Daniel Frederick Parrish

Daniel Frederick Parrish was born in San Francisco on April 13th, 1947 to Ted and Connie Parrish. Dan served as an altar boy at Saint Brendan’s Church and graduated from St. Ignatius High School of San Francisco, where he played football and made the All City team. He then went on to play football at City College of San Francisco, where he made many lifelong friends and sports memories. Once graduated from City College of San Francisco, Danny then took his studies to University of San Francisco where he continued to play football for his high school coach, Coach Tringali. Dan joined the San Francisco Sheriff's Department and worked there for many years in various positions including Sr. Deputy, promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and worked in the courts and jail. Danny’s work as a Deputy Sheriff also included setting up sports and education for the inmates in a work furlough program. Danny also served as the President of the Sheriff Association. 

Danny was a lifelong 49ers fan and would often talk about the old Kezar days. Football was more than a game to Danny—it was a passion from where he transitioned from player to coach. It was a calling, a way to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience in every player he coached. Whether under the bright lights of a football field or in the quiet moments of practice, he was known for an unorthodox style of coaching that resonated with every player that he coached. He led with integrity, encouragement, and an unwavering belief in his team. His influence reached far beyond the scoreboard, leaving a lasting impact on the countless players who had the privilege of learning from him. Danny coached at Sacred Heart High school, City College of San Francisco, and Terra Nova High School to name a few. 

Danny, a brilliant mind and a passionate lover of history, literature, and numbers, passed away on March 22, 2025 at the age of 77. A gifted writer, Danny had a way with words that brought stories—both real and imagined—to life. Whether lost in the pages of a book or crafting a story of his own, Danny found joy in the written word and the lessons of the past. Beyond a love for history and storytelling, Danny had a deep appreciation for the beauty of numbers. Whether analyzing statistics, solving puzzles, or calculating odds at the racetrack, he found comfort and excitement in the precision of mathematics. A devoted fan of horse racing, Danny loved the thrill of the sport, the strategy behind every wager, and the poetry of the track.

He also loved to discuss current affairs and debated with the wit and charisma of a stand-up comedian. One would say his speaking style was a cross between Bill Maher and Andrew Dice Clay. Danny will be remembered for his sharp intellect, quick wit, and endless curiosity. His love of learning was contagious, and his passion for sharing knowledge left a lasting impact on those around him. Danny was kind to animals and loved to dog sit Rhino, Ziggy, Gray and Koda. Danny was preceded in death by his parents Ted and Connie Parrish, and his brother William (Uncle Bill) Parrish. He is survived by his first born son, David Parrish and his wife Courtney, and second son, Adam Parrish and their mother, Loretta Bowie who will forever cherish his memory and the many stories he told. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports first responders, military veterans, and their families by providing mortgage-free homes, smart homes for injured veterans, and other programs. May his legacy live on in the books he loved, the stories he told, and the knowledge he so eagerly pursued.

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