James E. Cadden M.D.

1948 - 2022

James E. Cadden, M.D.
September 29, 1948 - May 20, 2022
Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2022 at the age of 73. Born in San Francisco in 1948 to John and Dolores Cadden, he was one of six children. He was a fourth generation San Franciscan and so proud of his family's history on Angel Island. He was raised in the Sunset District of San Francisco and attended Holy Name Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School, and University of San Francisco. He went on to medical school and graduated from the University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School. He then became an Emergency Department physician and spent his career at Kaiser Oakland and Kaiser Santa Rosa. Upon his retirement, he worked at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, CA. He loved his profession so much.
Jim was a beloved husband to Carol for 53 years and a loving and fun father to Jennifer Cadden (and partner Mike Tosti), Amy (Mike) Ryan, and Michelle (Jovan) Yglecias. He was "Poppy" to his grandchildren Jake, Ben, and Nick Howe; Molly and Zach Ryan; and Violet and Alejandro Yglecias. Poppy was the best kind of grandfather: an instigator and mischief-maker, a "fixer" of boo-boos, big and small, an affectionate teaser, and always had room in the kitchen for one of his seven sous chefs. He always encouraged education and was a teacher of historical facts, whether you wanted to hear them or not, which garnered him the affectionate nickname of Cliff Claven. Kind and caring, he had a warm smile, sparkling Irish eyes, and a contagious laugh. He was a lover of salmon fishing, cooking, the Grateful Dead, Hawaiian shirts, tie-dyed shirts, crab cioppino, and science fiction.
He is survived by sisters Diane (Jack) Hayes and Kathy Cadden, and brother Hugh (Luanne) Cadden. He is preceded in death by his brother Tyke and sister-in-law Rosemary Cadden, and brother Christopher Cadden. Jim was son-in-law to the late John and Doris Keating and brother-in-law to John (Dede) Keating, Pat (Allan) Ramsay, Tom Keating, and the late James Keating. He was Uncle Jim to numerous and wonderful nieces and nephews, including Michael Cadden, his best friend and co-captain in all things fishing. Jim was one of an amazing cohort of Cadden-Mooney cousins who have stayed lifelong friends.
His gentle passing was a blessing that brings comfort to us all. He will be so missed by Carol, his girls, his sons-in-law, his grandchildren, and everyone who knew him. A celebration of Jim's life will be held at a later time. In honor of Jim's memory, donations in his name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choosing.