Stuart Waldman

Stuart Irwin Waldman, 89, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Born on October 25, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Stuart, lived a life filled with passion, creativity, and meaningful connections. He was born an only child into the Jewish family of parents Samuel Waldman and Frances Orange and developed a close relationship with his cousin Joyce~

From 1954 to 1957, Stuart proudly served in the United States Navy, where he learned Chinese and developed a strong sense of organization and loyalty that remained with him throughout his life. Prior to the military service, he pursued higher education in library sciences where he learned to speak
Chinese.

In the early 1970s, Stuart relocated to San Francisco during a transformative time for the city. He embraced its vibrant culture, emerging LGBTQ community, endless new potential, validation, safety and acceptance for the lifestyle that was true to his heart.
He opened a successful restaurant specializing in European cuisine, particularly Italian and French dishes. Renowned for his culinary talents, Stuart delighted friends and guests with exquisite meals such as wine reduction pork chops, braised lamb with parsley and garlic, and his signature Bolognese sauce. His desserts and gelatos ruled the house: particularly Baked Alaska while his gelatos of crème brûlée and salted caramel—were legendary. His restaurant also specialized in bakery delights.
A large dedicated space in his freezer accommodated his forever love affair and fancy for gelato.

Stuart’s appreciation and respect for the arts was boundless. A passionate cinema enthusiast with an encyclopedic knowledge of film and cinematic history, he admired performers like Fred Astaire and Dame Judi Dench, Jean Harlow, Meryl Streep, Tom Hardy, and other entertainers, like Graham Norton and Dame Edna. Opera held a special place in his heart with particular fondness for the talents and life of Marie Callos.
He also admired dance and theater often sitting Roberto Bollo and Jakub Josef Orlinski.
He tastefully adorned his home with orchids and African violets which seemed to blossom endlessly and apparently due to his special fertilizing mixture of coffee water and Viagra. Who knew?

Stuart shared a deep and never ending love with his life partner, Tom Brzozowski. After Tom’s passing during the AIDS crisis, Stuart moved closer to the Castro district of San Francisco, where he built lasting friendships enriching the lives of those around him.
He was deeply committed to charitable organizations such as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Wounded Warriors Project as well various organizations connected with his Jewish heritage.
Stuart is survived by close partner and friends Tyger David Reimer, Fernando Valez (and friend Weiyen), Sergio Giovine, and life long friends including Kenyan born artist Jessie Allen, (and Jessie’s sister Lula and friend Eric), Dorthy Blake, Isabell and Coral, artist Victoria Ryan and local baker friend Chad Dawson.
Stuart is survived also by his niece Sheryl Cautero of South Carolina (daughter of late cousin Joyce of Boca Raton, Florida.



Stuart’s life was defined by his passions— loyalty, and supportive friends, believe in support of the LGBTQ community, his appreciation for Italy, food, art, culture—and above all else, for people. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.