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Charles Duncan McCreight
Charles Duncan McCreight
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Charles McCreight Obituary
Beloved partner, brother, son and friend to many, Charles Duncan McCreight peacefully departed this life on March 12, 2025 in San Francisco after complications from surgery. He was a man of intellect, wit and integrity who lived a full life marked by his generosity and kindness to all who encountered him.
Born January 27, 1959 in Norfolk, Virginia to Major Israel McCreight III and Nancy Hazard McCreight, Duncan was raised as a true U.S. Navy dependent, growing up in Florida, South Carolina, Stuttgart, Germany, Naples, Italy, and New York. He graduated magna cum laude in 1981 from Florida State University with a BS in Finance, and began his business career with Shell Oil in Houston. He relocated to San Francisco in the late 1980s.
In 1993 Duncan opened Fete Catering, capitalizing on his natural curiosity about all things culinary and his boundless creativity to provide many unforgettable events throughout the Bay area, from small dinner parties to large corporate affairs. He was known for more than 30 years as a great cook and generous host, influenced early on by his mother who was an accomplished cook and hostess herself.
"Funkin' Duncan" was a lifelong music aficionado, finding great joy in sharing his vast knowledge of pop music with everyone, from his clever mix tapes and CDs to his time as a DJ at San Francisco's Lone Star Saloon and his crowd-pleasing performances with Los Train Wreck at the El Rio bar in the Mission District.
The San Francisco Giants also lost one of their greatest fans with Duncan's passing. His love for baseball and dedication to his team was well known, as were his color-coordinated game day outfits, complete with his always matching bow ties. Duncan was rarely seen without a bow tie.
Duncan is survived by his loving partner Ken Christy, sister Ellen McCreight Grant (David) of Savannah, and brothers Andrew McCreight (Brenda) of Colorado Springs, and Brian McCreight (Lori Bushnell) of Tampa, as well as a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and of course, legions of friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Chris Martinez
June 22, 2025
I can remember car pooling to our job in downtown Houston. I also remember how much you disliked having the car window down or someone singing to whatever was on the radio.
Amelia Onorato
May 6, 2025
I lived across the street from Duncan at Mitchell Field, and we hung out a lot together in high school. My fondest memories of Duncan were him teaching me to swear in Italian and our spring break trip to Paris with a small and exclusive group of Mrs.Isherwood´s favorite students. Like many military brats, we didn´t keep in touch after his family moved, but looking at his life path as described in his obituary, I think we would have continued to have a lot in common as adults. I never knew Duncan as Charles, and he called me Amy rather than Amelia. Au revoir, mon chou.
Brett T Haley
April 18, 2025
Knew Duncan (he never went by Charles) in Naples Italy 1973. He, Julian Thomas and myself used to hang around the Parco and get into trouble. He was a lot of fun to be with. Here is a shot I have of him during Xmas ... not sure what he is doing but I'll bet it was animated.
Brett Haley
Justin Smith
April 15, 2025
I met Duncan when he lived in Houston in the 1980s. Remained friends all these years and always enjoyed his wit, charm, culinary endeavors and music. We texted sometimes about baseball, music and more. Whether joining him at the March on Washington in 1993 or assisting him years later as a server at one of his Fete Catering events, he was always a ball of energy, knowledgeable about so much and just great to be around. I saw him last when I visited SF in September 2024 and enjoyed our time and his bow tie. RIP my friend.
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Brenda Laribee
April 14, 2025
I first met Duncan while working on numerous nonprofit fundraising in SF in the 90s/00s. He was always generous, funny and a joy to work with at all of them. I was always delighted to run into him at various events through the years, including Giants games, Pride parades and open mic events. I am so sorry for our community´s loss.
Lorna Barker
March 24, 2025
RIP my dear sweet friend. I will always remember the good times we had when we were teens on Mitchel Field. You are missed dearly by all.
Susan Goldman
March 24, 2025
My memories of Duncan are wonderful, and they will live in my heart forever. He will be truly missed.
Andrew McCreight
March 23, 2025
I wore a bow tie today in honor of my brother.
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