Tim Pearce

1953 - 2023

Tim Pearce
July 8, 1953 - December 16, 2023
First and foremost, Tim was a third generation San Franciscan and waterman. He grew up in West Portal and attended St. Brendan's where he was part of the championship basketball team that went to Los Angeles for the State title in 1967. As a standout pitcher at Abraham Lincoln High School, he was offered a scholarship to Stanford. But his love was the ocean.
Summers were spent in Capitola where Tim began surfing at an early age. Paddling out at Privates, Cement Ship, Pleasures, Cowells, The Lane, 26th Avenue, four-mile, County Line, Ano Nuevo and more, Tim had a dream-like childhood of surfing. A waterman from the very beginning, Tim took his surfing to the highest levels and the furthest reaches of the world: Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Tahiti, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and all up and down the California coast and even Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch, he relished surf adventure.
He was most proud of his over 60 years of surfing in the City at Kelly's, VFW, Middle of the Beach, Deadman's, The Fort, The Cliffs and even Mine Docks. This is how Tim will want to be remembered as a waterman.
A 30 year- employee of SF Rec and Park, Tim was part of the Park Patrol. He covered every inch of Rec and Park properties throughout the City. Proud to know all the "hidden plumbing" thanks to his dad, the late John Pearce, former head Plumber for the City.
But Tim's greatest pride was in his family. His children were his primary focus. Coaching baseball and basketball, building a batting cage and basketball court in the backyard, supporting travel teams, batting practice and working on free throws, Tim was the number one fan at his children's sports.
Then came the grandchildren. He couldn't have been more pleased with the role of Papa to Ziggy (7) and Aurora Mae (10 months).
In later years, Tim fulfilled a dream to own a mountain home in Lassen County where the children and grandchildren gathered for hot summer days in Papa's awesome forest pool or on his little fishing boat on Lake Almanor.
He was predeceased by his parents, John and Vivienne.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah; son, Sonny (Katie); daughter, India (Casey); brother, John (Heidi); sister, Bev; grandson, Ziggy Moon; and granddaughter, Aurora Mae; and many nieces and nephews.
To all of Tim's friends, your love and support will never be forgotten. He treasured his friends greatly and you guys made these past few years truly meaningful. Thank you!
To his beloved pets who crossed the Rainbow Bridge: Jude I, Butch, Jude II, LULU and Minnie and the cats--Ginger and Scotty (mostly cats but dogs in their hearts). They will wait for him. He will have sticks and tennis balls and you'll swim together again. The cats may not swim but you never know with them.