Daniel Theodore “Dan” Urso
Daniel Theodore “Dan” Urso of Sequim, Washington, passed away December 17, 2023, at Sequim Health and Rehabilitation. He was 79.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will take place Friday, January 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Ocean View Cemetery in Port Angeles, Washington. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 13, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim, Washington, with Pastor Desi Larson presiding.
Dan was born, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jennie Theresa Pucilowski a single mother. He was adopted by Francesco and Albina (Marcinkiewicz) Urso, a wonderful and caring couple.
Dan spent the first seven years growing up in a four-story “brown stone” close to 49th street and Wells, on the southside of Chicago. Growing up with his grandparents John and Concetta Sonandres Urso, aunts, Josephine Urso, her husband Michael P. Garapolo, Aunt Theresa Urso and her husband Frank Perri made for an exceedingly wonderful Catholic childhood and close family unity.
In 1952, Dan’s mother Albina moved him from Chicago, Illinois, by train to Eagle Rock, California to live with her brother Ted and sister-in law Frances Marcinkiewicz. A short time later, Dan’s father Frank moved from Chicago to California, first locating to Los Angeles and then finally to the San Fernando Valley, CA.
Dan attended Eagle Rock Junior and High schools until the 10th grade and then moved, to the San Fernando Valley, graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1963. Dan attended Pierce College for a short time and then with very little thought, enlisted in the US Air Force.
He completed basic training at Lackland AFB, then transferred to Amarillo AFB, TX Technical School for Single and Two Jet Engine Training, becoming a Crew Chief. Dan’s first duty assignment was at Itazuke Air Base in Japan working on F-102 jet aircrafts, then to Kadena AB in Okinawa as a Crew Chief on RF-101C aircraft.
While in Okinawa, Dan volunteered to go to Vietnam, traveling on a C-130, and stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. While in Vietnam, Dan did a lot of flying with the Australian Air Force, flying supplies to many of the outlaying bases.
Dan returned to Okinawa, and after a much needed 30-day furlough stateside, he traveled to his next duty station, Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, where he found himself again as a Crew Chief, eventually taking over the Hourly Post Dock, and finally in charge of the Alert Pad with F-101 fighter inceptor aircraft.
Dan was honorably discharged from the Air Force and returned to his home in North Hollywood, CA. His first civilian job was at HTS Corporation as a machine shop grinder. He transferred to Trute Inc. in Sun Valley, CA as a Shop Machinist, where he worked the night shift so that he could attend a 4-year Machinist Apprentice Program at Valley Junior College. After completing the program, he became a Tool and Die Maker at Trute Inc.
On July 8, 1975, Dan transferred from Long Beach Naval Shipyard to the Grand Coulee Dam Project as an Industrial Area Shop Machinist, working in that capacity until he transferred to the Left Power House and then to the Right Power House; finally to the Third Power House working as a Plant
Machinist. In 1980, he was promoted to Mechanical Planner Estimator and held that position until his retirement with his wife Pat in 2001.
Dan and Pat moved from their small 5-acre ranch in “Electric City” to the Olympic Peninsula, which provided them the luxury of not having to contend with cutting and bailing hay, cattle, horses and watering their 5-acres with hand lines.
Dan and Pat traveled through and stayed in 49-states, including the Canadian Maritimes covering some 54K miles in their 34’ Airstream Travel Trailer and another 57K miles in their 36’ Beaver Motorcoach.
Dan’s legacy lives on through his wife Patricia J. (Warren) Urso of Sequim, WA; step-children Kimberley Nullen, of Post Falls, ID, Christinna M. Flynn of Guayabitos, Mexico and Athena L. Dunn of Sequim, WA; step-grandchildren: Justin G. Dunn of Sequim, WA, Cecilia A. Dunn of Frankfort, KY, Breehia S. Mitchell and Kally M. Dimarzio, both of Juneau, AK; several step-great grandchildren and the many friends that he made along the way.
It’s only fitting that Dan also wanted to express his appreciation of love, support and gratitude to two of his best childhood and lifelong friends, Bob Hannibal and Don Fleming for their unyielding devotion of friendship throughout the years; “thanks guys.”
Sequim Valley Chapel is honored to serve the family. Please visit our online register book at sequimvalleychapel.com to leave treasured memories for the family.
Patrick Ryan Johnson
December 9, 1981 – December 13, 2023
Photo courtesy of Patrick Johnson family / Patrick Johnson
Patrick Ryan Johnson, 42, tragically took his own life on December 13, 2023. Pat was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Sequim, Washington where he had many wonderful friends.
Patrick will always be remembered for his sense of humor and his love of football.
Your struggles with life are over. Rest in peace my son, your brothers and I love you and will miss you terribly. You will live forever in our hearts.
Patrick is survived by his mother, Laurie Allen and Stepfather, Tom. His brothers Neil, Joshua and Kyle. Grandmother, Marjorie Johnson and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his Grandfather, Gary Johnson.
Celebration of Life will be January 20, 2024 at John Wayne Marina, Sequim, Washington at 1:00 pm.
David “Dave” Lee Heeres
August 20, 1936 – December 8, 2023
David “Dave” Lee Heeres of Sequim, Washington, passed away peacefully at his home on December 8, 2023. He was 87.
Dave was born August 20, 1936, in Loma Linda, California, to Peter Sidney and Imogene “Frances” (Stone) Heeres. He attended various schools in San Bernardino County, graduating from San Bernardino High School in 1954. After high school, he proudly served in the US Navy where he served as a corpsman.
Upon being honorably discharged from the US Navy, he attended San Bernardino Valley College, University of California at Berkley and California State University at Long Beach. He completed his post graduate work at California State University at San Bernardino and at the University of California at Riverside.
In 1965, he met Pat Seccombe and they were married on January 1, 1967. Dave and Pat moved to Sky Forest, California, where they lived for 37 years, raising two daughters, Katherine Eleanor (Heeres) Keever and Elizabeth Frances (Heeres) Yancu.
Dave built a very successful insurance business as an independent agent with State Farm, receiving many accolades, including being named to the President’s Club three times. Always interested in improving his knowledge, he also achieved the CLU and CHFC designations.
In 2002, Dave retired from the Insurance business after 30 years and moved to their home in Sequim, Washington.
Dave had a passion for the sea and a love for sailing. His first boat was an Ericson 35 sloop, named “Beginning” which he sailed to Hawaii twice, once single-handed and non-stop for 40 days and nights. Eventually, he bought a DeFever 49 trawler, on which the family enjoyed many trips to Avalon on Catalina Island. Both daughters were married on that boat.
Dave also played piano and after retiring he had more time to practice and record his own arrangements. He enjoyed his time on the piano and sometimes recorded some songs for friends and family. Dave’s legacy lives on through his loving wife of 56 years Pat Heeres; daughter Elizabeth “Beth” Yancu; granddaughters, Katherine “Katie” and Madison Yancu. He was predeceased in death by both parents and daughter Katherine.
Sequim Valley Chapel is honored to serve the family. Please visit our online register book at sequimvalleychapel.com to leave treasured memories for the family.
Adeline Marie Ostrowski
Adeline Marie Ostrowski of Sequim died of age-related causes on Jan. 7, 2024. She was 95.
Ostrowski was born Feb. 10, 1928.
A memorial is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
