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Virgil Caselli Obituary
05/29/1940 - 11/16/2024
Virgil Paul Caselli, Sr. – San Francisco Native
Virgil passed away peacefully Nov. 16 in San Francisco. Virgil was a native of North Beach, where he was raised in a traditional Italian setting, surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Virgil attended Sts. Peter and Paul and Salesian Boys Club in his youth. As a teenager, he attended St. Ignatius at its Stanyan St. location, followed by UC Berkeley for undergraduate studies, and USF where he obtained an MBA. Virgil served over 30 years in the Coast Guard Reserve and retired as a Commander. In his professional life, he served as CEO of Ghirardelli Square and followed his entrepreneurial spirit, starting a commercial real estate services and investment firm. Virgil turned his love of San Francisco into positive action. He had a deep appreciation for his roots and an undeniable love for The City and its diverse neighborhoods and geography. As an adult, while raising his three native SF children, he sought ways to improve San Francisco and life for its residents. He served many years in the Guardsmen charitable organization – providing underprivileged and at-risk children opportunities to attend camps. Virgil was on the inaugural board of directors of the GGNRA and the SF Maritime Museum (his grandfather Mateo sailed annually on the Balclutha to fish salmon in Alaska), which allowed him to help others enjoy SF's beauty and history. Virgil served on boards for many City beautification projects - his crowning achievement was chairing the Committee to Save the Cable Cars – a position to which he was appointed by Mayor Dianne Feinstein. Virgil's love of San Francisco and its citizens fueled a life of civic duty geared towards establishing San Francisco as the crown jewel of the west coast. Only his devotion to his family and friends surpassed his service to San Francisco. He is survived by his daughters Tierney and Megan, son Virgil, Jr. and his six grandchildren, Mary McKeon-Caselli, sister Christine and brother Matthew.
A Celebration of Virgil's life will be held Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 2:30pm at the SF Italian Athletic Club, 1630 Stockton St.
Donations in Virgil's memory can be made to the Fisherman's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel, c/o Frank Lavin, 505 Beach St. Suite 120, SF, CA 94133, or the San Francisco VA Hospital: SF VA Healthcare System, CDCE, 4150 Clement St, Mail Code 135, SF, CA 94121
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Virgil Caselli
Beatrice Bearg
March 4, 2025
Love you so much Nono. We miss you down here
Chris Monahan
January 12, 2025
RIP Dear Classmate
Patrick Cronin
January 9, 2025
Rest in peace my beloved uncle. Your legacy lives on in the stories we tell and the memories we cherish.
David Kraechan
January 9, 2025
Rest in peace good friend.
Buzz Pedrotti
January 8, 2025
Virgil was always to older, wiser, nicer, handsomer, charming cousin from that wonderful Caselli family that we Pedrotti boys aspired to be. We got to know him when he was helping to build the Carquinez Bridge and stayed at our house. When we visited SF and rode the cable cars , we were proud to know Virgil helped lead the restoration of these iconic landmarks.
Seeing him was always such a pleasure. As we Caselli, Ricci cousins met regularly, is was such a special joy when he could attend. I treasure these memories.
I now find that I am grateful to the Lord for many things, Virgil was a gift. It pleases me to look at a picture of the family and to think he is now again at peace in the arms of the Lord, surrounded by his family and friends, forever happy in their warm repartee.
Paul Roos
December 31, 2024
Worked closely with Virg (we called him Casseroli) on several Guardsmen projects including being Co-Chairmen of Spring Fundraising one year. He was devoted to SF and to its, and his, Italian heritage. We were both Coasties as well. Will miss "Don Virgilio." RIP...
Condolences to family.
Michael Federle
December 24, 2024
I had the good fortune to know Virg for 50 years..what a great person, father, officer , friend and all around American...he had a fabulous sense of humor as well.
A rare human who will be missed by many..RIP Virg...
Darlene Plumtree
December 23, 2024
So sorry to hear of Virgil´s passing. Condolences to his family.
Darlene Plumtree and Carl Nolte
Hagen Choi
December 23, 2024
Please rest in peace!
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