Dante Ursin

Dante' Ursin, age 65, passed away on January 5, 2026. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dante' later made Jacksonville, Florida his home, where he built a life rooted in service, education, and deep love for family and community.

A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Dante' continued his lifelong commitment to service through education. For the past 15 years, he was a dedicated social studies teacher at A. Philip Randolph Career Academies in Jacksonville, where he taught 9th and 10th grade students. He was deeply invested in his students and young people in his life, always offering guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. Teaching was not just his profession-it was his calling. Everything Dante' did, whether in the military, the classroom, or daily life, he handled with professionalism, integrity, and purpose.

Dante' was known for his kind heart, generous spirit, confident presence, and calm problem-solving nature. He helped anyone he could, often finding solutions without hesitation. If an answer didn't come right away, he believed in patience and wisdom-often saying, "Let's sleep on it and figure it out tomorrow." He was loving, dependable, and deeply devoted to his mother and family.

He was also blessed with a close circle of lifelong friends who were inseparable and lovingly known as his "bonus brothers and sisters." These cherished relationships were a constant source of joy, loyalty, and laughter throughout his life.

A proud Louisiana native, Dante' loved to represent his favorite college football team, the Southern University Jaguars, and proudly supported his adopted hometown's NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. He loved music, enjoyed having a good time, and knew how to celebrate life. True to his New Orleans roots, Dante' had a special love for good food-especially seafood, with crawfish and turkey wings holding a special place-which always brought a smile and a laugh to those who knew him well.

Dante' is survived by his loving mother, Rose "Bobbie" Ross; his siblings, Shermon Collins, Rorynell Ursin, Charles Ursin, Anthony Ursin, Danielle Ursin, Brian Ursin, Cory Ursin, and Dwayne Ursin; his god sisters, Paulette Sawyer and Melissa Watson; his bonus brothers and sisters, Cynthia, Kevin, Greg, Yvonne, Beverly, and Carlos; along with extended family and many dear friends. He leaves behind a legacy of service, love, confidence, and generosity that will live on in the many lives and hearts he touched.