Oystein Husoe

Oystein Frey "Sam" Husoe, 88, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, in Lake Forest, California. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and public servant, Sam lived a life marked by deep love, unwavering dedication, and a profound sense of duty.

Born Øystein Frey Husø on December 14, 1937, in Oslo, Norway, Sam was the son of Mildrid and Ansgar Husø. In 1953, at the age of 15, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and sister Eva. The family arrived through Ellis Island where they officially changed their last name to Husoe to make it easier to pronounce and to remove the Norwegian ø. They made their home in San Pedro, California, a place that would shape much of Sam’s future.

Sam graduated from San Pedro High School in 1956. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably as an Air Policeman until 1959. Stationed in Châteauroux, France, his time in the service instilled in him a lifelong commitment to public safety and community service.

After returning home, Sam pursued higher education with determination and purpose. He attended Los Angeles Harbor College (this is where is friends took to calling him Sam) and Long Beach City College, earning his Associate of Science degree in 1976. He continued his academic journey at the University of Redlands where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. Never one to stop learning, Sam earned his Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration from California State University, Long Beach in 1994.

Sam met the love of his life, Celia Osuna, at Los Angeles Harbor College in 1960. They married on September 1, 1962, in Los Angeles and began building a life together grounded in mutual devotion and shared dreams. They first settled in Long Beach where they raised their two eldest children, Erik and Heidi. In 1977, they moved to San Juan Capistrano where their youngest son Karl was born the following year.

In 1964, Sam began what would become a distinguished career with the Long Beach Fire Department. Over three decades of service saw him rise through the ranks to retire as Deputy Fire Chief in 1995. His commitment to fire safety did not end there—he joined the Orange County Fire Authority that same year and served as Division Chief until his second retirement in 2007. From 2007 to 2014, he continued contributing to fire prevention efforts as Regional Manager for the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Sam’s professional accomplishments were matched only by his devotion to family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Celia; their children Erik; Heidi (Don) and their daughter Celia "CeCe"; and Karl (Julie) and their sons Liam and Dylan. He is also survived by his cherished step-grandchildren Simone (Mark), Sean (Tess), Skylar, and Sheridan (Kelsey); and step-great-grandchildren Bobby and Zack. His sister Eva also survives him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mildrid and Ansgar Husoe and by his parents-in-law Edward and Josephine Osuna.

Sam had a lifelong passion for snow skiing and found joy in working on odd jobs around the house—especially when helping his children as their personal handyman. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren and took great pride in traveling back to Norway to visit extended family. But above all else, Sam loved being with Celia—his “sweetheart”—with whom he shared a bond that never wavered across more than six decades of marriage.

Those who knew Sam remember him as a man who felt deeply—his emotions expressed with passion, humor, joy, and boundless love. His pride for his children and grandchildren was immense; it often moved him to tears simply reflecting on how much he loved them.

Per Sam's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial. In lieu of flowers, it would be appreciated to make a donation in Sam's name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. His remains will be interned at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, California.

Sam’s legacy lives on through the many lives he touched—as a firefighter, mentor, friend, husband, father, grandfather—and through the enduring love he gave so freely. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.