to all his family.
Mrs. Mary Martin and family
marian rose power
June 19, 2013
Dear Don and all the Ahlbach Family,
Fr. Bill and I have known each other for over 50 years and we had the challenge of working with each other at St. Athanasius definitly a gift not to be forgotten.. He and each of you are in my prayers. And of course I continue to count on His support from above. I am so sorry I cannot be with you for his celebration of new life but I am there in spirit. Mass is offered for all the family. Sr. Marian Rose Power RSM
June 19, 2013
Our deepest sympathy on the great loss of Fr. Bill Albach whom we have known since he was a child, loved his parents and siblings, and respected for his generosity and kindness to everyone. We watched him grow up with his parents and family in San Francisco in the Avenues. He is a great loss to so many as well as his sisters and brothers. In deep sympathy, sincerely, George and Helen Habeeb, from 16th Avenue Foods store in San Francisco, at 16th and Taraval. We have lived in Millbrae for the last 60 years attending St. Dunstans Church and our children and grandchildren have gone through the school also. He will be greatly missed by all. May he rest in peace.
June 19, 2013
Our condolences go out to the entire Ahlbach family in the loss of their beloved Father Bill, as well to the whole Catholic community that will feel the empty spot he leaves in our lives and hearts.
There is no measure of the countless ways in which he touched our lives. In our own personal life he fostered a priestly vocation in our family, was a positive role model of what priestly life entailed in terms of dedication, integrity, and tirelessness, and illustrated that none of his works were too menial for his Lord. His countless hours in the confessional were testimony to his devotion to bringing people to God, and God to people. He brought many fallen-away Catholics back into the fold with his availability, compassion, and unconditional forgiveness of the sacrament of Penance. His corporal works of mercy were myriad and done in quiet and understated ways, especially those for the weakest and most forgotten among us. His message every day was that of God's unconditional love and forgiveness for all of us, no matter what our human condition might be. He truly was a humble man of God.
We are sure that he is enjoying the reward which is promised to all of us if we live our lives following Jesus' example, and we rejoice in his happiness, although we selfishly wish he was still physically present to us.
Thank you God for your gift of Father in our lives. Thank you, Father, for the gift of yourself in our lives. We are consoled in knowing that we now have a strong advocate in heaven to pray to as we continue to emulate your positive example in our daily lives.
The Carnes Family
Thomas O'Toole
June 18, 2013
Margaret, So saddened to hear this news of your brother Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Ahlbachs, a grand St. Cecilia's family. Like our class mate Ellene, Father Ahlbach served his community well.
Geri T
June 18, 2013
Father Albach was a true pro-life Priest.
He was one of the few who would speak from the pulpit about the 4,000 babies each day that are aborted in this country!
I bet he had a huge gathering of God's Little Ones meeting him as he entered Heaven!
Sr. Godbertha Muganda
June 18, 2013
To Ahlbach Family,
I am truly sorry for the loss of your brother, uncle and cousin. I join everybody who is mourning Fr. Ahlbach's death in prayers that God may give him a beautiful and peaceful place in heaven. Thank you Bill for all your contributions to the Orphans project in TZ.
June 18, 2013
I will never forget Father's goodness to my family. He was truly a priestly priest. His presence was a grace for so many.
Countless friends have welcomed him to heaven. My sympathy is with his family and friends.
Joan Phillips Santa Clara, California
Peter/Iris Davey
June 18, 2013
What a priest he was. What an example.
What love for the poor and home-bound.
An unselfish priestly minister.
He was the epitome of the finest, the greatest, the best!
Rest in the Glory of God Father Bill
Jolynn Grijalva
June 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ahlbach family. Your brother Bill was an incredibly thoughtful person and a warm hearted Priest who touched many hearts. He will be truly missed.
Jo Anne Quinn (St. Cecilia Class of 1960)
June 18, 2013
Margaret:
Although I never knew your brother, I nonetheless extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on your loss. The Ahlbachs were an integral part of St. Cecilia's Parish and School.
Thomas and Juliet Fister
June 18, 2013
Each time Father Bill said mass he made the consecration special as he emphasized the real presence of the Eucharist. His sermons were memorable and inspiring as he often reminded us of the importance of saying the Rosary. We saw him a week ago as he closed Eucharistic Adoration. Even though he was in obvious pain, he persevered and I thought how he was a good role model in going about his mininstry to the Lord through his suffering. It reminded me not to complain about my own petty problems as others are suffering with greater pain and not complaining. Rest in peace Father Bill. You're in a better place but you will definitely be missed.
Gale V.
June 18, 2013
Father Ahlbach was a big man with a big heart. I will always remember his words at the homily,"God loves you." He will be missed.
Claudia and Andrea Horvath
June 18, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to Father Ahlbach 's family and friends. He'll be missed greatly, he was a great priest, person and a friend. My daughter and I will miss him terribly. We are keeping him in our prayers. Father Ahlbach help us in many ways in our problems, he was there to listen and give support.
Rest in peace Father Ahlbach.
Gayla Olsen
June 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers with Father Ahlbach's family. He was a wonderful compassionate person and will definately be missed. Heaven has another guardian angel to watch over us all. God bless you Father and may you rest in peace.
hala aoun
June 17, 2013
i am so sad that father william passed away i will miss his angel face his strong voice and words that touched my heart . i am a parishioner of our lady of lebanon on millbrae ca but i always go to daily mass to saint Mathew to attend father's william mass and last week i received the holy communion from his hand which is a blessing i am not close to him personally but he is in my heart spiritually i am sending now my deepest sympathy to all your beloved one father priests and friends and family and i know father that you are watching us from above i am praying for you dear father i will never forget you so please do not forget us father keep praying for us until we will meet you one day in the glory of god that we can praise and glorify the lord in heaven with the virgin Mary, saint Charbel, saint Rafka,saint Nemtallah Hardini blessed yaakoub blessed estephan nehmeh saint francis saint therese and all saints and angels.
Hala Aoun
June 17, 2013
My daughter and I loved attending the mass of Father William at St Matthew's Church in San Mateo. He always touched our hearts with his blessed words and homilies. We are very sad to have found out that such a humble and loving reverend had passed away. Our deepest condolences go out to all the parishes who had the honor to serve churches in our community with Father William. We are going to miss him. We know he's rejoicing with all the saints , Blessed Virgin Mary , Our Lord Jesus Christ and all the angels so we ask for his intercession from above.
June 17, 2013
Father Ahlbach's presence and thoughtful sermons will be greatly missed at St. Matthew's. The simple yet powerful words he spoke at daily mass carried many of us through our day. Rest in peace good man.
June 17, 2013
Don and Margaret, so sorry to hear of Fr. Bill's passing. Our prayers and thoughts are extended to the both of you during this difficult time. God bless Fr. Bill!
Phil and Linda Davey
San Ramon, Ca.
Archbishop Riordan High School
June 17, 2013
The faculty, staff and students of Archbishop Riordan High School send their deepest sympathy to the Ahlbach Family. Father Ahlbach will be remembered in our daily prayers
Pat and Sis Dunn
June 17, 2013
Our prayers for the entire family of Fr. Bill at this difficult time. Heaven has indeed welcomed this humble man who dedicated his life to those less fortunate. Rest in peace Father.
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