Ulysses was born on March 17, 1967, in East LA City Terrace. He took pride in overcoming challenges in his community, finding an outlet in sports with his brothers. A three-sport varsity athlete at Salesian High School, he played football, soccer, and baseball. He loved cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Dodgers. He approached everything with care and precision, which shaped him as a father and firefighter.

After graduating in 1985, Ulysses became inseparable from his younger brother, Victor. When Victor enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987, Ulysses joined the same day. He served three years of active duty, earning his Airborne Wings and Ranger Tab. He fought wildfires during the Longwood Fire and was deployed for Operation Golden Pheasant in Honduras and Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama. He later served five years in the Army National Guard, responding to the 1992 riots and 1994 Northridge earthquake.

In 1992, Ulysses proposed to the love of his life, Monica, on Christmas Eve. They married in 1993, building a life full of love and resilience. Together, they raised three children—Rebecca, Ulysses, and Lisa—who embody their devotion.

Ulysses pursued his dream of firefighting, completing the Rio Hondo Fire Academy in 1991. In 1998, he landed his first firefighting job at Vandenberg Air Force Base while also working as a probation officer and IBM technician. In 2000, he joined the LACFD before transitioning to LA County in 2001, fulfilling his lifelong goal. He thrived as a firefighter and was promoted to engineer in 2006. To be closer to family, he spent ten years in fire prevention before returning to the field, retiring from Fire Station 49 in 2022 after 23 years of service.

A devoted father, Ulysses encouraged his children’s passions. Rebecca shares his love for home videos, capturing cherished family moments. His son, Ulysses, pursued baseball, and he proudly supported his journey from tee ball to college. His youngest, Lisa, played golf at Cal State LA, and they bonded over the sport and cooking.

Ulysses loved entertaining, hosting legendary New Year’s Eve and Super Bowl parties. A master griller, he cooked for his fire station and smoked tri-tip for loved ones. His humor shined through his expert photobombing, always ensuring laughter.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day, he often said he was lucky, but in truth, everyone who knew him was the lucky one. His unwavering love and infectious smile left an indelible mark. Ulysses lived purposefully, filling 56 years with love, laughter, and service. He was a beautiful soul taken too soon.