John W. Urbanik

John W.  Urbanik, formerly of Pawtucket, RI, and Whippany, NJ, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, December 17, 2021.   He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Marge (Heston) Urbanik, and two daughters, Margo Jablonski and her husband Peter, of Clarendon Hills, IL and Brenda Zona and her husband Timothy, of Northbridge; 5 granddaughters:  Maggie, Annie, and Ginny Jablonski and Alexis and Molly Zona.  In addition, he leaves his niece Cindy McKenna and her husband Bill, and nephew Steven Babiec and his wife Chris.  John was predeceased by his sister Virginia Babiec.

John was born September 10, 1927, in Pawtucket, RI, the son of John and Sophie (Belch) Urbanik. He grew up in Pawtucket and graduated from the former East High School.  After graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy serving two tours of duty, his first during WWII aboard the USS Currier and his second during the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Johnston. 

John later attended the University of Rhode Island on the “G.I. Bill” and received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He worked as an engineer and underwriter in the Insurance industry for many years with the FM Global Group, which brought him from Rhode Island to Whippany, NJ in 1975.  He and Marge moved to Hopkinton, MA in January 2021.

While living in New Jersey, John was very active in the VFW R.C. Gulick Post 5351, serving as Post Commander, Morris County Commander, and "District 10" Commander, in addition to serving as a judge for the annual "Voice of Democracy" scholarship contest and coordinating the annual Christmas Stocking give away for Hanover Township children.  He was also involved in the American Legion and the Whippany, NJ Polish American Club.  

Aside from his family and his service to his country and community, John was most proud of having run 2 marathons.  In 1991 at the age of 64, he ran his first marathon in New York City, finishing in 4 hours and 21 minutes.  The following year he ran Chicago and finished tenth in his age group. 

A Memorial Service in the Carr Funeral Home will be held Saturday, January 22, at 11AM, preceded by a calling hour from 10-11. Masks are required in the funeral home. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to honor John's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL, 32256.   

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

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