John Noonan

John "Jack" Joseph Noonan

82, a native of San Francisco, California died peacefully on May 12, 2015. Jack was a devoted father and a proud grandfather. He was a man with a generous heart and sense of adventure who appreciated literature, opera and the arts. His family was very important to him and he was very proud of his Irish heritage.

Jack was born in St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco to Ben Noonan from County Cork Ireland and Kit Culhane Noonan from County Limerick. With the death of his mother Kit, he and his younger brother Frank were raised by Mae Culhane McGrath, Kit's sister and her husband John "Uncle Mac" McGrath. Mae and Mac had four children of their own. Sister Kathleen McGrath, BVM and Sister Eileen Jarlath McGrath O.P. along with their two sons now deceased, William and Gene. Jack's dad and his extended family the Culhanes and Guineys were always there for him. Jack graduated from St. Paul's grammar school in 1946 and from Sacred Heart High School in 1950. Jack served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Ajax.

Jack and his former wife, Nancy Shaules Noonan (deceased) had three daughters Kathleen (Kitty) Gerada, Maureen Saunders, Susan Amy and two children who preceded him in death Edward John (Jude) and Mary Dymphna. Jack and his former wife, Judith Long had one child, Juliet Rose. Juliet has three siblings whom Jack loved and raised as his own.

After graduating high school Jack joined the Photo Engravers Union. He owned Salter Brothers Photo Engraving Co., followed by Jack Noonan's Graphics. Upon his retirement, Jack became involved in many charities, especially the St. Vincent de Paul Society, for which he served as Conference President and District Council President. He was a tireless worker for St. Vincent de Paul throughout his final years.

Jack had a strong Catholic faith and was member of All Hallows Parish. He was led by his faith and dedicated his life to serving those who were disadvantaged. His generous efforts were recognized when he was awarded the Father Alfred Boeddeker Humanitarian Award for a lifetime of extraordinary charitable achievements in 2007. Jack was also a friend of Bill W and a source of strength to many people.

In his last days, Jack was very busy dining with friends, attending mass at St. Vincent de Paul in Petaluma and in San Francisco, visiting his children, attending charity meetings, delivering Mother's Day baskets at Laguna Honda Hospital, as well as delivering bread to those in need. These activities in the weekend before his passing exemplify how he lived his life every day. Jack was an inspiration to all, and his children and grandchildren aspire to carry on this legacy.

Jack is survived and will be missed by his children: Kitty and Matthew Lawson, Maureen and Scott Stuhldreher, Susan; Juliet and Jon Bivetto; Grandchildren; Andrew, Matthew, Michael, Kaitlyn, Kelly, Max and Emilia; brother Frank and sister-in-law Lois Noonan and their children; cousins Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Jarlath, the Culhane and McGrath families, and his extended family Judith Long, Desiree, John, Joshua, Autumn, Alexia, Mekhi, Dion, Jayden and Ariana.

Visitation for family and friends will begin at 6 p.m. and the Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 11that Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 12th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, corner of Valley and Church Streets in San Francisco.

For those who desire, please make donations to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1715 Oakdale Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124.