The Doctor has left the building! Xavier Barrios, M.D. peacefully ascended into the waiting and open arms of Jesus Christ on September 7, 2016 at the age of 88. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Xavier was born on February 11, 1928 in El Paso, TX. to Pacheco & Emyre Barrios. One of three children (brother, Ignacio and sister, Emy), Xavier chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a physician. After graduating the University of Texas at El Paso at the age of 19, he excelled in medical school at the University of Texas at Galveston.
Xavier headed north to St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI where he completed his medical internship and chose to specialize in ear, nose and throat medicine. It was here where the good and kind young Dr. Barrios was stricken with the love bug when he met charge nurse Ann McDermott from DeWitt IA. Their affection for each other blossomed into a full-blown hospital romance. Ann joined Xavier when he headed to San Francisco to complete his residency at UCSF. They married soon thereafter and settled in San Francisco.
As Xavier developed his private medical practice in The City, he also quickly developed a well-deserved reputation as an incredibly kind and gentle physician whose bedside manner was second only to his surgical skill. He took great pride in his role as head of Ear, Nose & Throat medicine at St. Mary's Hospital and serving on the staffs at St. Luke's Hospital and long-gone Children's Hospital (now CPMC). He also served as President of the San Francisco Medical Society and on numerous boards and committees including the CMA and AMA.
He routinely treated people regardless of their ability to pay. His mantra was that he was here to serve his fellow man. This dedication to relieving the suffering of others earned him the prestigious St. Thomas More Award for Distinction in Public Service from the University of San Francisco in 1972. He continued his practice for the next three decades in The Mission serving an ethnically diverse population until retiring in 2011.
His passions were his family, his Forty Niners, his Giants, his Warriors, his Texas Longhorns and his Cal Bears. His stacks of San Francisco Chronicle Sporting Greens almost earned him a special guest appearance on Hoarders!
Xavier is survived by his children Bill, Jim and Patricia, grandchildren Kathleen, Jacob, Isabelle, Zach, Carlos and Ella. Nieces and nephews David, Ricky, Denni, Missy, Diane, Debby, Terry, Ron and Scott will miss their Tio Xavier, but know that he is serenading all the angels (and anyone else who will listen) with his guitar and singing!
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 10th, 11am at St Cecilia's Church, 2555 17th Ave., SF.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 8 to Sep. 9, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Xavier Barrios

Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.

10 Entries

April 30, 2020

As a new nurse, I briefly worked with Dr. Barrios at his clinic in Mission about 15 years ago. He was a very kind and compassionate man, accepted all patients despite their ability to pay. Now an experienced nurse, I still have yet to meet another MD who is as skilled and compassionate as he is. May you rest in peace, Dr. Barrios. It was an honor to have worked with you.

Gloria Jatho

October 11, 2016

Bill our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Please let Ann know that she is in our prayers too.

We are cousin from Xavier from El Paso, TX.

God's blessing to you all
Gloria Jatho

Richard Pinto

September 10, 2016

Dearest Bill and family,
May the joy that your dad spread to so many as part of his healing vocation continue to fill your hearts with peace at this time. I extend to you my heartfelt sympathies and the assurance of my prayers as your life's journey continues to one day be united with our loved ones in the Heavenly Banquet. Your folks brought great joy and great memories to mine! God love, bless, and keep you well and in His grace.

Alicia Pinto

September 10, 2016

Dearest Barrios family, It was so moving to attend Xavier's funeral Mass this morning. It was a beautiful memory of his life that recalled to our memory all the wonderful deeds that this group of Doctors did in the Mission district. Eventhough they are gone they will be remembered forever with love in our hearts by those who received the goodness of their medicine. As such close friends of Xavier and Ana we will never forget their cheerfulness when we remember them. I will keep them and you, their family, in my thoughts and prayers in union with my family. Beautiful memories will come to you in this moment of separation. Much love!

September 10, 2016

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)

Robert Puccinelli

September 10, 2016

In fond memory of a Happy Warrior and patriot. RIP Dr. Barrios.

Fernando Varas De valdes

September 9, 2016

Estimator amino Javier thank you for all your kindness to me and my family
..Saluda me a jess

John Johnston

September 9, 2016

My MD yrs ago. One time I complained of a very sore, dry throat. He was perplexed by my condition, so I started to leave. He rushed out to the waiting room and had me return. Wrapped gauze around my tongue and nearly pulled it out to be able to look deeper. "Ah, I know what this is!". He asked if I had been under stress (Yes, I had). "Pressure on your lubricating glands is causing them to shut down, thus the severe dryness. This happens in older people, so I didn't expect it in a young person like you". Gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant. In a few days it was all cleared up. May he RIP!!!!

tehran covino

September 9, 2016

Mrs. Barrios, Patricia, Jim and Bill warmly welcomed me into their family. Mrs. Barrios and Patricia were invaluable to me.
Doctor Barrios was my employer, my mentor and friend.
When I first came to Ghana I saw many signs for ENT. I thought Wow there are many ENTs here. But ENT meant enterprise!
Doctor Barrios often sang to his staff in his wonderful tenor voice. The angels will surely add him to their choir!
i will miss his presence in my life and whenever I help a child or adult with ENT issues I know he will be over my shoulders saying, I am going to touch your neck but I will not hurt you because I have the softest hands in the West!

September 9, 2016

I worked with Doctor Barrios for fourteen years as his practice mananger. During that period I was witness to his superb clinical skills and his compassion for his patients. Doctor Barrios often worked beyond his schedule careful to attend to every patient's concern. He treated his staff with respect and was eager to teach us about the ENT world. I learned a vast knowledge of medicine from Doctor Barrios which I have put to good use.
Doctor Barrios was a surgeon first. He loved talking about the surgeries he performed. He was so proud of his surgical instruments!
When Doctor Barrios made the difficult decision to crementlose his practice he as well as the patients were heartbroken. As he settled into retirement we often talked about his tenure at 2480 Mission Street.

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