Donald George Urban, 84

Donald George Urban, 84, of Denver NC passed away on May 14, 2024. He was born on February 24, 1940 in Teaneck, NJ to the late Ernest and Dorothy Urban. Don graduated from Teaneck High School in 1958 and attended classes at Pace University in Westchester, NY in 1968.

Don proudly served in the United States Army National Guard at Fort Dix during a 12–18-month service.

Don worked hard throughout his life. In his youth he worked at the US Postal Service as a mail carrier. He then worked as a computer programmer at Berlex Laboratories Inc, and eventually retired from Bank of America as a computer programmer.

Don married the love of his life Marie (Locovare) Urban on September 11, 1965. They have two children, Elizabeth and Scott.

Don loved camping with his family in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. As a young man, he had his pilot license and would fly up to Massachusetts to visit his family. He enjoyed bowling and was secretary of his bowling league. He was a fan of Country and BlueGrass Music and could play the piano by ear, He was an amateur astronomer and often organized star parties in Massachusetts for the members of the Rockland Astronomy Club of Rockland County, NY. After moving to IL, Don became an avid cribbage player, both in local grass root clubs and at weekend tournaments. He would often travel to Reno, NV to participate in tournaments.

Don was a member of Cribbage Club 213 in Crystal Lake, IL from 2006 to 2018, winning the championship four times. He was also a member of clubs in Elgin, IL and Kenosha, WI. In that time, he visited six other clubs. He earned his Grass Roots Bronze Award in 2012 and Silver in 2019.

In tournament play, Don qualified for points in 165 events from 2006-2019, winning 11 of them and finishing second in 9 others. He earned his Master Award in 2012 and Grand Master Award in 2015. He was just 49 points shy of his Life Master Award.

Don moved to many places throughout his lifetime including Closter, NJ from 1967 to 2020, Marengo, IL from 2006 to 2020, and eventually settling in Denver, NC from 2020-2024 to be closer to his family. When moving to Denver, NC he discovered that there was no active cribbage club, so he worked hard and founded Tar Heel 443 Cribbage Club in Denver and won the championship three years ago. In his honor, the Denver, NC club has been renamed to Don Urban’s Tar Heel 443 Cribbage Club,

Left to cherish Don’s memory is his loving wife of 58 years Marie; children Elizabeth (Anthony) Montanaro of Woodstock, IL and Scott (Melinda) Urban of Denver, NC; grandchildren Frank Montanaro, Mitchell Montanaro, and Jessica Bennett; and brothers Richard, Kenneth, and Steven Urban.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday June 8, 2024, at 11:00AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the mass beginning at 10:00AM. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Lincolnton NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the service dog training organization 4 Paws for Ability; 207 Dayton Ave Xenia, OH 45383 or through their donation link: Donation to 4 Paws for Ability