Such could be said about one local advocate, Jerry Cadagan. His voice was perhaps the voice that spoke the loudest on behalf of a public space and resource that few can really fathom. It is when a powerful voice like his is silent and that persistent presence is no more, the reality of what that person stood for then emerges and a legacy begins. The Westside Observer newspaper of San Francisco lost its leading advocate for the lake when Cadagan died suddenly on May 17. To friends and family he was more than just a voice for the lake. He was also a voice for the community. A memorial service was held in his honor at the Boathouse of Lake Merced this past June 24.
“A tireless advocate for Lake Merced, that was Jerry Cadagan,” said San Franciscan and friend Dick Morten, He explained, “I became acquainted with Jerry for over 15 years. It was through his advocacy for the Lake.” He also said that “Lake Merced was important to Jerry, especially as a parent because his daughter, Kim, rowed for St Ignatius.” (St. Ignatius College Prep High School is one of three schools nearby that use the lake for sporting activities.)
Yet as Morten pointed out “what is even more important is that Jerry founded ‘Friends of Lake Merced’ as well as a ‘Lake Merced Task Force.'” Morten added that Lake Merced was so important, that it was “Jerry who fought for Lake Merced, when others could not.” (Or, as he also said, some who would not).
For some time, the debate over who or rather which entity should control use of the lake was debated. SF Recreation and Parks Dept and the SF PUC had a very difficult and unusual connection together as ‘stewards’ of the lake. Long time tenants such as the Pacific Rod and Gun Club were evicted. Questions arose as to why SF Rec. & Parks had so much control, but was not able to maintain the grounds as it had been cared for in the past.
Very aware of the decline of the Lake and its natural habitat, Cadagan was relentless in his concern. It went beyond the neighborhood and those he knew. His love for Lake Merced was a passion for all the waterways and great outdoors. As Morten explained, “the depth of his water resources knowledge, legal analysis, political acumen gained in various water wars, was immense,” he said. “And so was his media savvy, added Morten. His tenacious advocacy for nearly 20 years, was ongoing. Jerry did not give up in his efforts to revive, what he considered to be the City’s environmental jewel, and that was for Jerry, Lake Merced.”
Cadagan’s concern for environmental issues continued and his affinity for water issues increased. Many witnessed Cadagan’s deep affection for Lake Merced, not just this reporter. Cadagan’s presence at meetings was dedicated. The commute to San Francisco from Senora, did not seem to bother him. Cadagan made attendance to almost every meeting. Lake Merced was always first in his mind. His voice was the only one that was consistent in its demand to be heard. As Morten also pointed out, “there were instances where Jerry was the only one that could not only understand the on-going bureaucracy that entangled Lake Merced and its future – he was one of the few that could stand up to it as well.”
“Jerry often was the only one able and willing to fight ‘the two headed monsters’ the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and SF Recreation and Parks,” said Morten. The Assistant General Manager of the SF PUC, Steven Ritchie and Cadagan would clash. “At some meetings, noted Morten, things could get heated and go on for hours.”
Ironically as Morten pointed out, “Jerry’s initial profession was as a corporate attorney for Crown-Zellerbach, a major supplier of paper. But when Jerry discovered river rafting in the 1970’s his life took on a new direction.”
He and his wife Kristin Ann (Sullivan) Cadagan shared a love for the outdoors and concern for the environment, so much so that they moved from the SF Bay Area to Senora, to be closer to another one of Cadagan’s concerns, The Tuolumne River.
Staff at Tuolumne River Trust, like Peter Derkmeier hold Cadagan in high esteem because of the work he did not just for Tuolumne or Lake Merced but for all of the waterways. Organizations like “Friends of the River” remember Cadagan for his commitment to preserve, protect and defend the natural habitat of the rivers not just in the Bay Area but throughout the State of California and the nation.
John Amodio who worked with the Sierra Club back in the 1980s and ‘90s admitted he was a bit wary of a former corporate lawyer who had worked for a paper company. Yet like Morten, he too recognized that Cadagan’s legal training and sharpness served the cause of environmental issues very well. “He brought a combination of a keen strategic mind that could dissect both policy and political ramifications, said Amodio. And as he describes it, “that is a rare” (ability). He noted that Cadagan would then devise strategies that were not only effective, but fun to pursue,” said Amodio.
“Jerry was never antagonistic,” Morten noted. “Jerry always maintained his ground respectful of the opposition or adversaries he faced.”Along with Morten many referred to Cadagan as ‘a warrior.’ Cadagan was always willing to go up against the larger powers that can often sweep away any concerns a local community might have about something near to them like Lake Merced. Despite his wit, humor, tenacity and fortitude and charm, Cadagan was only human. His son Brent told this reporter, while on assignment for the Westside Observer that the death of wife Kristin was a tremendous loss to the Cadagan family. “They had been driving to the Bay Area (from their home in Senora) on Thanksgiving Day to be with family and were involved in a car accident. Kristin did not survive the accident, said Brent, and Jerry suffered many injuries, worst of all a broken heart.”Neither son Brent nor others close to Cadagan wanted to elaborate any further on the details. Morten said simply, “Kristin’s death was too much for Jerry, and let’s leave it at that.”
The family of Jerry and Kristin Cadigan ask that donations be made to a favorite environmental charity in their memory.
