Chester D. Urbaniak Obituary (1918 - 2016)

Chester D. Urbaniak, age 97, of Erie, passed away peacefully at his home and surrounded by his family on Monday, February 29, 2016, following a brief illness. He was born in Erie on May 22, 1918, son of the late Leonard and Helen Lorencki Urbaniak. As a youngster, Chet attended St. Stanislaus School. A World War II veteran, Chet entered the U.S. Army on May 12, 1942 and served his country until his honorable discharge on Oct. 27, 1945. He was in business for many years with his three brothers in one of Erie's well-known family businesses, Urbaniak Bros. Quality Meats, located at 24th and German Streets. He had a passion for the family business and worked at the store for over 70 years. Chet had been an active member of Mount Calvary R.C. Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed fishing. Chet was preceded in death by his three brothers: Bernard, Edward and Theodore Urbaniak; two sisters: Stephanie Piotrowicz and Eileen Szustak. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Rita A. Alexandrowicz Urbaniak; his four children: Rebecca U. Stanton (Dan) of Washington, D.C., Gerald T. Urbaniak (Dinah), Laura J. Slurkanich (Gary) and Andrew C. Urbaniak (Laurie) all of Erie; two sisters: Mary Marschak (Joseph) and Joan Urbaniak all of Erie; six grandchildren, one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 5151 Buffalo Rd. (at Hannon Rd. in Harborcreek Twp.), on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Monday at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Mount Calvary Church at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Mary Queen of Peace Mausoleum where full military honors will be rendered. Memorial contributions may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen or to Great Lakes Hospice.