William F. McLaughlin

William Francis (Bill) McLaughlin arrived as the first child of William F. McLaughlin (Sr.) and Margaret Jane McLaughlin (nee McConville) in Washington D.C. October 8th, 1946. On the vanguard of the postwar baby boom, Bill was joined by five siblings spanning 20 years: Michael Joseph, Mary Patricia, Sean Duggan, Brendan James and Megan Michelle. This large and loving Irish Catholic brood could not have been gifted a better big brother.

Bill’s father William was a WWII combat veteran. His career as a special agent in the F.B.I. took the family from the East Coast to the West, settling in San Rafael, California in 1960. Bill attended St. Raphael’s School, Marin Catholic High School and College of Marin. He graduated from The University of California Davis in 1968.

Very much a young man of his 1960’s era, Bill sported an impressive goatee and cultivated a taste for avant garde poetry, movies and jazz. For a time, he smoked a wooden dutch pipe, studied karate and created psychedelic collage art. He was wicked smart, but unpretentious. Curious, loving and generous.

Moving back  to the Bay Area, Bill enrolled in law school at The University of San Francisco. To pay the tuition he worked nights as a cashier at Union Square Garage. Of the thousands of customers who drove in and out of that garage, one caught Bill’s eye. She was a stylish cosmetologist from the Philippines named Emma Cacafranca.

By the time Bill finished law school and passed the California Bar Exam (on his first try), he and Emma were married. Bill started and built his own law practice in San Francisco and Oakland. Together they raised four children, Ester Ann, Leonard Chavez, Margaret Lucy and Mollie Francis in a union that lasted more than 50 years.

Throughout their marriage, Bill and Emma’s beautiful home on Mangels Street in San Francisco was a family meeting place, a restaurant and, at times a hostel for those of us in need of a crash pad. Their lives were full of love and laughter, but not immune from struggle and sadness. Emma and Bill’s son, Leonard passed away suddenly at age 43. Bill’s career choice was often stressful and demanding. 35 years ago, he courageously became (and remained) a “friend of Bill’s”. He mentored and supported many others battling alcohol addiction. since then.

Early on Sunday Morning, June 9th, Bill waded into the icy water of San Francisco’s Aquatic Park for his weekly swim. It was a decades long routine that he never missed. Bill said the frigid plunge gave him a physical and spiritual lift (though the best part was likely the sauna afterwards followed by coffee, breakfast and the camaradarie of his fellow South End Rowing Club members).

On this day, Bill had sudden heart failure during his swim and could not be revived. He’s gone, but his memory will be as beautiful and lasting as the Bay itself. We will always see his bright smile. We will always hear his infectious laughter. We will always cherish the conversation, the meals, the travel and the tears we shared with this wonderful person. Thank you, Bill. We love you and will miss you always. 

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