A Resident’s Reflection on South San Francisco; Raymond Bagley’s one centesimal Birthday:

South San Francisco, CA June 13, 2016 Submitted by the City of South San Francisco

Happy 100th birthday, Ray!
Photo: City of SSF

What is the secret to a long, happy life? Just ask Raymond Bagley of South San Francisco. Ray, as he is known to family and friends, celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday, June 6th. It's not every day that you meet someone who has seen how life has changed in the last century. The town had a chance to chat with Ray, his son Bill and his neighbor Pam. These are his reflections on South San Francisco.

Ray was born in Minnesota in 1916 and grew up there. He worked with his parents and siblings on the family farm. Eventually, the warm weather and job prospects lured Ray to Southern California, where he joined the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1940, Ray made his way to San Francisco to begin developing the South San Francisco neighborhood we now know as Brentwood.

Ray was a master plumber, a trade he learned during his time in the Navy. He worked in almost every home, installing plumbing systems, pouring the foundations and even helping homeowners move into their new construction in Brentwood.

Ray used his plumbing skills for New Mission Plumbing and Heating on Hillside Boulevard and eventually worked for Atlas Heating and Ventilation on Cabot Road. “I’ve always been a good worker,” Ray says. After years of commuting from San Francisco to South San Francisco for work, a house in the neighborhood that he helped build caught his attention. The costs? A cool $10,000. He and his wife bought the house on Wildwood Drive in 1950 and raised their family there. Ray and his son Bill live there today.

What brought you to South San Francisco?
Park! Even back then, there were hardly any parking spaces in San Francisco. I was overjoyed to have my own garage where I could park my car.

What is one of your favorite memories of South San Francisco?
Growing up on a farm, I always enjoyed actively growing fruits and vegetables in my backyard and so on. But I cut back on some things after I received a letter from the water department a few years ago.

One thing I will always remember is how neighborly and friendly everyone here is. Over the years, when you started a project or needed help, you would look around and see about five people standing right there helping.

What is a piece of history that you think most people in South San Francisco don't know about?

Everyone here has been friendly over the years. The people here are different than in other cities. I have a good neighbor across the street in Pam Gradney.

What do you think is South San Francisco’s “best kept secret”?
We used to have to take our things to the landfill ourselves; there was no garbage collection. I would take so much stuff with me! These days there are limits to what you can and can't take.

What’s your favorite thing to do in South San Francisco?
“My wife and I would walk to Tanforan and watch the horse races, we often enjoyed doing that.”

These days, Ray spends most of his time in his favorite spot in the house, looking out his living room window, watching a football game on TV, or watching Karyl Matsumoto and Mark Addiego on the PEG channel. On Saturday evening there is a family dinner at the Bagley house, with his son Bill preparing dinner. Spaghetti is often the meal of choice as it is Ray's favorite food. His grandson Robert, his favorite neighbor Pam, and other friends enjoy gathering for family dinners and barbecues and barbecues on warm days and holidays to spend time with Ray. And sometimes Bill puts on the organ and plays Ray's favorite songs.

What would you like other people to know about South San Francisco?

Stay here! Stay in South San Francisco!

“He is the epitome of his generation. Clear speaking, hard work and honesty are the foundations of his character. I’m proud to call him my neighbor,” Pam Gradney said of her neighbor Raymond “Ray” Bagley.
Thank you for helping to build and shape South San Francisco, Ray Bagley. We wish you a happy 100th birthday!

###

To learn more about our neighbor Ray Bagley, CLICK HERE