"Jules" Julius Orsucci Obituary (1918

Julius "Jules" Orsucci Born Giulio Orsucci to Domenico and Quinta (Pieroni) Orsucci on Sept 4, 1918 at Providence Hospital in Seattle. He was followed by two younger siblings, Dino and Dina. Jules grew up in Seattle with a short time spent in San Francisco. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1936. Shortly thereafter he met Margaret (Peggy) McInnes. They were married on November 18, 1941. Jules was then called to serve in WWII and left for Europe in 1943, serving as a Technical Sergeant with the 103rd Evacuation Hospital throughout the war in Europe. He returned home nearly three years later on New Years Eve 1945. Jules retired in 1982 at age 64 from Garrett Freight Lines. Not being a golfer or fisherman, Jules continued to work for fun, first at the Baskin-Robbins owned by Julie & Mitch, then later at the Ballard Baskin-Robbins store. He enjoyed earning a little gas money. Jules volunteerism started before retirement in 1974 when he took over managing the weekly Bingo game fundraiser at St. Alphonsus school when Joanne was in the 4th grade. Truly committed, he managed the Bingo operation for the next 29 years. In addition to the Bingo game at St. Al's, Jules was also a member/volunteer of the Knights of Columbus and has spent countless hours on fundraisers and church operations for St. Alphonsus parish. He founded and managed a coat and blanket donation program for St. Martin de Porres shelter, created a clothing donation program for the women and children of the St. Francis House, and has been a member and volunteer officer for the Sons of Italy Sno-King Lodge. Jules always said that the worst thing he ever did was to retire. After Bingo ended, he found a new passion for the last 26 years volunteering three days per week at Swedish Cherry Hill (formerly Providence) Hospital. His work at Cherry Hill is what kept him young! He was committed to helping people during the tougher times in their lives and not only did he touch thousands of patients and their families at the front desk, but he became an integral part of the team at Cherry Hill dedicated to improving and saving lives every day. His colleagues and friends ranged from cafeteria cooks to CEO's and everyone in between. He treated everyone as equals and had a warmth that made everyone he met feel valued and loved. He was always honest and genuine. Jules loved children. At the volunteer desk at Cherry Hill, he always had packages of candy or cookies in his pockets or the drawer for kids passing through the hospital. He adored his grandsons and was very active in their lives, never missing a celebration for them. At 96, Jules never ever forgot a birthday of his family or friends. He was also a travel enthusiast. His faithful travel companions were Auntie Dina and Shirley Jones. Together they took over 35 cruises to six of the seven continents, only passing Antarctica, not stepping ashore. He has walked the Great Wall of China, climbed to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, sailed around Cape Horn, through the Panama Canal, to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Russia, Europe and North Africa - some more than once. Jules had a strong faith and was a faithful member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Aside from helping others, Jules was happiest when his family was all together in one place. Get togethers are frequent and holidays are spent together. A child at heart, for his 90th birthday celebration, his family, along with Auntie Dina, took him to Disneyland to celebrate. He had spent a lifetime making sure that his daughters and grandsons visited there as youngsters, driving the 1100 miles to and from Southern California many many times over the years. He enthusiastically paraded through the streets of Disneyland telling everyone that he was 90! Jules is survived by his four daughters Julie (Mitch) Day, Janet Orsucci, Jean (Brian) Lydiard, and Joanne Orsucci; three grandsons Jonathan Lydiard, Andrew (Evelyn) Lydiard and Matthew Day, his sister Dina Puetz, nephews Joe Orsucci, Ted, Bill, Rik and Dan Puetz, nieces Dee Bishop, Diane Engelke, Nancy Parke, and numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins and innumerable friends. On November 15, 2014, Jules final goodbye was at Swedish Cherry Hill. The same place that his life began 96 years earlier and the place that he was part of and cherished so deeply. Jules will be remembered as kind, loving, enthusiastic, young at heart with a great (and dry) sense of humor. He will remain in our hearts forever as a brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, friend and Papa.