Tod Paul Sweeney

Tod Paul Sweeney died peacefully after a hard fought battle with cancer on March 1, 2010. He was in the place he loved most in the world, his home in Sonoma Valley, surrounded by his wife and two beloved sons. Tod was only 56 but he made the most of those blessed years. Tod was born on Nov. 22, 1953 in San Francisco but grew up in the bucolic hills of Greenbrae, CA. He was the second son of Daniel J. Sweeney and Zora Veljkov. His older brother, Kevin and younger brother, Dana, were among the lucky children to roam that area when cows still grazed at the top of the hills, lizards and frogs were abundant and kids could play well into the evening hours without care or worry. Tod attended Greenbrae Elementary School, Kent Middle School, Redwood High School, Santa Clara University and later received degrees in viticulture from Santa Rosa J.C. and teaching credentials from Dominican University in San Rafael. Tod was the kind of person who fit in with any and all kinds of groups...basketball players, nerds, shy folks, outgoing ones...he loved life and accepted people for who they were. His friends were as numerous and eclectic as the man and reflected a well lived and amazing life. Tod is survived by his soul mate, wife of 27 yrs. and best friend, Cheryl Hillebrand Sweeney; his two beloved sons, Tyler and Austin Sweeney; his mother Zora Veljkov Sweeney of Greenbrae; brother Kevin Sweeney and partner Dion Blundell of Cathedral City; and brother, Dana Sweeney of Chicago; his father-in-law, William Hillebrand of Grass Valley, CA.; his sister-in-law, Lauren Hillebrand Eason and brother-in-law, Jerry Eason as well as many loved cousins throughout the country. Tod was a truly compassionate person who maintained an appreciation for life and his many blessings. He will be remembered for his gift of gab, amazing trivia knowledge, wonderful sense of humor and a quickness of wit that stayed with him even in the darkest of times, his expertise at poker, love of scotch and basketball and being a die-hard Giants fan. He was fortunate to have such wonderful steadfast friendships, many from the Greenbrae days, many, many from his college years and his "studies?" abroad in Rome and lucky him even from his work years at various wineries and finally where he ended up finding his true calling, as a teacher for 19 years at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa. He loved teaching and the people he worked with. A celebration of life will take place in April at The Sweeney home. Date has not yet been established. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Montgomery High School, c/o Laurie Fong, 1250 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. Subject line: Tod Sweeney Donation. Arrangements cared for by DUGGAN'S MISSION CHAPEL, MISSION CREMATION SERVICE, 525 WEST NAPA STREET, SONOMA, CA 95476. Inquiries can be made to them at (707) 996-3655 or www.duggansmissionchapel.com. "Tod, we love you to the stars and the moon and back again...always."