Retired colonel from La Cañada dies at 83
Services were held in Arroyo Grande last week for Col. Alfonso “Ozzie” Oseguera, who was reared in La Cañada and more recently made his home in the Central California town. He passed away Aug. 11 at the age of 83.
Oseguera, born in Montrose in 1930, was featured on the cover of the Valley Sun in 1947 when he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of La Cañada Boy Scout Troop 2. With him in the photo were three other Eagle Scouts who remained lifelong friends, Richard “Dick” Kiner, John Argue and Jerry Carruthers. The four were reunited for a group portrait 35 years later when Oseguera’s nephew, William “Bill” McNeely, earned the Eagle Scout rank and was feted at a Court of Honor held at the Youth House.
Oseguera attended La Cañada Elementary School, Eliot Junior High, John Muir High School and John Muir College in the Pasadena school system, which then served La Cañada families. He went on to graduate from UCLA before joining the service. A retired Marine Corp colonel, Oseguera, who flew 407 fixed-wing combat missions while serving in Southeast Asia, was presented several medals, including include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, 27 awards of the Air Medal and a Purple Heart. He retired from military service in 1980.
In addition to his wife, Marie Oseguera, he leaves three daughters, Lori Kelly, Kristie Daniels and Michelle Nielson. Surviving relatives in the La Cañada area are a sister, Amparo Balbueana; a brother, Benjamin P. Oseguera, and a nephew, William McNeely.
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