89, passed away in the early hours of Feb. 10, 2013 at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital. He was born August 25, 1923 in Portage, Maine, and served in the U.S. Army Air corps during World War II. He married Hilda Pinette, June 30, 1946, at Portage Lake, and they resided in the Maine communities of Presque Isle and Van Buren before moving to California with their young family in 1959. He worked in the retail food business until retiring in 1982, and was actively involved for over a half century in his church, the First Congregational of Santa Barbara. Like his beloved wife of 61 years, he lived an exemplary life free of vice, leaving plenty of time for him to pursue his many varied interests.
He was a carpenter, a photographer, a traveller, and a lover of books and poetry; but he was most at home in the outdoors, whether on hiking trips to the top of Mt. Whitney with each of his sons, rockhounding along the local beaches, or tending to his rose and vegetable gardens at home. Jud was a gentle spirit who loved communing with nature. Those who knew him well will remember fondly the stories he often told of the time a newborn bird landed in his lap while he was sitting in the backyard, or the day when a hummingbird alit in midair a few feet away from him to take a bath under the misty spray of his garden hose, or his plans to create a nature walk in his front yard.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his sons, Jake and Steve; daughter-in-law Minh Khai; and grandchildren, Michael and Suzanne. His wife Hilda predeceased him in 2008, as did his daughter Bonnie in 1974. A simple graveside memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Goleta Cemetery, followed by a reception in the events room at Cody’s Cafe. Memorial arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to a local food bank or other charity of the donor’s choice.
