Barry Ongerth

Barry Wade Ongerth passed away on September 5, 2021 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Raised in Hillsborough, Barry lived the last 40 years in Burlingame and was a familiar face to many. He was an athlete and an avid sports fan. His lifetime devotion to sports started as a young child, playing any sport that involved a ball. He attended 49er games with his father at Kezar and Candlestick and continued to Levi Stadium with his wife Tina. Tina was always amazed that he would call the play before the announcer. Attending three 49er Superbowls, fans gathered around him as he described the set-up of the next play. As a Cal Bears ticket holder, it was mostly about catching up with old and new friends at the tailgate and traveling to away games. He attended Warrior games through good and bad teams, some seasons missing but a few games and even traveling to see them play on the road. Finally, he was rewarded with the recent Championship years.

Barry was a proud Cal Berkeley graduate, majoring in Art History which continued to be his passion as he and Tina traveled around the world with many dear friends and family. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, forming lifetime friendships with his Brothers and looked forward to the annual Big Game Phi Psi Lunch. With Tina, Barry transformed the Travelodge in Millbrae to the highly-ranked boutique hotel, The Dylan. He was past Chairman of the Travelodge Board and the San Mateo County Visitors Bureau. He was also very active in tourism committees supporting airport travel. He was a donor of the San Francisco Fine Arts Museum and Peninsula Humane Society. He loved art and acquired a complete collection of the original Fillmore and Avalon Rock Posters. Barry loved animals. Dogs always sensed he would drop a tidbit or two. Mostly, he loved his cats. He had a special bond with Balboa-equally a strong presence. Jessie had him wrapped around her little paw, and Cole just melted his heart.