Walter Patrick Conlan
Birth: 14 Nov 1899, San Francisco, California
Death: 25 Feb 1977, San Francisco, California
Walter Patrick was the fourth child of the Patrick and Annie Conlan. He was born on November 14, 1899, in San Francisco, though his World War I said his birthday was September 5, 1900, and that his middle name was Joseph. He grew up in the SOMA
and Mission Districts and had a 2-year high school education, which was unusually for a boy at the time. He was 12 when his father died. Usually the boys left school early, as his brother had, to enter the workforce and help the family. According to his draft card, he was of medium height and weight with blue eyes and red hair. Rich remembered that Walter had a limp, but the draft card said he did not have any physical disability that would have disqualified him for service.
In 1919, Walter began working at the California Screw Company on Clementina Street. He was a machinist. He would work there for the next fifty-four years, retiring at the age of 73. Like his sister Lillian, he was an early riser and was always the first one to work and would get the office ready for his coworkers by turning on the heat and starting the coffee.
A few years after their brother Jim died, hem and Lillian to move from the house on 19th Street and downsize to a nearby apartment. They moved around the corner to 94 Lapidge Street.
Death: 25 Feb 1977, San Francisco, California
Walter Patrick was the fourth child of the Patrick and Annie Conlan. He was born on November 14, 1899, in San Francisco, though his World War I said his birthday was September 5, 1900, and that his middle name was Joseph. He grew up in the SOMA
and Mission Districts and had a 2-year high school education, which was unusually for a boy at the time. He was 12 when his father died. Usually the boys left school early, as his brother had, to enter the workforce and help the family. According to his draft card, he was of medium height and weight with blue eyes and red hair. Rich remembered that Walter had a limp, but the draft card said he did not have any physical disability that would have disqualified him for service.
In 1919, Walter began working at the California Screw Company on Clementina Street. He was a machinist. He would work there for the next fifty-four years, retiring at the age of 73. Like his sister Lillian, he was an early riser and was always the first one to work and would get the office ready for his coworkers by turning on the heat and starting the coffee.
A few years after their brother Jim died, hem and Lillian to move from the house on 19th Street and downsize to a nearby apartment. They moved around the corner to 94 Lapidge Street.
On February 11, 1977, Walter was admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital with lung cancer. It had metastasized to the bone, and Walter died on February 25, 1977. He was 77 years old. After private services, he was laid to rest with his brother Jim in Section L2 of Holy Cross Cemetery.
Walter’s nephew Rich remembered him as a happy-go-lucky redhead who always had a smile on his face. He was always at the family dinners, whether they were at the house on 19th Street or at Howard and Etta’s house in Burlingame. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful, infectious laugh. He was gregarious and loved to tell stories, mostly about baseball and days at Seal Stadium and other neighborhood ballparks. He may have been a batboy when younger. He loved baseball and knew every player’s stats.
Walter’s nephew Rich remembered him as a happy-go-lucky redhead who always had a smile on his face. He was always at the family dinners, whether they were at the house on 19th Street or at Howard and Etta’s house in Burlingame. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful, infectious laugh. He was gregarious and loved to tell stories, mostly about baseball and days at Seal Stadium and other neighborhood ballparks. He may have been a batboy when younger. He loved baseball and knew every player’s stats.