STSC (Sel) Alfred Louis Urdiales, age 39, passed away in Australia on August 24, 2024.
Alfred was born January 25, 1985, in Hazel Crest, IL. Dear son of Arthur Urdiales and Paula Knoche. He was raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, graduating from Lincoln-Way East High School in 2003. He attended Columbia College Chicago before enlisting in the US Navy in August 2005. Alfred served in the US Navy for the past 19 years stationed out of various bases, including Connecticut, Hawaii, Japan, Virginia, and Guam where he was recently selected for Chief Petty Officer.
Alfred is survived by his mother, Paula Urdiales, his sister, Yolanda (Jason) Zenawick and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Urdiales.
Alfred enjoyed traveling and immersing himself in other cultures and cuisines. He particularly enjoyed visiting various countries in Europe, Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific Northwest. In all his travels, Alfred never forgot his Chicago roots and dearly loved his hometown city. Alfred was also a huge movie buff, with his favorite being Blade Runner.
Alfred’s life, love, and humor impacted many people around the world and will be dearly missed.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 4–6 pm with a service held at 6 pm all at DeFiore Funeral Home -10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, Illinois 60142. The funeral service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/defiorefuneral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Alfred’s name can be made to America’s Gold Star Families.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolence may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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I dear sweet nephew/godson. I still can't believe that you are not with us any longer. You will be missed forever, and loved always! Save travels by sweetboy!
We are truly sorry for your loss. We are beyond grateful that we were able to have known him and called him a friend.
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
You are now with grandma and grandpa and your dad and Tio. You’re now in safe arms. Love you and going to miss you. ❤️
So sorry for your loss. 🫶🏻😢💔
I am sorry that I didn't get to spend more time with him over the years. He made me smile and laugh with his wit and humor that was a gift all his own. My condolences with the deepest sincerity to his family and to the people who love Alfred. You will always be missed.
Losing a child is so difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you Paula, as well as the rest of your family.
I send to the family of Alfred Urdiales, my most sincere condolences. His personality is truly unforgettable and he will be greatly missed by his brothers. I love you Fredo!
Alfred is my friend and shipmate. He will be missed dearly by me and the others he served with on the USS Indiana. My condolences to his family and friends.
Urdiales was the greatest LPO of all time. While he could be hard on us at times, it was because he saw that we could do better than we realized. He was more upset when we would sell ourselves short. He inspired perfection in our craft and he shielded us from unnecessary obstacles. The man was a natural born leader and role model to all sailors. To be half as good a sonar tech as Urdiales, was to be a sonar tech unlike the force has ever seen. May God rest your weary sole. You have stood your last watch. Fair winds and following seas my friend.
So sorry for your loss Paula and your families. May it help to know others have you in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days ahead.
Paula, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending hugs, prayers and sympathy. ❤️❤️
Yolanda, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your brother. May his memory continue to live in your and your family's hearts.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I am grateful that I got to know Alfred while he worked with my husband on the USS Indiana. Sending thoughts & prayers.He will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace Alfred.
So sorry Paula. One should never have to bury a child. My deepest sympathies. Sharon Jansen Murphy
Paula, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending hugs, prayers and sympathy. ❤️❤️
Paula-I was so sad to see that you lost your son. I want to send you a big hug! He sounds like such a great guy. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers! Love, Jean Courtois ❤️
To the Uridales family I am very sorry for your loss! I served with him in Japan from 2011 to 2015 and we went to Soccer games, festivals, and I can tell you he was a joy to be around! Breaks my heart to be writing to you in this fashion but I hope you all know your in my prayers and thoughts. No words I will ever say can express my greatfulness in him being there for me in Japan. I wish you all the best and much love.
My condolences goes out to Paula (Mom) and Yolanda (Sister) for their beloved son and brother Alfred. May god continue to comfort you as well as all family members through this most difficult time. May he RIH 🙏🏽
Alfred was one of the best people I’ve ever served with. Someone I trusted and enjoyed being around. He was smart, witty, and was an awesome story teller. I miss him very much.
I never met Alfred in person but reading his obituary and the heartfelt condolences submitted by family and friends, he sounds like a wonderful person who was loved and respected by many, both personally and professionally.
Thinking of you and your mom during this difficult time.
Alfred was a very smart and down to earth person. When I was chosen to be his sponser it gave me honor to know he was going to be the first chief select I was going to put the combo cover on. I am very proud of all of his accomplishments and looked forward to welcoming him into the Chief’s mess. You will be missed brother. You are in a better place.
Rest in peace Urdy. Thank you for always smiling and being a huge role model role model for me. You're always sharp and so knowledgeable. You truly made an impact on me and opened my eyes for how much room for improvement I have. You created some of the best memories. I now have Huidor's couch that you accidentally broke when sitting on it haha xD. You will be missed.
Urdy, Thank you for all the inspiration and knowledge you have given me when I first got here. Hope I can use that knowledge to be like you a hard worker. I know my spelling isn’t the best, but you can make fun of me later. Miss u bud.
Thank you for always being the best person to be around. You made my time on the ESL so much better, from sharing your funny stories, snacks (tim tams) and ridiculous amount of knowledge. You stood on business everyday. I'm so proud of you for the work you've done and the person you are.
Sorry for your loss. We may not have been close, but Urdi had a positive impact in my life, always positive to talk to and would never hesitate to help anyone who asked! A great man, he will always remain in our hearts.
While I wish I knew him better, I am glad to have met him and the few encounters were full of good vibes. He would always quote movies or songs that always put smiles on everyone around him. We shared our mix frustration when it came to getting qualified planner but I was so proud he was the third person to get the qual completed. I miss seeing him around. Condolences to the family.
Chief Select Urdy was a hilarious, incredibly funny, professional, caring guy. He was loud, with an infectious smile. He was the most squared-away guy, with the most professional knowledge. He would talk about his time in Japan, how much he hated the Guam politicians, his love for watching live sports. Urdy loved going out doing activities and exploring. My first impression of him was his giant hands as he shook mine, his welcoming smile, and his willingness to help his junior sailors. He was the standard of what it meant to be a good guy, and a good sailor. I am sorry for your loss. He would make impressions of your voices when telling stories of you. He has left a void on this ship, as I'm sure he has in your lives. You, your family, and Urdy are in my prayers. I am glad to have met and served with Urdy.
Although Alfred has only recently picked up the rank of Chief, he was already operating and working as one in my eyes. I was really excited to finally hear his name get called. He was always looking out for the junior Sailors and always found time to help anyone in need. He had a loud voice and was not afraid to put out his opinion, which was great because his inputs were mostly spot on. He is someone most junior sailors would go to if they needed help, because he had an inviting and friendly presence. I’ve always enjoyed the conversations we had during our duty days. We shared a great interest and love for traveling. I would listen to adventures from his leave so that I could plan for mine. I appreciate all the mentorship and guidance he has given me and my Sailors. He is at the top of the list as a Sailor one should emulate. He was also an amazing person to be around.
Thank you for your kind hearted smile and personality. Thank you for all the help you assisted me around the ship. I am going to miss you. I already do, looking in the p-way, on the mess decks. You are missed and you are loved.
R.I.P to my dawg URDY. He was always ready to help me when needed.
Yo man I miss you like a lot man. You just gave me my OOD board. Rest up big homie.
Urdy, I will miss our Chicago & NYC comparing conversations. Your opinion and presence always mean a lot. "McDonalds is where we lay down the law." Haha. Thank you for your advice and guidance on how to swim on Navy waters. I'll forever cherish the laughs we shared. Until we meet again for a cup of coffee my friend. To Urdy's family, He will forever be remembered as wonderful, funny, adventurous spirit we love.
Rest easy <3
Someone I'll never forget, great loss to the Navy and to all of us.
Going to miss Urdy a lot. He was inspirational and motivated and that energy always seemed to transfer to other around him.
Rest easy big dog. I'm really going to miss you man. I knew the day that i meet you that you were top tier. The way you carried yourself left no doubt that you were confident and competent. Having you as an LPO was the ultimate cheat code I'm sure if i never showed up to work no one would miss me because you had it all covered. You had such a big personality and i am going to miss our back and forth bantering about topics spanning from football to anime. You were the smartest man i ever meet there wasn't a random question you didn't have the answer to. My most fund memory of us in the shop will be our daily attempts to trick each other into singing catchy songs. Every time i hear they not like us i will think of you brother. See you on the other side bro.
He had a beautiful soul and will definitely be missed.
To the family of STSC Urdiales it has been an honor to work with one of the finest Sailors on the ship. On behalf of the division we will carry on his knowledge and teachings. Thank you and our condolences. Stay Blessed
Hearing his submariner humor was always a nice touch to my day, and perhaps everyone else's.
Alfred, Thank you for your mentorship, humor, and guidance. You have made a positive impact not only in my life, but in those around you. I will forever cherish the amazing memories we shared together in Australia. As your chapter closes, a new one opens with me trying my best to do right by you. That's what you would have wanted. I love you brother.
My deepest condolences to the family and friends. Alfred Urdiales was a great man, always telling stories and experiences that he had encountered in life. Our time together on the USS Emory S. Land will never be forgotten. We will miss you brother!
We all so love Yolanda at Joliet Junior College and pass on our deepest condolences to the family. A donation was made to America’s Gold Star in Alfred's honor. Thank you for supporting such a noble cause and helping others despite how challenging this must be for the family. We are thinking of you.
“Dirty Urdy” was one of a kind. To the Urdiales family, my deepest condolences. Alfred was a top notch mentor, a true leader of men, and above all a good man. I’ll always think of you and our time together on the Indiana fondly. Rest easy, shipmate.
“Dirty Urdy” was one of a kind. To the Urdiales family, my deepest condolences. Alfred was a top notch mentor, a true leader of men, and above all a good man. I’ll always think of you and our time together on the Indiana fondly. Rest easy, shipmate.