Neal McGettigan

1941 - 2022

Neal McGettigan
September 25, 1941 - August 2, 2022
A loving husband,proud father, and gentleman of the City, Neal McGettigan passed away peacefully,Aug 2,2022. He strove always"to give and not to count the cost, to labor and not to seek reward."
Although he spent the first 10 years in Santa Rosa,where his father, Toland McGettigan, served as District Attorney, Neal considered himself a son of San Francisco. His mother, Patricia McCormick,insisted that her son be born in the City, just as Neal's older brother, Toley, had been, so that his roots would be firmly planted here and grow over his lifetime.
With each of his alma maters, Neal remained loyal and involved, and a lifelong friend to classmates, faculty and staff. He walked to St. Brendan School from 5th to 8th grades and rode the bus to SI ('59) and USF(BA'63 and JD'67). He served over many years on the SI Board of Regents and was a resource on SI's Alumni Board for more than 30 years. Others counted on his keen knowledge of classmates and teachers as he knew his history.
For 50 years Neal practiced law, his office being downtown in the Mills Building. He also visited clients who referred to him as the"Dr Welby" of law.
He was a student of SF and CA history and loved researching his ancestry online, in libraries, and on site, including sleuthing for McCormick Bros. manhole covers on City streets, iron pillars in Petaluma,original or relocated sites of O'Dea homes and the horseshoeing shop,and a McGettigan-Toland site in Vallejo all of which he would share with his family.
He also loved the 49ers and could recount records and the succession of quarterbacks. He attended his first Kezar game in 1946, when the Niners played the Buffalo Bills, and he continued as a season ticket holder until the last game at Candlestick.
Neal golfed at the Olympic Club, teeing off Saturday mornings for many years with a favorite foursome and later enjoyed the Clambake group golfing weekends. He loved the camaraderie as much as the sport.
He served as president and lifetime supporter of Serra International, a board member of Good Shepherd Home, and Knight Commander with Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara O'Dea, and his son, Matt; he loved both and gave his wife irreplaceable love and companionship, and he offered his son guidance and respect and modeled how to accept life as it came.
Neal is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Toley, and sister-in-law, Sue Fitzpatrick; he is survived by his sister-in law, Marcia O'Dea, RSCJ,as well as by beloved nieces and nephews Kerry (Pete) Sargent,Kevin (Debbie)McGettigan, Kathleen (Erik) Rudi, and Toley(Kristine)McGettigan with their beloved children. Both his and his wife's cousins will miss him sorely.
A rosary will be said at St. Brendan Church, 29 Rockaway Ave, San Francisco on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 5 p.m. with viewing at 4p.m. The Funeral Mass of Loving Remembrance will take place at St.Brendan on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10: 30 a.m. followed by Interment at Holy Cross cemetery and a reception. The funeral Mass will be live streamed from the church www.stbrendanparish.org.
A memorial donation may be made to the St. Ignatius College Preparatory Class of 1959 Scholarship (2001 37th Ave, SF 94116 / www.siprep.org).