Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William McDonagh Obituary
July 21, 1949 - August 26, 2014
Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a fierce battle with Merkel Carcinoma Cancer. Loving husband of 42.5 years to Kathy; a friend since childhood and reunited in college at USF. Devoted and loving father to William F. III, Meghan, Micaela and Christie (Rodrigo) Marquez Jr. Adoring "Papa" to Tyler and Tristan Gottlieb. Preceded in death by his mother and father William and Alice Carberry McDonagh also his in-laws John "Jack" and Mary Scannell.Bill attended St. Cecilia grammar school (1963) Sacred Heart High School (1967) Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1984) San Francisco City College (1967-1969) University of San Francisco (1969-1972.)
After college, Bill pursued a career as a building contractor. He was an active member of the Residential Builders Association. Bill was a founding member of the United Irish Cultural Center that he helped build from the ground up in 1973. He was also a member of the Olympic Club, where he especially enjoyed taking "steams" and attending annual Father Daughter dances.
In 2012 Bill was diagnosed with Body Inclusive Myosistis. For Bill, this was a minor setback that wouldn't deter him from living life to the fullest. He managed to maintain his independence by conducting business and visiting friends of West Portal by means of his candy apple red scooter.
We will always remember his great sense of humor, how much he enjoyed exchanging jokes, recipes and stories. He especially loved sharing stories about his lovely cousins and family in Ireland and proud accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Bill was a huge fan of Notre Dame football, S.F. 49ers and S.F. Giants. Life long resident and dedicated San Franciscan.
Bill's favorite vacation destinations were in Maui and at "Club Mac" on the Russian River, where we had many years of wonderful gatherings with family and friends.
Friends may call Tuesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Vicente St. & 17th Ave. were the Vigil Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday September 3, at 11:00 a.m. Committal, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. May God hold you in the palm of his hand until we meet again.
Donations to Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, 1055 Ellis St., S.F., 94109 St. Cecilia's school, 660 Vicente St., S.F., 94116 or American Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William McDonagh
American Cancer Fund
September 22, 2014
The staff of the American Cancer Fund® at www.AmericanCancerFund.org is sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We have just received a memorial donation in his name and our sincere condolences go out to his family.
Earl Cline
September 15, 2014
On behalf of my father Earl and myself, we were deeply saddened to hear of this news. Billy Mac was such a fun spirit to be around and he will be sorely missed.
Our deepest sympathy to the family! God Bless.
Marty Mullen
September 5, 2014
A sound boss and a lovely gentleman like his father before him. Our condolences to Kathy and family
Marty Mullen (formely San Francisco) Ballyconneely , Co Galway Ireland
September 4, 2014
Billy Mac
There was none better! The times we shared together on and off the football fields of City College and USF are forever etched in my memory. The laughs we shared every time we got together were special. My condolences to Kathy and the Scannel family. Bill will live on in all our memories!
Dan Martin
Michael & Cindy Sullivan
September 4, 2014
What a loss for all who knew and loved him. Please know you are all in our prayers.
September 3, 2014
May God keep blessing your family with beautiful memories of your father, Christie. Our prayers are with you all. -- Isabel and Virginia
George Dudum
September 3, 2014
Kathy and Family,
Many Blessings to you and yours.Heaven just got much brighter with Bill's arrival.
George and Toni Dudum
Morones Family
September 3, 2014
Another angel in heaven. Christie and Rod I love you. May Billy Mac rest in peace
Jessica Ryan Goglin
September 3, 2014
Kathy and family,
all our love and deepest regards;may Bill
rest in the Arms of Our Lord!
Jacqui Henrich
September 2, 2014
Dear Kathy, Micaela and your family. Sending my love and prayers for sweet memories of happy times, laughter, & love. You are in my heart and prayers, Jacqui XOXOXOZ
John McGreevy
September 2, 2014
Never mind Jim Datrice, Carl Braboy or Jim Anderson. Best running back in SF ever: Billy McDonagh. You're a legend ol' buddy! Kathy, condolences to you and your family. Go Irish.
Tom and Ruthie Kurpinsky
September 2, 2014
Bills sparkling eyes and generous smile will always be with us ...may he rest now
Much love to you Kathy and family ??
September 2, 2014
Bill is just on another plane of life...he will be with his family and friends still in spirit always. From a passing friend with condolences...
September 2, 2014
Dear Kathy ,
I pray that you and your family will find the light and that you never lose that beautiful smile . Bill was one of the great ones.
With love, Courtney family
John Cercos
September 2, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the entire McDonagh/Scannell families. In my heart, Billy will always be a, tremendous athlete, respected opponent, gracious victor, terrific classmate (St. Cecilia '63) and smiling friend. God Bless
Kathy Stone-Green
September 2, 2014
God bless all the family. Sorry to hear this news. Wonderful St. Cecilia's memories.....
I know he's smiling down from heaven...
September 2, 2014
God Bless 9-F
Tim Gallagher
September 2, 2014
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my own familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Canon Henry Scott-Holland, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral (1847 – 1918)
September 2, 2014
Dear Kathy and family,
Our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
May your love and wonderful memories help you at this time.
Love, Bob & Marla Plurkowski
Daniel Maguire
September 2, 2014
Mcdonaghs, May God bless your family with peace and comfort your hearts!
September 1, 2014
Billy gave me my favorite
childhood toy
a stuffed teddy bear
I named Teddy
almost made it to see him last year
but got sick on the day of the
appointment
Chris King
(Festus Christopher King)
John Mullen
August 31, 2014
Billy Boy RIP, I'll see you down the road. Your with good friends.
August 31, 2014
Your in our thoughts and prayers, a wonderful man....
Xoxo
The Mullens from New Jersey ....
August 31, 2014
My thoughts are with you Kathy & all the family. Many's a laugh I had with him when i was working at Marcellos.RIP BILL.
Moire Wade (Ireland)
Bill & Joyce Pisani
August 31, 2014
So sorry for the family loss. Bill was one helluva guy. God speed to all.
Barbra Paul-Elzer
August 31, 2014
RIP Bill. May your family find the strength to get thru this sad time.
Gerry & Meg Callanan
August 30, 2014
It was always a pleasure to run into Billy Mac, we will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Linda Dorsey
August 30, 2014
Love to all!
August 30, 2014
Sally Casazza, and the San Francisco Firefighter's Toy Program...
Jo Biel
August 30, 2014
God bless the children so loved by their dad.
Rosie and Jim Horan
August 29, 2014
Kathy and family,
As said before, Bill was Mr. SH and he was such a proud alum of the '67 class. We hold you in our hearts and prayers through this difficult time.
Jim and Rosie Horan
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Make a Donation
in William McDonagh's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for William McDonagh
Funeral services provided by:
Duggan's Funeral Service - The Duggan Welch Family3434 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William McDonagh's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
