Name: Visitation for Thomas Galvin
Start: 2015-11-05T01:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-11-05T05:00:00.000Z
Location: Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel (FD1825)

Thomas "Tom" William Galvin

Tom Galvin passed away at home on October 27, 2015 after watching the Warriors celebrate their 2014-2015 championship season and their opening night win. Born in San Francisco, CA on September 22, 1945 to Tom and Helen Galvin, he was a fourth generation San Franciscan of Irish descent. Tom led a full life surrounded by a tight-knit family and many close friends.

Tom was raised in St. Philip's Parish and graduated from St. Ignatius High School (1963) before attending the University of San Francisco. Tom married Barbara Cantalupi (Casey) on August 9, 1969 and they had two daughters, Katie Galvin and Molly Galvin Reynick. Though Tom and Barbara later divorced, they remained close friends and in the last 11 years, they shared in the joy of being grandparents to their 5 grandchildren. Anyone who knew Tom knew that his life revolved around his two daughters. He never missed any of their many sporting events and when he wasn't coaching them himself, he cheered from the sidelines. He was also an athlete in his own right and played right field for the 1964 USF baseball team.

Tom was a junior high school teacher and coach in South San Francisco for over 30 years and after putting Katie and Molly through college, he managed to retire at age 57! Following his retirement, Tom could be seen every day walking around San Carlos, the town that he loved. He walked a total of 11,648 miles between 2003 and 2013, including a record 1,515 miles in 2007! Tom was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and had an insatiable curiosity. He had a passion for gardening and woodworking and he was a proud Irisher. He attended all of his grandchildren's games until recently when he no longer could. In the past few years, he enjoyed weekly card games with the "fellows" and visits from loving family, old friends and amazing neighbors.

Tom is survived by daughters, Katie Galvin and Molly Galvin Reynick, sons-in-laws Wayne Robke and Scott Reynick; sister, Mary Driscoll; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Lucille Galvin; ex-wife, Barbara Cantalupi; grandchildren, Clare and Erin Robke and Owen, Gavin and Duncan Reynick; and nieces and nephews, Chris McVay, Patrick Driscoll, Amy Thompson, Kelly Winter, Joe Galvin and Bill Galvin.

Friends may visit Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 5pm - 9pm, with a vigil at 7pm at Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel, 1111 Alameda de las Pulgas in Belmont. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thurs, Nov 5 at 11am at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 1685 Cordilleras Road in Redwood City, with burial following at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park.

Memorial Donations in Tom's name may be made to the American Lung Association, 333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 450, Oakland, CA 94621.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Galvin

Sponsored by Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel (FD1825).

13 Entries

Jo-Ann Smith D'Angelo

November 7, 2015

I went to St.Philip's with Tom from Kindergartden to Eighth Grade. The last time I saw Tom was at our January Reunion Dinner at Buon Gustos Restaurant. He spoke of his daughters and Grandchildren and how much he loved teaching.
My sincere condolances to your family. Tom was a gentlesoul and always kind to me. I know he will be watching all the sport channels from above.
Jo-Ann

Henry Rome

November 4, 2015

Tom will always be alive in my memories.

November 3, 2015

I went to S.I. with Tom and he was a good friend. The biggest thing that Tom did for me was he set up a blind date with Patricia, my wife, and he and Mary Curtin and Trish, Pat, and I met for the first time. Tom, we just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. Thank you is not enough.

Dave Kerley
Brentwood, CA.

Jodi Landi

November 1, 2015

Mr. Galvin was my teacher at Southwood Jr high school in the late 70's. A good man. May he rest in eternal peace.
~Jodi Ruiz-Landi

Mike

November 1, 2015

My old football coach, nice enough to pick me up every morning for practice in his little MG. rest in peace

October 31, 2015

Deepest condolences to Katie and Molly and their families. With love during this difficult time-- your father will always be remembered as the 6th man and a true Cherokee! -- Yukie Tarumi Bean and the Tarumi family

Mike Sullivan

October 31, 2015

A classmate at SI and USF, Tom was a likable fellow shanty Irishman! My unforgettable memory is a loss to a scrappy Tom on the wresting mat at USF. Sympathy to his family.

Bud Bedford

October 31, 2015

To the Cantalupi and Galvan Families, my sincere condolences, Bud

Casie Loura

October 31, 2015

Katie and family, I'm very sorry to hear of your dads passing. He held a special place in my heart growing up. I knew he was a great dad when each day at lunch time I saw you girls open up your handwritten notes from him that he so caringly put in your lunch each day. He was a special guy whose love will live on through all of you.

Bill Galvin

October 31, 2015

Tom you will be missed. We loved our visits every weekend at 4 PM where we would discuss everything from who was winning in the sports, to what the government needed to correct national problems. We had fun, laughing and just hanging out. Now Rest in Peace and with your famous word for everything, "Faith" can still be heard. We love you Tom, and will miss you, and that love will always be there. Our good memories with you will live on. We send our condolences and love to sister Mary, Barbara, Katie, Wayne, Molly and Scott and all your grand children. Blessings to you from your brother Bill, (Runt) and Lucille and family.

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