John Francis Kerbleski
December 7, 1947 - July 23, 2021
John Francis Kerbleski, 73, died in his San Francisco home on July 23, 2021, surrounded by his family. He died of Parkinson’s disease with rapid onset dementia. He was born in Detroit, MI, on December 7, 1947, and raised in Bay City, MI. Since 1970, he has made San Francisco his home. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and mentor. He loved reading, movies, and was always ready to play a game. His philosophical way of life was to accept everything as it is.
He was a proud graduate and Valedictorian of St. Mary’s Catholic High School (1966) in Bay City, MI. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, and attended Golden Gate University Law School (1976) in San Francisco.
In the late 1960s, John became a member of the National Maritime Union (NMU), AFL/CIO, in New York. He relocated to Central California and NMU’s San Francisco headquarters. He was a union organizer and assisted Cesar Chavez to organize migrant farm workers. At this time period, he met his future wife, Marian, in San Francisco, when she was a student nurse.
Upon completion of law school, John focused on estate planning, probate, and banking. He established his own probate law practice and eventually partnered with his friend and mentor Henry Todd. He was on the Board of Directors at the Bank of Canton and Mission National Bank in San Francisco.
John was a lifetime member of the Mechanics’ Institute; he used the library and participated in the chess club. He was a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco and City Club of San Francisco. He enjoyed domino and chess tournaments and card games. Throughout the 1990s, he worked extensively with the San Francisco Boys & Girls Club and served as President of the Board from 1998-1999. John was passionate about working with disadvantaged youth and the club’s outdoor educational program, Camp Mendocino.
He and his wife raised their children in the Outer Sunset of San Francisco where he was an active member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. He volunteered for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Athletics Program, both as a coach and league organizer, and encouraged participation for girls. John encouraged his children’s involvement in sports and Scouting. Together with his wife, John created an inclusive home, welcoming many extended family members, friends, and students from Rotary International, the Notre Dame Ultimate Frisbee Club, and Seattle University. Many fond memories and traditions were created with extended family and friends at the annual Wente Family Camp Boy Scout trip.
He is survived by Marian (Schrader), his wife of nearly 49 years, their four children: Joseph (Maria), Elizabeth (Arthur), Thomas (Jennifer), and Katherine, and six grandchildren: Cyrus, Abigail, Jacqueline, Genevieve, Connor, and Ramin. Also surviving are his eight younger siblings: Mary Jane (Mike) Restani, Joseph (Marie) Kerbleski, Patrick (Barbara) Kerbleski, Rosemary (Brenda) Kerbleski, Francis (Kathy) Kerbleski, Martin (Elizabeth) Kerbleski, Beatrice Kerbleski, and Gerard (Julie) Kerbleski and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The Funeral mass will take place at Holy Name of Jesus Church (39th Ave & Lawton St, San Francisco) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 10:30 am (masks are required), followed by a celebration of life at the Irish Cultural Center (2700 45th Ave at Sloat, San Francisco). There will be a private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery (Colma) at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club, Holy Name of Jesus School Educational Endowment Fund (www.holynamesf. org) or other educational institution of your choice. The family would like to thank MeliCor Care Agency, Pathways Hospice, and Kaiser Permanente for their care. Cremation arrangements to be arranged by Duggan’s Serra Mortuary (duggans-serra.com).