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Brignetti

Christopher Brignetti

Brignetti

Christopher Brignetti

Christopher Charles Brignetti

1970 - 2025

BORN

1970

DIED

2025

FUNERAL HOME

Duggan's Mission Chapel

525 W Napa St

Sonoma, California

Christopher Brignetti Obituary

Name: Funeral Mass for Christopher Charles Brignetti
Start: 2025-07-12T17:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Philip Church

Christopher Brignetti
09/05/1970 - 06/28/2025
Born in San Francisco to Margene and Lou Brignetti, Christopher Charles Brignetti attended Sacred Heart High School and UC Santa Cruz. A devoted triathlete, Chris loved pushing his body. Fearless, he got into any number of scrapes as a child. A beloved teacher and coach. A fun dad. A caring husband. A close friend.
Chris was always in motion. He loved running, sailing, especially biking. He showed up with his bike in all manner of unexpected places saying, "Well it was only 'x' miles away, why wouldn't I ride?" But Chris's 'x' could stretch over 100 miles in a day. He shared his love of cycling by co-founding the Twin Peaks cycling club.
One of his favorite early jobs was running the junior sailing program at Inverness Yacht Club. When faced with a string of mornings with minus tides too low for sailing he'd happily organize capture the flag and other games and even the die-hard youth sailors were happy just being near his cheerful high energy. He was always the life of the party, always sharing that big smile and that laugh that one couldn't help but join.
Chris loved people deeply. He kept up with so many friends. He was hilarious, kind, optimistic, inclusive of everyone. He was always protective of and motivated by the happiness of those around him. One example was how he handled youth sailing programs and their inevitable minor disasters. Chris always responded competently and calmly, kindly reassuring the crew foremost, before worrying about the boats.
When Chris started competing in bike racing and triathlons in college, he pursued excellence with his usual intensity. He whittled down his times working hard and smart and soon started coaching others. He loved sharing what he learned and watching his students improve.
Later jobs in optical and audiology were just as focused on helping other people, figuring out what they wanted and helping them get it.
Chris loved his family above all. It is perhaps fitting that he died doing what he loved, riding his bike and spending time with his brother. He is survived by his wife and life partner of 30 years Sarah Winarske, and their daughters Lucia and Ginger; his father Lou; and his brothers Dominic and Tony.
A memorial mass will be held this Saturday, July 12th at 5:00 pm at St. Philip Church (725 Diamond Street, SF) to honor his life.
A Celebration of life will take place the following weekend on Sunday, July 20th at 1:00 pm at McNears Beach (201 Cantera Way, San Rafael, CA)
A fundraiser to help his family has been set up at gofund.me/a02d543f

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jul. 10, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Brignetti

Sponsored by Duggan's Mission Chapel.

17 Entries

The Kelsey Family

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Tim Griffiths and Olra the Beast

July 18, 2025

My heart goes out to all of Chris´ friends and family. You don´t need me to tell you what a great guy he was. Around three decades ago, I got to spend several summers sailing, goofing off, and working with kids on and around Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes National Seashore. It was a magical time and Chris was at the heart of all of it, first as my sailing instructor and later as a colleague and friend. We soaked up everything that time and place had to offer. Since I heard the news of his untimely passing, I´ve been thinking back over many memories from that era. So many of them make me laugh and smile. Just from reading a few of the tributes to Chris, I can tell it is that way for many, many others that met him along his journey through life. I´d like to think Chris would be pleased with that legacy.

Jon stern

July 17, 2025

Chris was such a wonderful energetic person helping me with my various auditory and balance issues. I will surely miss him. Condolences to his family.

Chris Emley

July 17, 2025

Chris was very bright spot in my life. Always helpful, always pleasant, always accepting my fumbling with the hearing aids, never a complaint or even a hint of impatience. In 81 years, I have dealt with perhaps 20 service professionals who were as good at their work as Chris Brignetti. He was a total stand-out, and a sweet person whom I will very much miss.

Carol Fearnot

July 16, 2025

Chris put his heart and soul into his career as a HAD, as well as his family and interests. It can´t be summed up in a brief sentence or two. I am grateful for his help in providing me with hearing aids, earlier than most people need them. I will forever remember him and his light.

Julie Sommer

July 15, 2025

My sincere condolences to the Brignetti Family and friends. One of the kindest people around..

With Love, The Landers´

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Stella Tan

July 11, 2025

Oh Chris , I can´t believe you are gone. He is the Fresh of Breath air each time I see him . His smile is contagious. He likes to dance . He won´t miss the dancing moment every work party
My heart is broken. I was not able to say bye when I left SFA . Goodbye Chris and may you rest in peace

Sylvia Montejo

July 11, 2025

My Condolences to the Brignetti family may Our Lord Jesus Christ give you strength during this time . I knew Chris from work and he was always a delight to work with his smile was always contagious and always so polite we will deeply miss you Chris B. Matthew chapter 5 verse 1 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

UCSF PARN Jennifer and Kookie

Sent Flowers

Karen S

July 11, 2025

During my 93yr old mother´s last apptmt with Dr. Chris, he said let´s schedule a follow-up. I told him that she was in hospice and this would be her last visit. Instead of going behind the desk and waving good-bye, he pushed her wheelchair out to the lobby, and told her it was a pleasure being her audiologist. The kindest gesture to my mom. He was a wonderful person.

Lori Feldman

July 10, 2025

Chris was my amazing long-time audiologist and friend. He spoke proudly of his two daughters and we often chatted about their schooling and accomplishments. I will miss Chris greatly, and hope you know how much he meant to so many people. My sincerest condolences to his loving family.

Barb Smalley

July 10, 2025

Oh Chris, this shouldn´t be.
I have been gone from the Bay Area & haven´t seen Chris in years, but he was one of the TNT tri/iron inaugural originals...and always part of the Team.
Sarah & family, I am so very sorry.

Sean Gogan

July 10, 2025

I was Chris' cross country coach at Sacred Heart. I just remember a fine athlete that always had a smile on his face. My thoughts are with Dom and your family

Rachelle Goodness

July 10, 2025

I was Chris´s supervisor for a few years at HearingLife in San Rafael. Whenever he spoke of his family, his eyes lit up and I could feel his love for the girls and his wife. He cared deeply for his patients and I was always impressed at how many details he knew about each one. The relationships he built was due to his genuine concern for wanting to help people on all levels.

He will be sorely missed and I hope his family will find comfort knowing what a caring and wonderful man Chris was to many.

Nancy Gump

July 10, 2025

Chris was a light in my life - who helped me adjust to hearing aids. Our meetings were always a pleasure, always healing and reassuring. My heart is broken for everyone close to Chris. His memory will always be a blessing to me. Prayers for his family and everyone suffering from this loss.