Timothy Cadigan Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Timothy Cadigan
Start: 2020-02-14T19:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Isabella Catholic Church

Timothy Francis Cadigan

August 31, 1935 - January 28, 2020

Our beloved Timothy Francis Cadigan passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 28th. A San Francisco native, Timothy was born on August 31, 1935 to parents Timothy and Nora Cadigan. While growing up in the Inner Sunset, Tim attended St. Anne's Grammar School, where he made lifelong friends. As a proud Ignatian, Tim was a member of the class of 1953. While attending SI, he played football and enjoyed all sports. He was an active member of The Olympic Club where he enjoyed playing handball and socializing. After high school, Tim proudly served in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Japan. At the age of 23, Tim entered the San Francisco Police Academy in which he had an eventful 30 years. Covering all of San Francisco as a young patrolman, he then spent his career as an Inspector in the Juvenile and Burglary departments. Tim loved serving the city he grew up in and enjoyed sharing endless stories of San Francisco history, people and places. After 30 years in the SFPD, Tim retired at 53.

In 1963, Tim met the love of his life, his wife Sandra, at the Portals bar in San Francisco. They married 6 months later and in 1970, they moved to Terra Linda where they raised their 3 daughters. They were married for 55 wonderful years. Tim is survived by his wife Sandra Cadigan, his daughters Dana McKeon (John), Colleen Maddalena (Mike) and Christine McGuinn (Sean).
He was the devoted and loving grandpa to his 5 grandchildren, Julia and Jack McKeon, Gina Maddalena and Lauren and Ryan McGuinn. He is also survived by his sister Angela Cadigan, and was predeceased by his parents Tim and Nora Cadigan, and his sister and brother Noreen and Jim Cadigan.

Tim was an avid reader and especially loved books on history. He enjoyed hiking in Marin and gardening in his yard. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events and was a devoted and much-loved Papa. Tim enjoyed vacationing with family and friends for over 40 years in Lake Tahoe. He was a true card shark and loved playing Pedro with anyone who was willing to play. Tim enjoyed watching all sports, especially the 49ers and SF Giants. Tim also enjoyed many SI luncheons and reunions with his lifelong friends.

Tim considered himself truly blessed in life and he was loved by all who knew him. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday February 14th, at 11:00am at St. Isabella Catholic Church, 1 Trinity Way, San Rafael, CA. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice by the Bay.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Timothy Cadigan

8 Entries

Patricia and William Warnock

February 13, 2020

Tim was never one to tell you how good he was, you just learned that over the years by watching him.

We always felt Tim was tailor made for his work with SFPD. He was smart, savvy, could carry on a conversation with anyone, and most of all Tim could size you up in matter of minutes never, never giving an indication of what he was discovering along the way.

That September evening in 1964 when Tim noticed a tall attractive brunette young woman walk into the Portals with a group of friends just back from a Giant's game, all the stars in the heavens were perfectly aligned.
Tim walked over and introduced himself. As Sandy turned to look at him it was a case of love at first sight. She made a note to self: tall, handsome, strong, young cop.. (is there anything better?). As the evening of dancing went on in the midst of the merriment around them, Tim's smile, sense of humor and all of the above, started a relationship that lasted almost 55 years.

Over the years I have heard multiple humorous short anecdotes of Sandy's Dad's impression of the young men to came to their home to take his daughter on a date. In his living room chair, ensconced with his evening newspaper her father would always think to himself: No. Not this one. However, when Sandy's parents met Tim for the first time, they knew Sandy found a man with every quality one would want in a life-long mate for their daughter. That was Tim.

Tim had many stories of San Francisco, but our favorite were his humorous narratives of growing up in the inner sunset on 15th Avenue in San Francisco in the late 1930's into the 1940's. This was a time when parents could send their children out to play with the kids on the block and tell them to be home for dinner. Recall America was at War in the early 1940's. Tim and his buddies were keenly aware of the GI's valor revealed to them on the matinee screen every Saturday by Movie Tone News before the main feature began.

Therefore, it was natural for the boys in Tim's neighborhood to emulate that valor and courage with action play, bravely defending the homeland against an invasion by an enemy in the far Pacific, or the one in Europe. What none of them realized was all the while they really were in training for the challenges the United States Marine Core and the SFPD would place before some of them in the future. In the 1940's the countless fences Tim scaled attempting to apprehend a designated enemy served as practice for his life's work.

One particular incident Tim mentioned involved a Foster and Kleizer advertising billboard. The billboards were huge, dark green, wood- framed advertising structures placed on every vacant lot in San Francisco. The Foster and Kleizer billboards as you recall, were painted with the same dark green paint the SF Public Works Dept. used to paint the stairs, railings and edges of playground slides. Can anyone forget the smell that dark green paint emitted in the hot sun? Tim said it was common practice among the boys on the block to climb right to the top of the back side of the billboards while acting out their war games.
It was the perfect foil for climbing up onto a naval ship from a rough sea, or a scaling the walls of a fortress in Germany. Fortunately, no one ever fell. However, one time there was an incident. Tim found a small can of the green paint the last person to paint the billboard left behind. It was open. While climbing down from the back of the structure the can of paint slipped from his hands and landed all over younger Tommy McAttee below him. Tim said it was in Tommy's hair, down his face, on his shirt and shoes. In an instant the group's merriment froze--- while they all watched, Tim did what was right-- he walked home with Tommy to tell his mother that he was responsible for the green paint. Mrs. McAttee's reaction was classic 1943. She took one look at Tommy, pulled him in by the neck, and was furious with him (not with Tim) for playing with the paint. Tommy wasn't seen outside until the next day and then with a light green tinge in his hair. Today this incident would have resulted in litigation.
Through the humor in that story I struck by one thing: even at a young age Tim was acting like Tim he did the right thing. Tim's 2nd sense of knowing what was right followed and served him throughout his life.

For his devoted wife, loving daughters and grandchildren, and for his friends all they now have are the memories of a wonderful husband, a loving father, devoted grandfather and loyal friend.

Tim, we shall remember the many times we laughed and the times you made people draw upon their more principled side, their deep, often hidden, higher moral side, to match the silent yet clear example your actions gave.

Patricia and William Warnock

Phil Downs

February 7, 2020

Tim possessed those traits which define a good cop - quick witted, self effacing, courteous, fair. What set him apart was his loyalty, not only to the purpose of the job, but to his colleagues for whom no burden was too heavy to share. God Bless.

Pat Cunneen

February 6, 2020

We played many an hour in St Anne's schoolyard including Bottoms Up in the old green wooden handball courts. We stayed in touch through the years. He was a solid guy and I will miss him. Pat Cunneen

Judith Garvey

February 2, 2020

I worked with Insp Cadigan on many burglary cases over the years. He was a very nice man who was always prepared and willing to help with whatever I needed for discovery for the case. He worked in the detail when there was a great group of inspectors. I was very grateful to have such high caliber assistance. I hope he enjoyed his retirement. Condolences to his family and friends. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven.

Sam Hamilton

February 2, 2020

A friend who I worked with in the Burglary Detail. A fine man and good friend.

February 1, 2020

I was so blessed to have been a partner of Tim in The SFPD Juvenile Bureau. We did a lot of great police work, and had a great time together. "Timmie" was "one of a kind" and is dearly missed by me. Good rest Partner.

Michael Puccinelli

February 1, 2020

I worked with Tim in the SFPD. He was a mentor, role model and a friend. So sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. He was most definitely one of the good guys. Rest in peace, my friend.

Patrick Cadigan

February 1, 2020

Sandra and Family, I am so sorry to hear this. Tim has been a inspiration to me since I was very young.
My Prayers and Condolences to you all.
May the Choirs of Angels come to greet Tim and welcome him into His Kingdom.
God has another Guardian Angel

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