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Anthony McGuire Obituary
11/15/1939 - 05/12/2025
Reverend Anthony E. McGuire, a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for nearly 60 years, died in Redwood City, CA on May 12, 2025.
In his priestly ministry, Father McGuire undertook his assignments with enthusiasm, dedication and commitment-bringing hope, helping others and making each place better for his having been there.
Father McGuire was born in San Francisco on November 15, 1939 to his parents, Anthony McGuire and Mary Ann Heaney McGuire, immigrants from Ireland. He had three brothers, John (Elizabeth), Bernard (dec.) and Thomas (Joan). Father McGuire attended St. Vincent's School in San Rafael and graduated from Mission Dolores School in San Francisco. He attended St. Joseph's College in Mountain View and St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. On June 5, 1965, he was ordained at Mission Dolores Basilica by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken. Later he received a Master's Degree in Pastoral Care from USF.
Following ordination, Father McGuire served as Parochial Vicar at St. Gregory's Parish in San Mateo, at St. Patrick's, Most Holy Trinity, and St. John Vianney Parishes in San Jose, and at St. Kevin's and St. Monica's Parishes in San Francisco. He was pastor at Most Holy Redeemer and St. Anne of the Sunset Parishes in San Francisco and at St. Matthew's Parish in San Mateo. He was also Chaplain for the Spanish Speaking Community, Secretary of Ethnic and Cultural Affairs and Vicar for Priests. For two years, he was a missionary with the Maryknoll Fathers in Hong Kong and later served for a year on the staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Following retirement, he continued to minister-visiting the sick and saying Mass for religious communities and parishes.
Family was very important to Father McGuire. He often visited relatives in Ireland and England. He could always be counted on to officiate at family members' Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
Visitation begins at 6pm followed by a Vigil at 7pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Both services will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1 Notre Dame Ave, San Mateo, CA. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at the McGuire Gymnasium. Interment to follow at 2:30pm at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Rd., Colma, CA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Anthony McGuire
Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Theresa Harris
June 10, 2025
Father Tony was our priest at Most Holy Trinity in the late '60s, my high school years.
He was a bright, shining star who treated us teen agers with friendliness and respect. We all loved him.
I have too many wonderful memories to share, too many ways he blesses us to count, and even though that was over 50 years ago, I feel a tearful hole in my heart over his passing.
Tony & Debora Rouse family
June 9, 2025
I got to know Fr. McGuire when he became pastor of St. Matthew Church until his retirement, a very large and busy Parish including both a large Catholic school and faith formation classes for both children and adults.
I was a member of the St. Vincent to Paul group. He supported and inspired us to help on a daily basis thousands of families and individuals including the homeless with food, rent, and many other needs. I came to know of his heroic activities in San Francisco Parishes and they were continued at St. Matthews.
I was very fortunate to know him and I was inspired to serve the Parish family and outreach to the greater family of God, everyone living in the four corners of the Parish and beyond.
I was also inspired by his great accomplishment of building a new gymnasium that required reconciliation with the immediate neighbors for traffic concerns and fundraising for the cost.
The same kindness and compassion that he showed to me, I witnessed him show to everyone he encountered!
10 days before his last day on this earth, by chance I ran into him at the San Mateo Safeway where he greeted me with his great smile and was joyful to hear an update on my family and the activities of the SVDP.
Let us continue to follow his example, in the ways possible to each of us in our lives, so that we can also live the same good life!
His love of God and neighbor has only just begun in our eternal home.
Judith Garvey
June 9, 2025
Fr. McGuire was a wonderful priest who I got to know when he worked at Most Holy Redeemer and often visited the seniors at the Diamond Senior Center run by my mother. He also celebrated mass at St. Patrick's Church on Mission for years.
Bob and Geri Bodeker
June 8, 2025
Father McGuire officiated our wedding in 1986, 39 years ago at MHR. My wife and I will never forget Fr. Tony's words as we, two scared 20 somethings, stepped before him at the alter. "You made it". Simple words but put both of us at total ease. Just what we needed that day. We always wanted to reconnect with Father Tony to let him know that, indeed, some couples do stay together more than just a few years. Sorry to have come upon his obituary. A very nice and gracious man and priest. RIP Father McGuire.
Susan and Albert Alioto
June 8, 2025
Susan worked with him while teaching second grade at St. Anne's and preparing children for the sacraments. Working with Father McGuire was a highlight of her career.
Susan Duggan
June 8, 2025
Thank you Father Tony for all your service and support to all your family and community. You and your sense of humor will be dearly missed.
A Fellow Pilgrim
June 8, 2025
Thank you for the witness of your life, your share in the priesthood of Our Lord, your dedicated service to others, all in faithful discipleship to Christ and His Church.
Colleen McCarthy
June 8, 2025
Tony was an asset not to our family, the Catholic community, but community at large. Tony enjoyed talking about our family history, heritage, and our genealogy. I will misshim and our conversations.
Colleen
Christopher and Patty Diner
June 8, 2025
To Father Tony´s family, so sorry for your loss. Father Tony was our pastor at St. Anne´s of the Sunset. We kept in contact after he left, seeing him in Washington, D.C. several times. We will miss his wonderful Christmas news letter. Rest in Peace, Father Tony. You will be missed.
Eireann McCarthy
June 8, 2025
May perpetual light shine upon you, Tony. Thank you for serving so many communities.
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