Peter Ursu Jr.

Peter Ursu Jr., affectionately known as “Pety,” passed away surrounded by the love of family and the faith that guided his life. Born on March 28, 1946, in Timișoara, Romania, Peter lived a life marked by perseverance, ingenuity, generosity, and devotion to God and those he loved.

Peter was the only son of Petru Ursu Sr. and Lucia Eugenia Chirila Ursu and grew up alongside his two sisters, Pucu Doina Lavinia Ursu Rizzolo and Tichy Lucia Maria Ursu Stropsa. He was deeply proud of his Romanian heritage and of a family history rooted in courage, leadership, and service to the Romanian community.

Determined to build a life of freedom and opportunity, Peter immigrated to the United States in 1978 after overcoming significant challenges under Romania’s communist regime. He began a distinguished career with GTE, later Verizon, where he worked for more than 25 years. Starting as a Systems Programmer and rising to Senior Systems Engineer, Peter became known for his creativity, technical excellence, and innovative thinking. One of his major achievements was the development of BILLSTAR, a billing records system that became a nationwide company standard. His work took him across the U.S. and Hawaii. and internationally, including Caracas Venezuela and a a two-year assignment in Romania helping the Romanan Telephone Company (ROMTELECOM) modernize their telephony telecommunications systems.

Upon his arrival in the United States in January 1978. he landed a job at GTE/Verizon where he met, dated and eventually married the love of his life Maria Cuenco-Ursu. affectionately known as Mabel or Mabela. Together they shared a marriage built on faith, adventure, and service. They traveled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States, supporting charitable and Christian ministries and creating lasting friendships wherever they went.

Peter was a man of many talents and passions. He loved inventing, building, and improving things. Whether designing practical home projects, creating useful inventions, cultivating heirloom tomatoes, or operating his beloved pomelo farm in Santa Rosa Valley, California, he approached every endeavor with enthusiasm and determination. His nine-acre farm, where he planted and cared for nearly 1,000 pomelo trees, became a source of great pride and accomplishment. His last major project was his construction of a HUGE Gazebo behind the house and called it the Palladio Pavilion. His design was influenced by ANDREA PALLADIO, a widely known Italian Renaissance architect.

Above all, Peter’s life was anchored by his Christian faith. He openly thanked Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was grateful for the opportunity to support Mabel in her ministry work around the world. He lived by the Scripture engraved on a church bell he commissioned in Romania: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Peter will be remembered for his sharp intellect, entrepreneurial spirit, sense of humor, love of gardening, enjoyment of soccer and Beatles music, and his unwavering devotion to God. family and friends. He leaves behind his beloved wife Mabel, his nephews Razvan and Bogdan Rizzolo and their families; extended family in Romania, Canada, and the United States; and countless friends whose lives were enriched by his kindness, wisdom, and generosity.

Though he will be deeply missed, Peter’s legacy of faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, perseverance, innovation, and love will continue to inspire all who knew him. Glory to God!

Visitation will be held at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362, on July 1, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362, on July 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Committal Service at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park.