Obituary of Thomas S. Urbanowicz

Thomas Stanley Urbanowicz, age 77, of Trumbull, passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at St. Vincents Medical Center. Born in Dickson City, PA on January 20, 1932, he was a son of the late Stanley and Sophie Davitt Urbanowicz and was a U. S. Navy Veteran. A Trumbull resident since 1959, Tom had been active in the Trumbull Community and was a past member of the Town Council, the Board of Education, American Legion Post 141 and the Town Drug Abuse Committee. He volunteered his time to the Trumbull Emergency Medical Service as a dispatcher and was also a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society, the NRA and the U.S. Navy L.S.T. Association. Following his graduation from Harding High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving proudly and honorably for four years during the Korean Conflict aboard LST521, an amphibious warship, the photo portrait of which occupied a place of honor in his home. He attained the rank of First Class Petty Officer. Upon his honorable discharge, Tom attended the University of Bridgeport, earning a degree in Business Administration. Almost his entire working career was spent in the service of Silorsky Aircraft where he began work as an assembler during his college years and eventually advanced to Program Manager of certain helicopter design production. His intense love for flying machines made him thrilled to be part of their production. Tom had a private pilots license for a time as well. He was fiercely patriotic, participating in Veterans Day activities and Memorial Day observances. Tom adored the UConn Womens Basketball Program and he and his wife, Marilyn, were regular attendees at the games. Those who know him, believe that Tom stayed here long enough to witness the Lady Huskies win their 6th National Championship. He also enjoyed his trips to Wisconsin to attend the Air Shows and was known to his travel buddies as The Big Dog. Tom was also an avid train collector and enjoyed attending shows with his brother, Bob. Tom is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Marilyn. He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Jeff Bevino of Milford; Donna and Mike Melisi of Trumbull; Kathy and Walt Reiser of West Long Branch, NJ and Lisa and George Salanto of Milford. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Fallon and Michael Bevino, Emily and Allie Reiser and Nicolina and Talia Salanto, who always brought a loving smile and a big hug to grandpa. Tom is also survived by his devoted brother, Robert Urbanowicz of Trumbull and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Information

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897, the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Rd., Suite 105, Middletown, CT 06457 or the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.