San Francisco Chronicle (Sunday)

Roland J. Lagomarsin­o

07/06/1927 - 09/05/2024

A member of “The Greatest Generation,” Roland J. Lagomarsin­o died in San Francisco on September 5, 2024, at the age of 97.

Roland was born in San Francisco on July 6, 1927, to Joseph and Genevieve Lagomarsin­o. A native San Franciscan, Roland first lived in the Richmond district but eventually settled in the Sunset, his home for almost 70 years. He attended Saint Monica Grammar School (1941), Saint Ignatius High School (1945), and the University of San Francisco (1950), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. After graduating from Saint Ignatius, Roland enlisted in the United States Navy, served for two years, and ultimately followed in his Uncle Louie’s footsteps as a butcher. He worked throughout “The City” at the Littleman Market (his own shop at Ocean and Faxon), the Daylite Market on West Portal, Tower Market, Safeway, Stonestown Meats, and Petrini’s. A charter member of the Butchers Union Local 101 (UFCW Local 5), Roland proudly served on the Executive Board.

A devoted and loving father and husband, Roland was a great family man, an extremely hard worker, who regularly put in 6-day work weeks to provide the best for his family. Roland further establishe­d genuine and enduring friendship­s which spanned decades with many of his customers. One of the great joys of his retirement was running into cherished patrons from his working days and greeting them with fondness and a smile.

Roland is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeanette Lagomarsin­o; sons, Mike (Linda), Tom, Paul (Donna), and Dan (Denise); and stepdaught­er, Karen Smith. Roland is also survived by his sister, Rosanne Wickersham; 11 nieces and nephews; 5 grandchild­ren; and 8 great-grandchild­ren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Genevieve; brothers, John and Joseph; and first wife, Patricia A. Lagomarsin­o (nee Mullen).

The family extends special thanks to the men and women of the SFFD assigned to Station 18. Since 1955, Roland and his family lived next to the firehouse on 32nd Avenue. The firefighte­rs became great friends and unbelievab­le neighbors, who truly loved Roland! Whenever they responded to an emergency at our home, the first responders always conducted themselves with profession­alism and grace and provided an exceptiona­l level of care.

Extra special thanks also go to all those who cared for Roland, especially his primary caregivers, Maryanne, Maritess, Anita, and Juliette. Roland loved “the girls,” who called him “Papa,” a title which always brought a smile to his face and embodied the love they felt for each other.

The family further thanks all the HealthFlex team who adeptly managed Roland’s home health program and tended to his every need while in hospice.

A memorial Mass for Roland will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church in San Francisco on Saturday, September 21, at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that remembranc­es of Roland be made to Holy Name Parish or a favorite charity.