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Stephen Peter Katches Feb. 25, 1919 - Oct. 2, 2018 Stephen "Steve" Peter Katches, 99, passed away at home peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Tuesday October 2nd. He was a native San Franciscan, born on February 25th, 1919 to Greek immigrant parents Peter and Alexandria Karabines Katches. Stephen was the 6th of 12 children and is survived by his dear sisters Kristina "Tina" Fensel (Jim) and Andromache "Mikie" Walker (Bayard), and is preceded in death by his other siblings Mary Katches (Greece), Nick Katches, Sophia Paganucci, Evelyn Cobb, Emily Pugh, George Katches, Ernie Katches, Mary Katches, and Helen Guili.
Steve was a devoted husband of 73 years to his beloved wife Mary Carmona Katches who passed away in 2013. Together they created a loving family descending 3 generations, all of whom surrounded and cared for Steve in his final days. He was an adored father to Sandra Giannini, the late Stephen George Katches, Kathy Kuhn (Dave) and Nick Katches (Tonya).
He was a wonderful grandfather to Lisa Richardson (Andy), Nicole Giannini Davis (Aaron), Matt and Marcus Kuhn, Danielle, Katrina, Nicky, and Ally Katches, and was a tender great-grandfather (Poppi) to Kylie and Kendra Richardson and Axel and Hazel Davis. Steve also leaves behind his dear sister-in-law Betty Ramirez, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Steve's early years were spent working as a delivery boy for his family's candy store business - which may also have included "bootlegging" in "The wettest city in the West". He became an avid boxer as a teenager, worked for the SP Railroad and was active in the Conservation Corps. In 1946 while working the swing shift for the American Can Company, he started Ka-Pa Tire & Auto Service, in the Bay View district. He was proud to be recognized as a San Francisco Legacy Business Owner by Senator Diane Feinstein. Now under new ownership we are proud that his business still thrives using the same name and location for over seventy years. Steve was also so very proud to be a veteran. He served in the US Navy in the Pacific during WW2 and again during the Korean war. He was also member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Steve was the beloved pillar of an amazing family, an icon and a legend. He was charming and charismatic with a quick wit and awesome sense of humor. He was admired by all who knew him and will be missed by many.
Friends and family are invited to attend Trisagion service on Sunday, October 14th at 7pm at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City. Funeral service on Monday October 15th at 10:00, Duggan's Serra Mortuary, immediately followed by Military Funeral Honors, Olivet Memorial Park, Colma.
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Published in San Francisco Chronicle on Oct. 10, 2018
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