Timothy Albert Retallick

Tim Retallick, 66, of San Leandro, CA, passed away on February 22, 2025. Born on January 24, 1959, in Philadelphia, PA, he was the youngest of five children to the late Kenneth & Lorraine Retallick. Known for his craftsmanship, creativity, and humor, Tim brought people together with his hard work and can-do attitude. To many, he was the greatest fixer and problem solver.

Growing up in Philly, Tim formed lasting friendships at Our Lady of Calvary Elementary and Archbishop Ryan High School. These bonds remain strong to this day, lasting over 60 years.

Entering the 80’s, Tim was offered a life-changing job opportunity in Alameda, CA. He packed up his 1976 Mercury Cougar with his best friend and embarked on a cross-country journey full of stories to find his new home.

Tim married his soul mate and love of his life, Barbara, and together they raised two incredible sons, Dennis and Andrew. Tim’s greatest joy was being surrounded by his boys, which brought him great pride to hear others call them carbon copies of himself.

Tim had many handy hobbies, including restoring his 1964 Triumph TR4 and leading extreme DIY projects at home. He enjoyed building a sewing room for his wife, creating elaborate Halloween costumes for his kids, and tinkering in his cluttered workshop. He cherished visiting his favorite coffee shop on weekends before mowing the neighborhood's lawns (yes, multiple lawns). Tim was a loyal fan of the San Jose Sharks since their inaugural season and rooted for his childhood team, the Philadelphia Eagles, which he took great pleasure in watching them dominate Super Bowl LIX.

Tim spent his career solving problems and sharing his mechanical expertise. He spent over a decade working at Superior Automatic Sprinkler Company, where he took pride in running their fabrication shop and collaborating with their engineering teams. He built a community of peers and friends who admired his knowledge, drive, and dedication.

Tim’s true passion was serving others, as his helpful methods were known as the "The Tim Way." He always answered a call for assistance, whether from a neighbor, friend, or family member. Tim was loved by all and will be deeply missed by those who were touched by his generosity.

Tim is survived by his wife Barbara, his sons Dennis and Andrew, his brother Phillip (Rita), his sister Missy Lynd (Dean), and his beloved extended family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 28th at 1PM at Church of Assumption in San Leandro followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the organizations that Tim cared deeply for: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and American Red Cross

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