And Yet Still Even more Fun-Filled Facts 'bout San Francisco

From the SFHotelstories History File: People - Tom Sweeney

Me and the Legendary Sir Francis Drake Hotel Doorman Tom Sweeney

He was the legendary doorman of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for 43 years, and I had the honor and pleaser of working with him for three of those years.

He had the uncanny ability to halt a conversation in mid-sentence and later remember it exactly, even if that conversation was picked up hours later.

Over time, new mayors and other local politicians would get elected, and I would ask Tom for his opinion because he had met them all.  But he was too professional for that, and would never talk politics or indicate which side of the political fence he fell.  He would only comment on trivial facts, such as that Senator So-and-so had a firm grip when they shook hands, or that Mayor So-and-so wore a strong cologne.

He is proud of his photos with celebrated figures from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to San Francisco football legends Joe Montana and Dwight Clark, who took the 49ers to their first Super Bowl win. He also has a small snapshot of himself with actress Sharon Stone. 

Sweeney ran the Bay to Breakers race in his 40-pound uniform. He has completed 32 marathon runs inside and outside the U.S., including Boston, New York, Alaska, Hawaii, Vancouver and London.

He once stopped a crime in progress.  As the story goes, a purse snatcher ran by him.  Without missing a beat he chased down and caught the perpetrator, in full Beefeater uniform regalia.