Richard J. Urbanski, union official, Korean War veteran

Urbanski

Richard J. Urbanski, 78, of Williamsville, a retired Dunlop Tire & Rubber Corp. electrician and union official, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, after a year-long battle with lung cancer at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Cheektowaga.

Mr. Urbanski attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy at St. Florian's Church in Buffalo and Canisius High School from 1943 to 1946. He earned his associate's degree from Erie County Community College in 1959 and completed several professional certificate programs.

He was in the U.S. Navy's VP-772 Patrol Squadron and in Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 895 during the Korean War as an aviation electrician's mate third class, where he serviced planes flying reconnaissance missions and supported troops. For his efforts, he received a Korean service medal in 2002. He also received a United Nations ribbon in 1953.

Mr. Urbanski served as treasurer and steward of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum & Plastic Workers Local 135 (affiliated with AFL-CIO, now the Steelworkers' union) through the 1980s. He retired from Dunlop Tire and Rubber Corp. in the 1980s after 45 years as a plant electrician.

He was an active member of the Amherst Senior Center's tennis and golf leagues, including golf league organizer, and won bridge club and golf awards and tournaments. He also won awards through a Dunlop bowling league at Manor Lanes and golf awards through another Dunlop league.

Mr. Urbanski also belonged to the Niagara River Station Fishing Club and Holy Name Society of St. Gregory the Great and St. Leo the Great churches in Amherst and Williamsville. He was also an active member of the New York State Skilled Workers Emeritus, making presentations about the viability of skilled trades as a vocation to area high school students.

According to his family, he loved gardening, fishing and golfing. He attended many Elderhostel trips with his wife, Mary Ann. He also had been an avid deer hunter.

His daughter, Elizabeth Urbanski Farrell, said her father could also fix anything that was broken at home.

Besides his wife, Mary Ann and daughter, Elizabeth, Mr. Urbanski is survived by two other daughters, Eileen Martin of Buffalo and Susan Urbanski of Depew; a son, Paul Urbanski of Lockport; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4 in St. Gregory the Great Church, Maple Road near Hopkins, Williamsville.

Donations may be made to the Western New York Hospice Foundation.

Arrangements were made by Dietrich Funeral Home.