James "Jim" Lawrence Galvin

A long-time resident of San Francisco, Jim Galvin passed away peacefully after a long illness on August 19, 2026, at the age of 84 with his family at his side.

Born in 1941 to John and Elizabeth Galvin, Jim spent most of his childhood in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. He earned a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and then served the federal government in several Great Society programs, including the Office of Economic Opportunity in D.C. and Chicago and the VISTA national service program in Las Cruces, New Mexico, before earning a PhD in Education from the University of Oregon.

After several years of additional adventures, including a professional switch to the field of information technology, he settled permanently in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, and lived there happily with his third wife, Kathleen Byrne, for over thirty years. An active couple, they continued to travel, camp, hike and laugh together in California and around the world. Jim rowed in the Bay with friends and rode his bicycle over the hills of San Francisco and beyond well into his 70s. Remaining committed to service to his community and dedicated to the ideals of egalitarianism and inclusivity, he built a broad network throughout the Bay Area and is remembered fondly for his steady friendship and kindness.

Jim is survived by his two younger sisters, Joan Huff and Ann Homan of San Francisco, and by his two daughters, Bonnie Galvin of Veyrier, Switzerland; and Jenny Galvin of Portland, Oregon; as well as his granddaughters Rowan and Fiona Meagher, and nephews Mark and Joel Huff.

A private memorial in San Francisco is planned for a later date. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy https://www.parksconservancy.org/

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