Bruce Yoder Irvine, also known as BY, was born in 1950 in Los Angeles to Louise Irvine (nee Yoder) and Dr. Alexander Ray Irvine Jr. He passed away on January 26 after a two-year battle with cancer. Bruce went to high school at the Harvard School for Boys in North Hollywood and then attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Shortly after graduating college he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he lived until his death.

His love of cooking was fostered in his childhood home and blossomed after college as he worked in the restaurant industry in various capacities. It was while working at The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park that he met his wife of 40 years, Merrylen Sacks. His second career was as a Retail and Commercial Banker in the Bay Area. When not working, Bruce had many interests including golf and fishing. He had a deep appreciation of art and loved being in nature. Karate was one his true passions and he trained for many years culminating in a 4th degree black belt. He was an athlete and avid sports fan, attending countless Stanford football and basketball games. He was also a decades long Warriors fan, well before their present-day glory.

Nothing gave Bruce more pleasure than being surrounded by his family and friends, especially while he barbequed or prepared a meal. He was an intelligent and witty man, who always conducted himself with equanimity and grace until his final days. He was an engaged father, grandfather and friend. The gifts of love, support, kindness, and generosity that Bruce gave to so many over the years were acknowledged by the heartfelt messages he received in the last weeks and months of his life.

Bruce is survived by his wife Merrylen, son Jesse (Jana), daughter Sarah (Boris), grandchildren Adam, Aliyah, Ezra and Eli, his brothers Dr. John Irvine and Stuart Irvine and their families, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rae Anne Casazza.

His funeral will be held at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills at 10:30am on Wednesday, January 30, followed by burial at Hills of Eternity in Colma with luncheon to follow. Shiva Minyan will be held at his home Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Congregation Beth Am, Mission Hospice, The Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Center or The Pacific Stroke Association.

San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 29, 2019