My Father, Joe M. Uriegas passed away Saturday, February 25th at Christopher House with his only child at his side.
He was born July 1, 1915 at Walker Farm, Austin, Texas and was 96 years old. His parents were Rosalio and Felipa Moreno Uriegas. He was the middle child of seven, four brothers, and three sisters which he was the remaining sibling. He was married to Ysidra Avila Uriegas for 57 years. Joe is survived by their daughter, Mary Ellen.
Grandpa Rosalio Uriegas was a WWI Veteran and Joe and several of his brothers followed into the service during WWII. He was a Staff Sergeant Battery 188th Field Artillery attached to the 82nd Airborne. Battles and campaigns he participated in, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, G033 and WD45.
My father was awarded many medals one being the EAME Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars. On the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion he was one of 100 United States Veterans and only six Hispanics to become a Chevalier of the Nation of France receiving the French Medal of Honor.
He was a founding member of Catholic War Veterans Post 1805 and a thirty year member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The Uriegas Family were one of the founding families of San Jose Catholic Parish. Daddy was retired from the University of Texas at Austin. His retirement was spent helping others, advancing the Democratic Party and playing Bingo at the Veterans Post. Members of Post 1805 will serve as pallbearers.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at San Jose Catholic Church. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at San Jose Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to CWV Post 1805 Scholarship Fund, St. Vincent de Paul Society or Hospice Austin's Christopher House.