Paul Crudo

1924 - 2015

Paul E. Crudo

December 24, 1924 - December 26, 2015

San Francisco native Dr. Paul Crudo, 91, beloved father and grandfather, devoted parishioner of St. Cecilia's, dentist to generations of smiling San Franciscans, and chef and host of Tuesday Night Dinner, died peacefully and joyfully at home on the day after Christmas, surrounded by his six children. Born on Christmas Eve, he embodied the spirit of the Christmas season.

Paul was the son of Edith Dito and Frank Crudo. Edith was a native San Franciscan whose parents had immigrated from Verbicaro, Italy in 1892. Frank, who also immigrated from Verbicaro, arrived in San Francisco at the age of 11 with his young sisters shortly before the 1906 earthquake. Frank earned his U.S. citizenship fighting in France in World War I. Paul grew up in a flat at Lyon and McAllister Streets and attended Fremont Grammar School, Roosevelt Middle School, Washington High School, USF, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now the University of the Pacific). He served with the U.S. Army in the Korean conflict.

Faith, family, and friends sustained Paul throughout his life. He spent his early years with his close-knit cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, often making day trips to Sonoma and Oakland via the car ferry before the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges were built. After his army days, he joined the young adult group at Old St. Mary's Center on California and Grant Streets. It was there where Paul met his wife Barbara Adams and many of those who would become their dearest friends for the next 60 years. Life at "The Center" was never dull -- plays, coffee houses, parties, brunches, and golf outings filled the calendar. From that group sprang the Whackers (the Wednesday Hackers), Center alums who played golf and made twice-yearly trips well into their 80's to Yosemite, Monterey, Little River, and other spots for memorable meals, quizzes, wig-wearing, and other hijinx.

But it was his own family and faith that were most important to Paul. He was a wonderful father whose children were, in his parting words, his joy and greatest gift, and he supported them in all they did over the years, always with a smile and words of encouragement. A devout Catholic, he attended daily mass in his retirement years and throughout his life gave generously of himself to numerous causes primarily focused on the poor, including La Madre de las Pobres, the Serra Club of the Golden Gate, St. Cecilia's, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, usually quietly and without seeking recognition.

Although a local boy, he traveled several times to Europe and the Middle East, and he remained actively engaged in the world, big and small. But most of all he was genuinely interested in people and their stories, remembering birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other special occasions with cards and gifts, always on the lookout for that special present. All were warmly welcomed into his home and made to feel part of his family, so much so that many called him "Papa." For the 15 years after his wife Barbara died, he prepared Tuesday Night Dinner every week for whomever showed up, a changing array of family, friends, and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. His weekly TND email included witty verse that was part invitation, part menu, part social commentary, and always signed off as "Crudo the Cook." He drew energy from the social and intellectual engagement of TND, which he called his "therapy."

Paul loved reading, especially history and biographies, crossword puzzles, foreign news broadcasts, Mario Lanza, Puccini operas, and old movies. To the end he was patient, gentle, kind, humble, generous, and faithful. His first thought was always for the other person. He was a good man.

Paul is now with God, reunited with his wife Barbara, his parents, brother Frank and sister Marie (Puig), daughter-in-law Kristin (Cuevas) Crudo, son-in-law Peter Stevens, and many dear family members and friends. He leaves a legacy of six adoring and grateful children, Elizabeth (Don Gray), Tim, John (Annmarie), Peter (Deborah), Amy (Larry Kantowitz), and Jim (Amy), 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.



At Paul's request, the family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Mary's who treated him with such kindness and dignity.

A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30th, at St. Cecilia's Church, followed by a private burial service. A joyful mass of celebration immediately followed by one heck of a party celebrating Paul's life will be held on a subsequent date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Le Madre de las Pobres. the Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation, or Hospice by the Bay.