Daniel Theodore "Dan" Urso

Former Electric City resident Daniel Theodore "Dan" Urso passed away December 17, 2023 in Sequim, Washington. He was 79.

Dan was born, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jennie Theresa Pucilowsk and was adopted by Francesco and Albina (Marcinkiewicz) Urso. 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, aunts, and uncles under the same roof made for an exceedingly wonderful Catholic childhood and close family unity.

In 1952, Dan along with his mother Albina moved to Eagle Rock, California to live with her brother and sister-in law. A short time later, Dan's father, Frank moved to California, first to Los Angeles and then settled in the San Fernando Valley.

After graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1963, Dan attended Pierce College briefly and then with very little thought, enlisted in the US Air Force where he was trained as a Crew Chief on various aircraft, including the F-102 and F-101 fighter jets and a RF-101C. A Vietnam veteran, 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. After completing the Machinist Apprentice 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 Powerhouse and then to the Right Powerhouse; finally, to the Third Powerhouse 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 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. Urso; stepchildren Kimberley Cole, Christinna M. Flynn, and Athena L. Dunn; step-grandchildren Justin G. Dunn, Cecilia A. Dunn, Breehia S. Mitchell and Kally M. Dimarzio, several step-great grandchildren and the many friends that he made along the way.

A Celebration of Life was held January 13, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim, Washington. Dan was laid to rest at Ocean View Cemetery in Port Angeles, Washington.