Aloysius Anthony Meckelborg

On the morning of April 21, 2024, Aloysius Anthony Meckelborg passed away peacefully while preparing for Sunday mass. He was just shy of his 92nd birthday. Al was born June 8, 1932, to Bernard H. and Johanna A. Meckelborg of St. Gregor, Saskatchewan. Raised on a wheat farm, he spoke German as his first language. He attended St. Gertrude School in Muenster, Saskatchewan, through the eighth grade. He left Canada in 1956 for Santa Barbara, California, intending to apprentice with his Uncle Joe Klinker in carpentry. Instead, he was drafted into the US Air Force, becoming a certified radar technician. He served most of his enlistment in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Upon his discharge in 1960, he returned to Santa Barbara and picked up work as a handyman at Circle Bar B Guest Ranch. There, he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kitty) Ann McCue, a Brooklyn, New York native, vacationing at the ranch. They were married in New York on January 7, 1961, at St. Sylvester's Catholic Church. Their honeymoon was a cross-country road trip, ultimately settling in Santa Barbara. Al completed his apprenticeship and became a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 413), recently receiving his 65-year membership pin. A proud union member, he worked on heavy construction projects at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Vandenberg Space Force Base, various offshore oil rigs, and many local building and housing developments. Al was a dedicated family man and a devoted parishioner at St. Raphael's Church in Goleta. He actively participated in activities and charity work with the Knights of Columbus Goleta Valley Council 5300 and was a 4th-Degree member of the Junipero Serra Assembly 0044. Al and Kitty were regulars at the Lenten Fish Frys and worked the Fiesta soda booth run by the Knights. Aside from trips to Canada to visit family and attend reunions, Al and Kitty's favorite vacation was cruising. They completed thirty cruises before Kitty's passing in 2006, traveling extensively in Europe, Australia, Panama, and the Americas. Al is preceded in death by his brothers Bernard (Ben), Ewald (Wally), Johan (John), and Helmut (Hal) Meckelborg. He is survived by his brother Raymond (Ray) Meckelborg (Bridget) and sister Johanna Anderson (Bert). Al leaves behind his beloved children Ann Marie Meckelborg (Kevin Cheesman), Bryan Meckelborg, Wayne Meckelborg (Heather), and Ian Meckelborg (Shawna). He was blessed with grandchildren Brendan, Brittany, Ashley, Brock, Amelia, Wyatt, Kelly, Mia, Mason, and Landon. A special thank you to the incredible staff and residents of Vista Del Monte assisted living, where Al became a popular resident over the past two years. His wit and charm will be missed by all who knew him. A rosary and vigil will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel in Goleta. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, May 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, with a reception at the parish hall immediately following. ** For hotel accommodations, please click on the link for special room rates to Best Western Plus South Coast 5620 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117 https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.05521.html?groupId=G79IN5V2

Aloysius Anthony Meckelborg

June 8, 1932 - April 21, 2024