Obituary of Oswald Da Ros

Ozzie Da Ros, born April 28, 1921 to Antonio Da Ros and Marianna Mautino; died November 13, 2018. Graduated from Santa Barbara High School and served in the Army in Persia during World War II. Active in the Parks Department serving with Mayors Don McGillivary and Gerald Firestone. Member of the El Pescatore Club, E Clampus Vitus and the Westerners and served on boards of the St. Francis Foundation, SB Historical Museum, SB Carriage Museum, Old Spanish Days and Catholic Charities amongst others.

Ozzie was involved in previous restorations of Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and La Arcada as well as the Museum of Natural History. He built the Santa Barbara Historical Museum producing the adobes in his own yard. He will be remembered for extensive masonry and landscape work on many well recognized estates in Santa Barbara and Montecito. He participated in the development of many of the garden areas at Lotusland working closely with Madame Ganna Walska for decades taking over for his father who had worked under the previous owners and carrying forward into the third generation with his son, Peter Da Ros.

Predeceased by his wife Kathleen Lennon Da Ros in 2004 and his sister, Mary Devine in 2012. Survived by his children Kathleen Mackins and Peter Da Ros (Christina) of Santa Barbara and Ann Martin of Fort Worth, Texas. Also survived by grandchildren Bradley Mackins (Kristen), Danielle Leholm (Ryan Bailey), Katie O’Toole, Rachel Da Ros and Marianna Da Ros, Keegan Anderson (Dustin) and James Martin; great-grandchildren Chase and Austin Mackins, Kaylie Leholm and Brixton Bailey. A memorial service is planned for 3 PM on Friday, November 30th at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Monastery of the Poor Clares, Lotusland or a Veteran’s charity of your choice.