Obituary of Maurice Gudgeon

It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Maurice Gudgeon, he will be greatly missed by everyone. He was born in Santa Barbara on June 7, 1929 to George and Bernice Gudgeon and passed away in Lompoc on January 13, 2012, he was 82 years old. He served in the army during WW2 stationed in Panama. Maurice is survived by his devoted wife Mickey, his children Michael (Tami), Kathy (Harry) and Dennis (Jennifer) 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, foster son Roger Clark, his brother Frank Gudgeon residing in Oroville, CA nieces, nephews and many extended honorary children and grandchildren and friends and neighbors too numerous to mention whom he welcomed with love. His brother Bob Gudgeon preceded him in death in 1990. Maurice met the love of his life Mildred (Mickey) Marotti in Santa Barbara in 1948 after a 3 year courtship they were married in 1951, they loved camping at Rancho Oso with the Carpinteria Riding Club and loved to travel and were able to visit many countries, Maurice was packed and ready to go the minute Mickey mentioned a trip. They also loved to dance, their children taking delight in watching them on the dance floor, Maurice doing his own thing. Making it look good. They spent many weekends with their friends going to dances. He loved his children deeply, but his heart was so big he always referred his children's spouses as his children, not his in-laws and they were also devoted to him. He quit school at an early age and went into the army. After he left the service he went to work as a driver for Coca Cola and Hamm's Beer distributors owned by Gandolfo's. Maurice being a hard worker, always had multiple jobs in order to bring in extra money to support his family, which led to him starting Santa Barbara Steam Cleaning in 1964, which he was proud to pass to his son Mike and Grandson Andrew. He was also very proud of his son Dennis who so much like his father also started his own business making custom Bar-B-Ques. Grandpa loved his tall tales and when the grand kids would have to ask grandma if grandpa was telling the truth we would all get a good laugh having been there ourselves. He loved when a new member was added to the family for he had potential new victims, the rest of us learning to not believe a word he said. He loved his pennies whether searching for the elusive wheat pennies or spending them at the penny slot machines at the Chumash Casino, every time we see a penny we will think of him and smile. There is not enough words to express our gratitude and love to his Grandson Brandon Gudgeon for his care of grandpa in the final weeks of his life, taking time off work as an EMT and devoting all his time to lovingly care for grandpa and sitting by his bedside all night so he wouldn't be alone and his daughter Kathy and her family who sacrificed so that she could stay with her parents and help care for the father she loved so much. We appreciate longtime friends Liz Moore, Marcella & Sandor Rudulics & Melva & Lee McClatchey who for many years have played poker together on Saturday nights and for their love and support & help of the family over the years. We would also like to thank Hospice for their care of Maurice in his final week, their kindness and compassion made a very sad time bearable so in lieu of flowers we ask you to remember Hospice Care 222 E. Canon Perdido St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101. A memorial service will be held on Friday January 20th at 11:00 AM at Community Covenant Church 5070 Cathedral Oaks Road Santa Barbara. We will miss you Dad and know you are currently looking for pennies in heaven and will toss out the good ones for us to find, we so look forward to the time when we will all be reunited again through God's grace.