Timothy Charles McBride's Obituary
With deep sadness, the family of Tim McBride announces his untimely passing at the age of 59 in Redwood City, California after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Timothy Charles McBride was born December 7, 1966, to Donald and Nancy McBride, in Suffern, New York, where he also spent his youth with his older brother Chris, sister Eileen, and younger brother Matthew.
Growing up, Tim was known for a sharp sense of humor, strong athletic prowess, a keen mind, and high character, qualities that served him well later in life. His passions in his younger years included scale modeling, soccer, and photography, all of which he excelled at. His eye for light, form, and shadow earned him awards for his photographic work, and he carried the love of that hobby throughout the rest of his years. He also held a special place in his heart for his family, as they did for him.
After graduating from Suffern High School in 1985 and the State University of New York – Maritime in 1989, Tim served with honor and distinction as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 1994. Upon his honorable discharge, he settled in San Francisco with his future sister-in-law Sophia and her husband, Tim’s college buddy Jim. It was there he was introduced to the love of his life Michelle Qiao Chen.
Tim and Qiao married in Hainan, China a few months later. They settled in San Francisco, later moving to Daly City and finally to their beautiful home in San Mateo in 2002. They worked extremely hard to build a life for themselves, with Tim employed at steam equipment supplier at Brose Company in Danville and Qiao balancing multiple jobs with her studies.
Two years after landing in San Mateo, Tim stood by Qiao’s side as she gave birth to their first daughter Fiona. He was again with Qiao when Alyse arrived in 2008.
With the growth of his family, Tim’s devotion also grew. He moved on to a new job at Nationwide Boiler in Fremont in 2009, where he would remain for 17 years, becoming the national rental boiler manager, providing skill, mentorship, and laughs to his fellow employees. He and Qiao expanded the San Mateo home twice, adding space not only for their beloved girls, but also for Qiao’s parents Chen Zhu Hui and Lu Ming Zhen. During those early years in San Mateo, Tim’s in-laws lovingly offered considerable time and talents to help with raising Fiona and Alyse while their parents strived to secure their futures.
Fiona and Alyse grew up alongside their cousins Bradley and Zachary, and the house was often filled with laughter and joy. Tim took tremendous pride in his daughters’ achievements, which are numerous across fields ranging from the arts to sports to language. Fiona’s graduation from high school and Alyse’s junior high graduation were particular high points when Tim and Qiao’s hearts swelled. As the years went on, Tim’s family found time at last for vacations and down time, precious periods when Tim and Qiao could expose their daughters to the wonder of the wider world outside the Bay Area.
Tim’s loss leaves all those that loved him and knew him heartbroken, and his absence is a hole that can never be filled. But the love that he gave so freely - especially to Qiao, Fiona, and Alyse – serves as a beacon for all who encountered him, making their lives just a bit brighter even after he left.
Tim is survived by his loving wife Michelle Qiao Chen, treasured daughters Fiona and Alyse, parents Donald and Nancy McBride, sisters-in-law Sophia Chen (Jim McCall) and Min Chen, mother-in-law Lu Ming Zhen, father-in-law Chen Zhu Hui, brothers Chris McBride (Denise), Matthew McBride (Maureen), sister Eileen Gilliland (Gerald), and a host of extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at noon, February 20, 2026, to honor Tim at Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Half Moon Bay, California. The service will be preceded by a public visitation at 11 AM, with burial at 2 PM, and a reception at the funeral home to follow
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