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BORN
1939
DIED
2014
John Strain Obituary
John was proud to have been raised in Eureka Valley. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and USF. At St. Ignatius, John was a member of the City championship football team in 1956 and went on to play at USF. A member of the United States Army, John served with distinction in Korea. He loved growing up in San Francisco and was a member of the Eureka Valley Gang, SIRs, Old Time Athletes Association, and a 50+-year member of the Olympic Club. John was also a founding member of the Marin Irish American Club. John enjoyed a successful career in real estate, where he logged 20+ years at Transamerica. He retired in 1996 and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at Lake Tahoe and the Russian River.
Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Annika Kelly Strain (AKS) foundation or your favorite charity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Strain
Mike Beacom
August 13, 2021
Lot of fond memories, Remembering the great time at Fort Lewis while still in college.
August 25, 2014
Although we have only seen each other briefly through years, my family and I send our deepest condolences. My husband,Bill is in heaven greeting John and talking about times at being raised in the city and going to USF. Please pass our sympathy to all of your famuly. In sympathy, Pauline Mifsud and Family
August 24, 2014
Dear Fran and family, our deepest sympathy on the loss of John. We loved being your neighbors on Corte Almaden. You were both so welcoming and we so appreciated John's sense of humor and his kindness. God bless you all during this difficult time. He will be missed. Love, Lynne and Frank Cambou
Dave Lillevand
August 24, 2014
My sympathy to the Strain family. I knew John from his USF days. My brother Peter and I plaayed with him on his Strain Realty hoop team in SF and had many post game good times together. Great guy.
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Diana Casper Durenberger
August 22, 2014
So sorry to hear about your loss. I can still remember the Strain family every Christmas and Easter, sitting behind our family at St. Isabella's Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
August 22, 2014
My deepest sympathies to Fran and to the entire Strain family.
John was a good boss, intelligent and full of common sense combined with a keen sense of humor.
I have many fond memories of him and the team at Transamerica.
Hoping that the love and support of John's family and many friends will be of comfort during these sad days.
Agnes Duffy Wyman
Sandy and Peter Brekhus
August 22, 2014
John will be remembered fondly as a perfect gentleman, even as a young man. His quick wit was an added gift always bringing smiles and laughter. Our deepest sympathy to all his loved ones.
Sherry Harper
August 21, 2014
Dear Strain Family: It is with great sorrow that I write you . I am so sorry to hear about John's death. I remember fondly all the fun times and good conversations we have had as next door neighbors. My prayers are with you Fran and the entire family. May God provide you with peace and comfort.
August 21, 2014
John Strain was my client for 6 years, in the 1990's. At the Transmerica Pyramid, he was full of energy, good ideas and high ethical bearing.
God and St Mary guide him Home quickly, and gently. MRD
August 21, 2014
The most fun of my college life was going on ski trips with John thrown by the outlaw Sidma Phi Omega fraternity at U.S.F. We never took skis. God comfort Fran, John's children and Godchildren.
Mike & Julie Farrah
August 21, 2014
The most fun moments of my college life were ski trips thrown by our outlaw fraternity, Sigma Phi Omega. John & I never brought skis. May God comfort Fran, John's children and grandchildren
Mike Farrah
Bob and Barbara Callan
August 21, 2014
We lost a real good guy and great friend.His quick wit, loyalty and twinkle in his eye will be forever missed. Our prayers are with Fran and his wonderful children.
Barbara Dillon-Wagner
August 20, 2014
I've known John since I was at USF. John was a great member of the Irish club at USF. My sympathy to Fran and children and grandchildren.
August 20, 2014
Strain Family, I am so sorry to hear about John. He was a good man and always funny. I have fond memories of Father/Daughter Nights at the OC.
My deepest condolences to you all, and sending prayers.
Sincerely,
Heather Wagner Michels and Family
Scott Clayton
August 20, 2014
To the Strain family, we send you our blessings from down under. Celebrate the many good memories you have of John.
Regards
Ed Lynch
August 20, 2014
John was a great guy!! We went all through SI ,USF and ROTC together!!
John, was a very lucky man, he had a terrific wife-Fran and three wonderful children. He thought the world of them!!! He was very loyal and had a great sense of humor. All of his SI classmates will dearly miss him.
John Thomas
August 20, 2014
St.Ignatius lost a pillar of the Class of 1957. Future Class reunions will not be same without John but he always will be remembered as a true "wildcat!" AMDG John W. Thomas,1957.
Paul Wintermute
August 20, 2014
My deepest condolences to Fran and the entire Strain family. It was my great pleasure to report to John at Transamerica for more than ten years. John always treated me fairly, respectfully, honestly, knowledgeably and with good humor, as I witnessed that he did all people. John led by example, and his example was that of an ethical, generous and confident leader. He held his employees to high moral standards, but also understood that human frailty is a factor in any workplace. I never saw him rush to judgment where an employee's actions were concerned and I respected him greatly for that. John was my boss, my mentor, often my travel and dining companion, and my friend. I know that he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Requiescas in pace, John.
August 20, 2014
Dear Fran and family,
We'll always remember John with a big smile on his face. He had a great love of life and all the people in it. Am so glad that he was in our lives, too.
Love and Prayers, Claire and Bob
August 20, 2014
Fran, Mike, Erin, Johnny: Linda and I send our love sympathy during this time that John (Dad) will be missed, but remember, he is with God and going over the roster to see how many folks he already knows.
Tony Hanley
Christopher Paloma
August 20, 2014
My deepest condolence to the Strain family.
August 20, 2014
To the Strain family, my deepest sympathy. John was a great friend. I enjoyed his humor, his knowledge of everything and everyone around him. I loved trading barbs with him. You could never get the upper hand on him. He was so generous and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Bob Norton (Granite Bay)
Ed Musante
August 20, 2014
My condolences and prayers for John and for his family. Although I have not lived in San Francisco since 1963 I did have the pleasure of being an SI and USF classmate of John. I am sure that God's loving arms are wrapped around John this day and forever.
Anna Yen
August 20, 2014
John Strain was a pillar of the community, an amazing story teller, a man who loved his family and his wisdom and values are reflected in his children and grand children. He will be missed!
Ally Thorndike
August 20, 2014
Our deepest condolences to the Strain family. We will miss his big heart and great sense of humor, his kindness and his generosity. Rest in peace, Papa John.
mike beacom
August 20, 2014
John, only you would remember this and lets keep it that way. BR at Fort Lewis in Washington. A great friend, will miss you.
Mike
Joe Horan
August 20, 2014
Dear Fran, Erin, Mike, John and all the rest of the family. We are so saddened by the loss of John. A big man, with the biggest heart, loveliest smile and loudest laugh. We will always remember his hospitality and the joy he took in connecting with his Irish cousins. He never failed to send his Christmas card complete with family photo, so we could keep up with the growing family, of which he was so proud. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. May he rest in peace. Joe and Merci.
Pat & Bonnie Sullivan
August 20, 2014
Deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Strain Family.
Jim Maloney
August 19, 2014
I am deeply sorry for the loss your beloved father. May he rest in peace. My prayers are with you.
August 19, 2014
We were next-door neighbors of John and Fran from 1999 until 2006. John always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He reminded us every time that we met him that he was a graduate of SI. We last saw John at St Isabellas after 5:00 mass. True to form, John introduced us to one of his Irish buddies from the City and reminded us (again!) that he went to SI. John was very good to our children Mary Elizabeth and Annie. We will miss talking to him about the 49ers and hearing yet another sarcastic comment about Cal Football. John, we will miss you. Love, the Ward Family.
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