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HB notes with sadness the passing of Jess Osuna
acclaimed and gifted actor, long-time friend, colleague, and teacher
Jess Osuna, 82, passed away in New York City on April 2, 2011 from heart failure. Jess was born on May 28, 1928 in Berkeley, California; he was the second son of Jesus and Gaudencia Osuna, loving brother of Ilda Grant and Anne Osuna of Walnut Creek, Blanca McFarland of San Bernardino, Marcella Jimenez and her husband Armando of Walnut Creek, Charles Osuna of Hayward and Rev. E. Donald Osuna of Alameda. Jess was predeceased in 1999 by his beloved wife, Mary Ann "Sydney" Sloane of San Francisco, whom he married in 1952; also by brother Angel and sisters Beatrice Burnight and Lillian Osuna.
Jess attended E. Morris Cox Elementary, Elmhurst Junior High and Castlemont High schools in Oakland. He developed his love of acting at a very early age and focused on school activities relating to acting and entertainment. After a stint in the U.S. Army (Korean War), he attended Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre in San Francisco. His local debut was as a British soldier in The Devil's Disciple at the Curran Theater in 1949. Early in his career he moved from Los Angeles to New York where he was associated with HB Studio as Teacher/Counselor, Acting and Scene Study. Jess appeared in numerous stage productions on and off Broadway as well as in summer stock. In 1965 he was awarded an Obie for his "distinguished performance" in Bugs and Veronica.
His film debut was a role in A New Leaf, co-starring Walter Matthau and Elaine May. Other principal film appearances included Three Days of the Condor, All the President's Men, Kramer vs. Kramer, Taps. Principal television appearances: Dr. Willis, Who Will Love My Children, The Uncle, My Old Man; Federal Agent, Kojak; Dr. T. Shaeffer, Colombo; Dorsey Ulmer, Armstrong Circle Theatre.
Jess is survived by daughter Tracy and grandson Sean of Rochester. Many nieces and nephews will miss their beloved Uncle Jess; countless relatives and friends, near and far, mourn his passing.
For the last several years Jess channeled his energy into honing his musical talents, especially singing. Every first Friday of the month he looked forward to performing two songs at open-mike night at the Singer's Forum. The last song he sang was "that incredibly beautiful song" I'm Not Afraid. As a devout and life-long Roman Catholic he delighted in singing in the choir at his parish of Our Lady of Pompeii in Greenwich Village where funeral services will be celebrated on Monday, April 11, 2011. Jess will rest alongside the first and last love of his life, Mary Ann "Sydney" Osuna in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York.
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Viewing
Sunday, April 10
2pm to 5pm
Vigil with Eulogies
7pm to 9pm
Perazzo Funeral Home
199 Bleecker Street
NYC
Memorial Service
Monday, April 11
10am
Our Lady of Pompeii
25 Carmine Street
The family suggests donations to the choir of Our Lady of Pompeii in Greenwich Villiage.
In California, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne's Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11:00 am.
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