Alfred S. Wilsey Jr.

WILSEY, Alfred S., Jr. - Known as "Lad," was born on June 26, 1945, the day that the United Nations Charter was signed, in San Francisco, a city that he loved all his life. He died on September 28, 2005 in a private plane crash in north central Idaho while returning from an annual hunting trip at the Flying B Ranch. The second son of Alfred Spalding Wilsey, Sr. and Doris Duisenberg, who both predeceased him, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathy; and his adored children: sons, Nick and Rory and daughter, Shannon. Lad is also survived by his devoted siblings: brothers, Mike Wilsey and Sean Wilsey; sisters, Sue Smallwood and Wendy Wilsey-Magers; as well as a large extended family and circle of friends. He was raised in Kent Woodlands, Marin County, California, where he attended A.E. Kent School. He graduated from Marin Catholic High School (Class of 1963) where he played quarterback on the football team and ran track, setting numerous records as a sprinter. After attending Notre Dame University for two years, he returned home to the Bay Area for family reasons, where he graduated from the University of SF. One of his first jobs out of college was traveling around promoting the "Pool Sweep" for Howard Arneson who, ultimately became a lifelong friend and mentor. A patriot and a gentleman, Lad was very proud of his service in the Marine Corps Reserves during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War. Lad worked with his father Al and his uncle, Jack, and their partner, Gerson Bakar, for many years in their business, and spent most of his professional life in real estate development in California and Nevada. He spent many happy times in Hawaii during his childhood and youth and it remained a very special place for him throughout his life. A great storyteller, Lad often regaled friends and family with witty, detailed remembrances of people, places and events, generally accompanied by his wry, slightly irreverent commentary. Lad loved the outdoors all his life and he enjoyed participating in many sports, including boating, fishing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, hunting, surfing, running, skiing, golf, snowboarding, even scuba diving, getting certified when his daughter did so that they could share that special experience. He tried to do everything well, from paint ball to charades, from fly-fishing to singing (relatively on key, but generally with the wrong lyrics). An avid competitor, Lad was also an enthusiastic sports fan who rooted for Cal (son, Nick's alma mater), the Giants and the 49ers. Lad was active, fit, amazingly energetic and tireless in his quest to enjoy life and spread good will to everyone around him. Slightly conservative in his political views, Lad was an open-minded listener who loved to debate various points of views and discuss how to approach, brainstorm and solve problems. Lad loved children and he was such a good, devoted father to his own children, participating wholeheartedly in all of their endeavors. He also served as a surrogate parent to many other young people who benefited from his wisdom, his nurturing and his patient guidance. Because he spent so many years involved with coaching youth sports, especially baseball, Lad's influence extended to thousands of youngsters and his impact on their learning and their lives has been profound. He was particularly fond of his experience coaching Special Olympics and he loved participating with his children when they followed his example doing community service for this wonderful organization. Lad always worked tirelessly as a community volunteer. He served on the California Academy of Sciences Board, and he was passionate about education. He continually gave so much time, talent and energy to his children's schools. He served on the St. Ignatius Board of Regents and the Board of Marin Country Day School and he recently completed his second full term on the Board of Trustees of Mount Tamalpais School, where he was honored by a lifelong appointment to the Honorary Board. His wisdom, strength, insights, guidance and thoughtful involvement will be sorely missed by his fellow alumni parents and trustees. Lad never took for granted the good fortune he enjoyed in his own life and he was a generous, giving person who extended himself to others. A philanthropist in the purest sense, he often gave anonymously to all kinds of causes. He was particularly dedicated to education, and in partnership with Kathy, was a loyal supporter of Marin Catholic High School, his alma mater, as well as St. Ignatius College Preparatory School, Marin Country Day School, the Taft School, St. Vincent's School for Boys, USF, Branson, Marin Academy and Mount Tamalpais School. His generosity helped to restore new fields at the Bacich School and the chapel at Marin Catholic, where he was one of the school's most consistent and long term alumni donors. First and foremost Lad Wilsey was a GOOD man, who instilled in his children his own sense of compassion, justice and concern for others. He was invariably kind, moral, upstanding and honest, setting a good example for everyone around him. He held himself to a very high standard and he did his best to always live up to the goals he set. Lad was a man who kept his promises and who "walked the talk" of what it meant to be a religious person. A devout Catholic, Lad attended many churches and especially enjoyed analyzing (and sometimes even critiquing) sermons and homilies given at mass. One of his favorite places on vacation was a small church on the big island of Hawaii where the priest's dog attended mass along with the parishioners. Competitive in the true sense of the word (from the Latin to seek one's best with others). Lad definitely enjoyed winning, but he also relished the sport, the game, and the experience of engaged camaraderie. He was a wonderful friend whose charm, eccentricity, wit, upbeat attitude and great sense of humor contributed to his warm personality. Lad was strong, quirky, cautious, a little over protective, passionate, opinionated, gentle, funny, generous, loving, warm, thoughtful and unfailingly devoted to his family and his friends. Lad lived his life with gusto, enjoying every moment, savoring every experience and making the world a better place just because he was in it. He was quite simply one of the most wonderful men who ever lived and he will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. A Memorial Service is planned for 2 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2005, at St. Raphael Church in San Rafael. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Lad's memory to one of the following schools: Branson, Marin Academy, Marin Catholic, Mount Tamalpais and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. MONTE'S CHAPEL OF THE HILLS Family Owned & Operated San Anselmo 415-453-8440