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Sgt. Maj. John Francis "Ski" Urbanski USMC (Ret.)
1923 - 2011
BORN
1923
DIED
2011
FUNERAL HOME
John Urbanski Obituary
A memorial service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Leeds Episcopal Church in Markham, conducted by Father Alex Darby. Interment will follow in Leeds Episcopal Cemetery. All are invited to a reception following the services at the Leeds Episcopal Church Parish Hall.
Mr. Urbanski was born November 3, 1923, in Toledo, OH, son of the late John Francis and Mary Lewandowski Urbanski.
He attended Woodward High School in Toledo.
Mr. Urbanski enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940. He participated in the landing and seizure of Peleliu Island and Okinawa as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Upon cessation of hostilities he embarked for North China with the 1st Marine Division where he participated in the landing, occupation, and relief of the Japanese garrison in the Jangau-Takui area of China. Mr. Urbanski also fought in the Korean War and participated in the assault and seizure of Inchon and the capture and securing of Seoul.
He retired from the USMC in April of 1960 and sold Farm Bureau Insurance and trained bird dogs. He was a member of the Warrenton Kennel Club, an honorary lifetime member of the American Brittany Club, and an honorary lifetime member, past president, and founding member of the Rappahannock Brittany Club. He was married to the late Nancy Ambler Urbanski with whom he owned and operated Willow Run Kennels in Linden, VA, which they began in 1969.
He is survived by a daughter, Susan U. Simar and her husband Ron of Mercersburg, PA; a son, John "Jeff" Francis Urbanski, Jr. of Linden; five grandchildren, Eric Ambler Mercer, Millicent Ambler Urbanski, John Francis Urbanski, IV, Matthew Louis Simar, and Seton Simar-Moritz; four great-grandchildren; five nieces; and three nephews.
Along with his wife and parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Frank, Ray, and Joe Urbanski; a sister, Sylvia Wojnowski; and two nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal is handling the arrangements.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Urbanski
6 Entries
Bob & Barb Youngs
May 2, 2011
Our sympathy to the family. We got to know Ski thru the Brittanys and have many fond memories of the friendship.
April 29, 2011
Jeff, Millicent and John
We are sorry to hear of Ski's passing. Ski was so warm and friendly. We always enjoyed seeing him. He will be missed.
Lauren, Gary, Seth and Bailey Fillmore
April 28, 2011
A very nice man whom I respected a lot, took care of me and my bird dogs and taught me a lot about bird hunting. Jimmy Brinklow
peggy law
April 27, 2011
Ski and his late wife Nancy were important people to me at a particular time in my life- they were warm, caring, open, welcoming, kind, generous and funny. Their friendship and Ski's humor and warmth, a treasured memory. Jeff and Susan- I am very sorry for your enormous loss.
Angie/Jeff Boucher
April 27, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
Prudie Mathews
April 26, 2011
Pleasant memories of a beautiful family.
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