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James Grealish Obituary

James Vincent Grealish

Rear Admiral, US Naval Reserve, passed away at home on December 18th, surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 8, 1920 the first son of Martin and Molly (Mary) Grealish, Irish immigrants from County Galway, Ireland. Proud of his Irish heritage, he was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for over 70 years.


A Native San Franciscan, he was born South of Market and raised in the Eureka Valley district, attending Most Holy Redeemer grammar school (beginning First Grade on the day the school opened), Saint James High School (class of 1938) and the University of San Francisco (class of 1942). He joined the Naval Reserve in 1942 serving on active duty during World War II (1942-46) and the Korean War (1951-53) remaining in the Reserve until his retirement in 1979. 


He served in the Pacific during World War II aboard USS Waters (APD 8) which carried Marine Raiders and other troops participating in landings on Japanese-held islands in the Solomons (rescuing survivors of the USS Helena (CL 50) from the Japanese-held island of Vella Lavella), New Georgia, Saipan, Iwo Jima (where he observed the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi), and Okinawa.  His last assignment was Commanding Officer, USS Cronin (DE 704).


After the war he remained in the Naval Reserve and was recalled for the Korean War serving as Executive Officer, USS Nawman (DE 416) and USS Cushing (DD 797). His most notable Naval Reserve assignments were: Commander Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 20, Commander Naval Reserve Special Warfare Program, Commander Reserve Destroyer Division 12th Naval District and Commanding Officer USS Naifeh (DE 352). His awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal (7 battle stars), Philippine Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, Secretary of the Navy Meritorious Public Service Award and the Order of Malta Cross of Merit.


After his release from active duty in 1953 he served in various financial management positions including over 41 years with Protected Investors of America, a full service investment firm founded in 1934. He last served as Chairman Emeritus of the firm.


He was invested as a Knight of Malta in 1979 serving as Vice President of the Western Association and received the Order of Malta Cross of Merit in 1979. In 2012 he received the Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Award from Archbishop Riordan High School. He was a founding member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City where he was a lector for 13 years. He was also a member of the Westlake Catholic Men.


He was predeceased by his brother Joseph (1925) and is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean, sister Mary Parnow (Ted, deceased), brother Jack (Pat), son Kent (Barbara), daughters Kathy Ciardella (Michael) and Susie Flanigan (Jim); 9 grandchildren – Tony (Kelly), Todd (Tara) and Jon Ciardella, Meaghan, Kaitlin and Kelly Grealish, Robyn Flanigan Suhling (Tim), Nikki and Danielle Flanigan; 9 great-grandchildren - Joey, Travis, Madison, Calan, Bobby, Drew and Tommy Ciardella, and Jackson and Nicholas Suhling, and many nieces and nephews.


Friends may visit on Thursday, December 26th, 2013 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at DUGGAN'S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City, CA and after 6:00pm at Saint Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave (at Fulton St), San Francisco where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:00pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Ignatius Church on Friday, December 27th at 10:00am. Parking available at Koret Center, Turk and Parker Streets. Private Interment. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Saint James Scholarship Fund/Archbishop Riordan High School, 175 Phelan Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112.



Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 20 to Dec. 25, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Grealish

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It was an honor to know Jim, a proud Naval Officer and wonderful man.

Tom Graves

Friend

July 29, 2017

Dear Mrs. Jean Grealish and the Grealish Clan,

I only recently learned the news of the loss of our shipmate, Admiral Grealish. I will never forget his graciousness when he called me to welcome me the "Flag Wardroom". He was the first Flag officer to call me and to get a call like that from a fellow San Franciscan meant everything to me. I hope to live up to his legacy. Please accept my sincere condolence and prayers for you and your family over the loss of this great man and naval officer - Jim Shannon, SI '77

RADM Jim Shannon

January 12, 2014

Please accept the sincerest condolences of Martin and Joanne Grealish and Family on the recent passing of James Grealish. His life story shows he was a man of great faith and honor. May he Rest in Peace. Martin and Joanne Grealish, Boston MA.

Martin Grealish

December 31, 2013

Our thought and prayers are with the entire family!

Kevin Ellison

December 30, 2013

To all the Grealish family in San Francisco I was so sorry to hear of Jims passing having had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions he was a wonderfull man very proud of his family and his irish heritage may he rest in peace

mick grealish

December 29, 2013

Susie:
Carol and I are deeply sorry to learn of your dad's passing. He was a wonderful man, one of a kind, a throwback to a special era in our San Francisco history, a true gentleman, and I will always treasure going to the Marine's Memorial for lunch with him.
I hope the joy he brought to you helps to crowd out the pain of his loss.

Tom Brandi

December 26, 2013

Please accept our sincerest condolences on the pasing of a great man James Grealish. He accomplished so much and I am sure the next couple of days will be a celebration of his life.Our thoughts and prayers are with his legacy,the Grealish family.

James and Mary Grealish

December 26, 2013

Jean, Kathy, Susie, and Kent,
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Admiral Jim. He was always so gracious on our visits to San Francisco. Paddy remembers well when Jim took him on a tour of the USS Carl Vinson. He still speaks fondly of that experience with Jim. We share and appreciate your grief, and know our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the Grealish Family.

Paddy and Debbie Grealish

December 25, 2013

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Rear Admiral Jim Grealish a great man I had the pleasure of meeting at a Grealish Family reunion in San Francisco a few years ago a man that gave a great service to his Country. Our Condolences to his wife Jean sister Mary brother Jack son Kent daughters Kathy Ciardella and Susie Grandchildren and great Grandchildren. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
Noel Grealish MP
Member of the Irish Parliament.

Noel Grealish

December 25, 2013

Ken and Kathy and family .. sorry to hear of your Dad's passing .. its been over forty years since I saw him at your house but still vividly remembering his smile...what a great life he lead.. R I P

Bill Hemmenway

December 25, 2013

Admiral Grealish was a true Gentleman in the finest sense of the word. He was a Class Act.

He served his Country with Honor and Distinction and consistently demonstrated Excellence for all the members of the U.S. Navy.

Admiral Grealish's Leadership, Dedication and Loyalty is a model for all present and future Naval Officers.

I along with Susie and Danny send our best regards to all.

God Bless Jean, Kent, Kathy and Susie and the entire Family.

Gerald R. Sobeck
LCDR U.S.N (Ret)

December 24, 2013

Jim,You're a ship sailing proudly to the horizon.'There,she's gone'you say!Gone where? From our sight;that's all.Other eyes see her coming to the far shore'There,she comes'.And that's dying ! Jim, you Eureka Valley leader,You are gone to your reward,but your goodness remains.

Dan McInerney

December 24, 2013

To the Grealish Family,
I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a kind and gentle man. My Jim thought the world of your Jim and so did I. He truly immersed himself in whatever he undertook and I know must have made ever so many friends.
Jean I especially send my prayers to you. I know what it is like to lose the love of your life. You were so fortunate to have had him for 67 years, and what a life it has been!
My love to all the family.
Colleen Marron

Colleen Marron

December 24, 2013

Dear Jean, Kent, Kathy, and Susie, It is with the fondest of memories that I think of Jim today. Jim was a true Christian In every sense. He was an inspiration. When I recall all of the fun times spent with your family growing up, I get a big smile. May God bless all of you. Much love.

Daniel Patrick Desmond

December 23, 2013

Jean, Kathy, Suzie and Kent,
I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was a gentleman and a kind and gracious man.

Diane Calden

December 23, 2013

We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing, and are thinking of you all at this sad time. Through the tears, there must still be lots of laughter, remembering all the wonderful moments you shared with him for so many years.
Linelle & Galen, Lori & Ron

Linelle Marshall

December 22, 2013

To the Grealish family:
We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. The loss of someone so dear and close is difficult. We share your grief and our thought and prayers are with you. It is so nice to know that you will have a special guardian angel watching over you.
The Ira Sariotti family

I. Sariotti

December 22, 2013

Jim was my CO in the Navy Reserve. I renewed our friendship decades later at a Riordan reunion. He was a fine gentleman who set a Christian example every day. He and so many like him put the "great" in the "greatest generation." We should all have such a long and wonderful life.

jim clifford

December 22, 2013

Jim was a friend of my dad, Bill Shea, and I was introduced to him about 35 years ago. I got financial advice over the years and last talked to him a year ago, he was 92 years old. Sharp as a tack and always a gentleman, very reassuring. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace.......Mickey Shea

Michael Shea

December 21, 2013

Dear Jean,Kent,Kathy and Susie
So many wonderful memories flood my mind. All the great family times gathered at Ruth Marron's ( Nana) home. They were full of love and laughter.It is with a sad heart that I
say goodbye to Uncle Jim.
Love Kitty ( Marron) Drummond

Kitty (Marron) Drummond

December 21, 2013

To the Grealish Family
My brother Ted Curry just sent me the news of your family's loss. I was a classmate of Sues at OLM and Mercy. I fondly remember Mr. Grealish taking Sue and I and Sandy Lopez to dances. He had a great car and we would love to ride with him! My most special memory was our 8th grade dance. My father, Frank Curry had just passed away. He took Sue and I together to the 8th grade father/daughter dance. I did not want to go because I didn't have a Dad. He made sure that I had a substitute one!
May the road rise up to meet you...Kathleen Curry Sadao

Kathleen Sadao

December 21, 2013

A final salute to a charter member of the Greatest Generation for a job well-done and a life well-lived.

Bruce Henderson

December 20, 2013

My condolence to the Grealish family, he was a great guy with great sense of humor and always had good advice. A very proud grandfather I should say because he was always talking about them when we talked. Rest In Peace Mr Grealish.

Vindula Raghbir

December 20, 2013

Dear Mrs. Grealish and Family,
Mr. Grealish was such a wonderful gentleman. I always looked forward to his visits to my office at Archbishop Riordan. He always had a big smile and a warm hug. You are in my prayers.

Sharon Ghilardi Udovich

December 20, 2013

The faculty, staff and students of Archbishop Riordan High School send their deepest sympathy to the Grealish Family. Mr. Grealish will be remembered in our daily prayers.

Archbishop Riordan High School

December 20, 2013

To Jim's family, we are very sorry for your loss.
Jim was a wonderful friend and neighbor.
I remember with fondness all of the parties our families enjoyed together at Hobergs and Weston drive.
Jean, Kent, kathy and Susie, we will keep Jim in our prayers and always smile when we think of you.
Love,
John and Barbara (Desmond)Dillon

Barbara Anne Dillon

December 20, 2013

Dear Grealish Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. We all loved Jim very much.
God bless you all,
Leslie Marron

Leslie Marron

December 20, 2013

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