Howard Ursettie

Obituary of Howard J. Ursettie

Known to all as Bud Ursettie, he passed away peacefully in his home the morning of November 23rd, 2011, at the age of 89. He was born in Harvey, Illinois, on February 24, 1922. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1945 and served on the USS Philadelphia during World War II. He served with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico and was a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His 30 years of service was spent mainly in the Pacific, including assignments in the Korean and Vietnam wars and with the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Japan. He was the first captain of the USS Dubuque, assuming command in September 1967 when it was commissioned, and had the unique honor of also being present at the ship's decommissioning in June 2011. He retired from active duty in June 1974 and moved to Goleta with his wife Joan and family in 1975. After retiring, Bud obtained his masters degree in history at UCSB. He worked for H&R Block and spent many years volunteering with Meals On Wheels and with the AARP Tax-Aide program in Santa Barbara. He was an avid reader and student of history and a lifelong golfer. Known for his "sweet swing," he will be remembered by his golfing buddies as "someone you always wanted to play golf with." His wife of 52 years, Joan Remillard Ursettie, passed away in 1998. In 2004 he married Elizabeth Edwards of Santa Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his six children, Catherine, Howard, Mary, Margaret, Dan and James, as well as his daughter-in-law Reggie and son-in-law John, and nieces Norma Jean Hines and Jacki Ursettie. Bud had ten grandchildren: Joshua, Gabriel, Nicholas, Judy, Matthew, Laura, Brian, Beth, Greg and Adam, and nine great-grandchildren: Jacob, Sara, Julie, Lucas, Brennus, Jack, Brian, Andrew and Beckett. At his request, there will be no services, but there will be a celebration of his life at his home at 6270 Avenida Ganso in Goleta on Saturday December 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the VFW Foundation, Post 1649 Pvt. John Thomas Hall Post, 112 W Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or to Santa Barbara Meals On Wheels, P.O. Box 6099, Santa Barbara, 93160.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary
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