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Brendan Ward Obituary
Brendan Anthony Ward died suddenly on February 24, 2022 as he was happily enjoying the magical view from Mt Tam with his buddies in the weekly biking group. Brendan was the beloved husband of Susan Flageollet, loving son of the late Bernard and Nora Ward, devoted son-in-law of the late Ralph and Loretta Flageollet and loyal brother of Terry (Mary), Phil, Kevin (Chris), Bernie (Colleen) and Mary Badillo (Tom). Dear brother-in-law of the late Diane Ward. Much loved brother-in-law of Jim (Cindy), Joan Lynch (Mark), and Tom (Patrice).
A native San Franciscan, born November 14, 1953, Brendan attended Holy Name Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep (Class of '71), Cal (Kappa Sigma, Class of '75), and earned his MBA from SF State. He was blessed throughout his life with extraordinary friendships and long-standing traditions. He spent 33 years in the San Francisco Fire Department (with the unusual distinction to have served in almost every firehouse), retiring as Battalion Chief, at Station 8, Batt 3. In addition, he spent many years at the SF Fire Credit Union and was a proud member of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, serving as a director for several years. He so loved the camaraderie of the Fire Department, which was like family to him.
Brendan treasured his many nieces and nephews and they will miss him tremendously. Terence, Stephen (Kate), Patrick (Kendall), Colin (Michelle), Brendan (Kat), Caitlin, Darcy, Eamon, Connor, Erin (Jon), Carolyn, Morgan, Alison, Brett, Nick and Kara. His large extended family also included the Emmet Ward, Colloty, Harrington and O'Sullivan families.
Brendan and Susan enjoyed many amazing trips and especially loved Lake Tahoe and exploring National Parks, as well as adventures to Europe and the homeland of Ireland. Camp Mather always held a special place in his heart. Brendan and Susan were "authentic fans" with season tickets to the Giants, 9ers, Cal basketball and football (otherwise known as torture). He had a love/hate relationship with golf and spent many hours on the links. Brendan was honored to volunteer at Canal Alliance and assist in the ESL program after he retired. Though Brendan felt fortunate to live in Mill Valley, as a true son of The City, he referred to it as northern San Francisco. The family wants to thank the extraordinary efforts by all the first responders.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8 at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker St., San Francisco. Parking at The Koret Center Turk & Parker St. Masks required.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Anthony's Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Private Interment
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brendan Ward
Joe Mazeau
March 18, 2022
So very sorry to learn of Brendan's passing. He was a joy to be around. We shared a love for our job and the game of golf. He was very good at both. He was smart and funny and I can still see that twinkle in his eye when he slipped some of his low key humor into the conversation.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
John Scully
March 14, 2022
I was sad to hear of Brendans death. Brendan had a wonderful career in the SFFD and a great family. Brendan will be sorely missed. My condolences to the Ward family during this difficult time.
Teri Kalafate and Kit Kalafate
March 8, 2022
This is such sad news. Brendan was always such a happy camper. A real joy to be around. Our thoughts are with all his close friends and loved ones - he'll be so missed by so many.
Joan Culloty Walsh
March 6, 2022
So sorry to hear of Brendan´s passing. Treasure the memories
Ron Morehen
March 6, 2022
Another good man, gone to soon...Rest in Peace brother.
Jim Connors
March 5, 2022
Gods speed Brendan.
Dirk W. Van Waart
March 5, 2022
Rest In Peace Finance Minister!
Your humor and financial/political/sports finesse will be missed.
Stephanie Kiernan
March 5, 2022
I´m so sorry to hear that Brendan has passed. He was a kind man with a great sense of humor. May God bless the Ward family
Joe Devine
March 4, 2022
Dear Sue,
Geez, so sorry to read this, thinking of you my friend.
Joe Devine
Edie and Warren Degraff
March 4, 2022
Susan, So very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man who left you way to early. He lived a full life, leaving you with many memories to remember him in his life with you.
Curtis Maine
March 4, 2022
Brendan was certainly the funniest guy in my Kappa Sigma pledge class at Berkeley in 1974. The fraternity actually invented a new "labor" to honor Brendan's commitment to becoming a firefighter. Brendan was the fraternity's first "fire marshal." He will be missed.
Ben Lampl
March 4, 2022
Brendan was first, one of the nicest people I have ever met. If you ever truly met someone with no enemies, that was Brendan. He also was one of the most tolerant people I have ever met. He stayed married to Susan for 30 years which means he pretty much married my mom too, and let me tell you... that´s not an easy 30 years. My personal favorite thing about Brendan was his humor. He had the most quiet and dry sense of humor that he would only let the right people hear. If you sat next to him in a room full of people you would be laughing the whole time (most of the jokes would be directed at Susan and Kathleen... for good reason). My family called him saint Brendan and that really speaks to how amazing he was... a saint. He will be dearly missed by many but I know Jackson (our dog) and he are in heaven looking down on us, smiling, and protecting us, wishing that whenever we think of them it brings a smile to our face and not a tear to our eye. I love you Brendan, thanks for all the laughs.
Lauren Lampl
March 4, 2022
I´ve been struggling recently to find the words to describe the relationship that I had with Brendan. In the years that I´ve known him, which has been every one since the day I came home from the hospital, I´ve called him an uncle, a god father, the debatably more loved parent of my dog, Jackson, and the person that would be in charge of my brother and me if anything were to happen to my own parents. And yet, none of those labels seem to really convey who Brendan was for me. There are not many people who know you, really truly know you, since the day you are born, and are not related by blood. There are even fewer who share the same unconditional love for you that any immediate family member would. I am lucky enough to have that in Susan and Brendan.
Growing up, my birthday was in the summer, so naturally I didn´t have the class donuts or crazy slumber parties. Frankly, I didn´t really want them. My birthday request each year was that Susan and Brendan come down the hill for my birthday dinner. I cannot think of one that I didn´t celebrate with him smiling at me across the table.
Not shockingly, those nights often included several bottles of wine consumed by all, but spearheaded by my mom and Susan. Without fail, every dinner party, Christmas dinner, or spontaneous drinking occasion (aka any night Sunday through Saturday) ended with Susan and Brendan being the last two standing at my house.
I made a point to look over at Brendan as these nights wound down. He would always be smiling, slightly shaking his head with an all knowing deep adoration and amusement with their repeated routine. On occasion, we would make eye contact, and mouth a silent "wow" as we admired the antics unfold in the kitchen. Eventually, the ever patient Brendan would quietly say "Suz, it´s time." Within the next 2 hours they would leave.
On one of those nights, Brendan earned his nickname. I began to refer to him as "Saint Brendan." As those of you who were fortunate enough to know Brendan are aware, he was incredibly kind and empathetic, patient and caring. He dedicated his life to helping others. And he married Susan.
I´m not particularly religious myself, and cannot say for certain what I think about "what comes next." I do know though, that on February 24th we gained a guardian Angel. Whatever it takes to be granted sainthood, there is a new candidate at the front of the line.
I love you Saint Brendan. Rest easy, and say hi to Jackson for me. I know he´s wagging his tail right now.
Dan Dunnigan
March 4, 2022
I had the pleasure of working with Brendan in the SFFD and on numerous political campaigns, one of the kindest, smartest and toughest human beings I have ever been around! An incredible and profound loss to all that knew him...May he Rest In Peace
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