Name: Celebration of Life for Tyrone "Ty" Saunders
Start: 2025-01-28T01:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-01-28T05:00:00.000Z
Location: Elks Lodge in the Kensington Park Hotel

Tyrone "Ty" Saunders
10/31/1952 - 10/07/2024
Leaving a host of broken hearts behind him, Ty passed peacefully in the early morning hours of October 7th, attended to by both family and friends. His radiant personality and generous spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Ty was born and raised in Western New York, graduated from the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and moved to San Francisco in the mid-1970's, where he immediately found work as a corporate sales rep. It wasn't long, however, before his irreverent wit, charismatic charm and universal appeal led him to an award-winning and widely celebrated career as a Master Bartender. After a decade working in clubs and restaurants in the Mission and Noe Valley, Ty began what would become an almost 30-year reign at the Big Four Lounge in the prestigious Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill. A proud member of Union Local 2, Ty's keen interest in, and knowledge of a wide variety of subjects kept his patrons coming back and clamoring for more of his latest jokes, news and insights as the years rolled by. A devout Oakland A's and Raider's fan, he was especially fond of sports and could often be found on local golf courses and softball fields, as well as being a regular participant in The City's annual Bay-to-Breakers race. Ty also loved to travel, enjoying several trips to Europe and numerous memorable vacations in his beloved Cayman Islands. As kind and intelligent as he was entertaining, his passing is a loss which will be deeply felt by many.
Ty is survived by his Stepfather Henry H. Walker (Phyllis), brother Broderick L. Walker (Ann), nephews Broderick Jr. and Jeffrey H. Walker, and Aunt Lois Goldbourne of Rochester, NY; Uncle Oliver Patterson (Barbara), and cousins Marlin and Russell Patterson of Pittsburg, CA; as well as other relatives and scores of friends and acquaintances, nationwide.
A Celebration of Ty's Life will be held on Monday, January 27th, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Elks Lodge in the Kensington Park Hotel, 450 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94102. All those who plan to attend are kindly asked to RSVP with either Barry McLaughlin or Kathleen Vidal at the following email addresses at your earliest possible convenience:
[email protected]
[email protected]

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Nov. 27, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Tyrone Saunders

Sponsored by Lamorinda Funeral & Cremation Services.

9 Entries

Sandi Porter

March 17, 2025

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

[email protected]

February 2, 2025

A dear friend and wonderful confidant

Roberta Weisenburg

January 27, 2025

I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Ty.
We not only worked together for decades, he was a good friend and neighbor. He was such an intelligent, hard working guy, who was also incredibly generous. When Hurricane Ivan hit the Cayman Islands, he sent multiple generators to help the people he had met on many of his trips there. He was a great coworker and could really service the masses. We were often dealt huge rushes of people when shows were nearby, and our bar was not designed for such service, but we would all come together and get out those drinks. He could recite long poems from memory, and knew so many sports facts. I will always remember he would insist on taking me to the airport, because we lived so close to one another, and I would say no, " I'll take a cab." and he would insist on driving me, especially if it was early morning. He would also give me advice on my travel safety. We lost touch when I left the City, and I was disheartened to hear of his retirement, because I knew how much he loved his role at the Huntington's Big 4 lounge. I personally witnessed the many enduring friendships he held with our returning regular guests and neighborhood patrons. Sending my sincere condolences to his family and many friends.
Roberta Weisenburg

Martin Annush

January 26, 2025

Miss Ty´s positive attitude. Many customers were coming to see him across whole United States. He had such a great personality and kept the guest entertained with many jokes. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Angie

December 11, 2024

He was a customer of ours at Safeway diamond heights . Always Nice . You will be missed !!

Robert Bartoletti

December 3, 2024

Robert Bartoletti, EdD
14 Tuscany Drive
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
609.922.2296 [email protected]

December 3, 2024

Dear Kathleen and Ty´s family,
Receiving your call in October ago to tell me the sad news about Ty´s passing was a shock to my system. This was so sad to hear.
The night after receiving the tragic news, I could not sleep knowing how Ty suffered during those days leading to his death. However, during those waking hours that evening and throughout the week I reflected upon the Ty as I knew him and of course the friendship we forged as well as our friendship over the past 20 years. So many good memories and happy moments I spent with Ty and you at the Big Four. Those moments will never be forgotten.
Whenever JoAnn and I think about our beloved San Francisco and our "home away from Home", The Huntington Hotel, The Big Four, we think of Ty and you. I recall with great fondness many nights when you would arrive after work, and we would close the bar and enjoy that final night cap with Ty... JoAnn would always say as I returned to our room, " I knew you were in good company with Ty and Kathleen". Such a good memory!
Although I may not have the sequence exactly right, the last time I spoke to Ty, he was still tending bar, and he told me about his injury. Then on our next trip to the hotel, I learned that Ty had retired. That had to be November of 2019.... Then the ugliness of Covid followed. I do recall you providing me with the verification of Ty´s phone number. I called but I never heard from him again.
For the past 2 years, we still travel to San Francisco for Thanksgiving but spend our time in Napa but do stay a night or two at the Fairmont. We walk by the shuttered Big Four and a wave of sadness washes over us, but it is overshadowed by the happy days we spent there; the people we met and the wonderful hotel and Big Four staff. Believe me, we miss the level of hospitality we came to enjoy there and the many locals we met primarily due to Ty.
When I reflect upon Ty´s life, not his death, I recall a smart, personable, honest, and talented man who could do his job with a high degree of efficiency managing a bar, major restaurant, lounge even when the place was slammed as Ty would say. As he did his work filling never ending drink orders from the three locations plus room service, he never missed a beat. Carrying on conversations with twenty people at the bar, remembering our favorite drinks and always expressing genuine interest in everyone´s´ life stories and careers.
He was always available for people, even those who at times he needed to say, "You had enough, and I will call you a cab if you are driving!" I also saw him escort folks out of the bar if they crossed the limit of proper behavior.... He genuinely cared about his colleagues and the people he served. He made everyone feel special.... Ty was special. I have been in hotel bars and restaurants too numerous to count. I never met a bartender of Ty´s caliber......his work ethic, his kindness, his personality, his sense of humor and quick wit.... Gosh we loved the guy....
His jokes, sometimes corny but always funny and his political point of view aligned with ours always stimulated friendly conversation ...smart conversation...Kathleen, ...how about this...Ty would start..." a guy walks into a bar and.... The joke begins.... I am terrible remembering jokes...but not Ty.... Such a wonderful, thoughtful, and caring man. So, in our grief, we must try to recall those happy moments we spent with Ty. I know JoAnn and I will, and I know you will too...A person never dies if he/she continues to be remembered. We will continue to remember Ty as a good friend who made this crazy world a bit better for everyone who came to know him. May he rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon his soul. God Bless!

Sincerely,
Bob and JoAnn

Jamie

December 2, 2024

Ty was gracious enough to invite me and my fiancé to join him at his Condo in the Caymans where I married my wife. I wouldn´t have thought about getting married there if he had not made that offer. Just one example of his kindness and thoughtfulness. All around great guy.

Sara

December 1, 2024

Ty was truly one of a kind - I never saw anyone work so hard, keep his cool, and engage with customers all at the same time. Was incredibly sad to learn of his passing. Thanks for your friendship. Sara

Cathie

December 1, 2024

Ty was a dear person, who created a welcome, beautiful bar for locals, regulars and international travelers. He could speak on nearly every subject, and delighted and lifted the spirits of many with well-told jokes and stories. He had a great talent with people and bringing them together, as well as handling any disruptions with discretion. Over the years he helped to guide me through many ups and downs of living in the city, and was always so delightful and very wise. He sure was patient with me. He had a large heart for people, and a deep joy and excitement of life that was infectious. I went on a few group trips with him and people in different countries enjoyed his company - a couple of small restaurants even bringing us extra food. He was a blessing for us and will be missed very much. He was a very special person and I feel very lucky to have known him and been a part of his life. Thank you so much Ty, for being you, your friendship and the care you gave so many of us.

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