Naples Rib Company co-founder Francis “Fran” Ursini passed away earlier this month at the age of 86. Ursini purchased the former Naples Rib Joint with his son, Dave Ursini, in 1992, relaunching it as Naples Rib Company, which has been a Long Beach staple ever since.
“In 1984 he opened up the Newport Rib Company and he went all around Southern California, and he walked into Naples Rib Joint and loved it,” said Dave. “He modeled Newport Rib after it and then we took it over.”
Fran Ursini was born in Chicago to Nick and Mary Ursini, and grew up to play offensive line in high school at 145 pounds, showing a tenacity that would serve him well throughout his life. Fran married his high school sweetheart, Karen Ann Peterson, on December 29, 1962, and they moved to Orange County after having their first son, John. After arriving in Costa Mesa they had David and Laura, and Fran began to run a hamburger stand at 22nd and Oceanfront in Newport Beach in 1965. He would end up running several other businesses in the Newport Pier area: Hadley’s, Togo’s, Pizza Station, The Sub Station, the Patio Cafe–and of course, Newport Rib Company, which he founded in 1984.
A man with a legendary work ethic, he built Newport Rib Company into a powerhouse, and in 1992 saw the opportunity to expand.
“I was 25 years old working as a CPA at one of the big firms,” said Dave Ursini. “Wearing a suit every day wasn’t my style–he said the place up in Long Beach is for sale. If you want to quit your job then you, me, and your brother can run two restaurants.”
The Rib Joint had gone bankrupt, and Fran was in a better cash position to purchase it than the other bidders. So in 1992 he bought it and they relaunched the restaurant together as Naples Rib Company–a longtime Long Beach staple ever since and well-loved supporter of Long Beach State (currently serving the food at Beach games) as well as all the local high schools and the562.org.
Four nights a week Fran would work at Newport, Dave would work four at Naples, and then Dave’s brother John would do two nights at each.
“One of us would close up every night and turn the light off,” said Dave.
The only night there would be no Ursinis at Naples Rib Company for the last three decades was Thursdays–that’s the night the entire family would be playing on the softball team they’ve had competing in the Huntington Beach softball league for the last four decades.
“Sports was the only thing bigger to my dad than work, he loved sports,” said Dave.
In addition to coaching and going to his kids’ games, Fran was a CIF-SS football official for more than 50 years, a well-liked Orange County official who had good relationships with the local coaches.
“He was just out there for the kids,” said Dave. “There were never any hard feelings–in fact one of the coaches he was friends with is speaking at his celebration of life.”
A frequent volunteer in his community, it’s no surprise that Fran’s legacy is felt through his children with the philanthropic way that both Naples and Newport Rib Company are run.
Fran is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Karen; his sister Alvera; son John and wife Kathy; son David and wife Krista; daughter Laura Marroquin and husband Jerry; and grandchildren Allie Luna (Joey), Maddie, Emily, Angelo, Nicholas, Amber Reyes (Austin), Jessica and Justin.
Fran’s memorial service will be held on Saturday April 5th at 11 am at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Huntington Beach. A memorial reception will follow at The Costa Mesa Golf Course. Due to the limited size of the venues, please RSVP at bit.ly/FranCelebrationOfLife.
The family has requested Island attire (no ties). In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to your favorite local charity, or one of his favorites, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (lcrhb.org/give). If you select the fund in memory of Fran Ursini, your gift will go to the Good Samaritan Fund, which is what Fran was at his core. Throughout his life, he actively cared for marginalized people who needed a helping hand or simply his friendship to get their lives back on track.
