Ambrose Mark Urbany

Ambrose M. Urbany of Washington, PA died peacefully surrounded by his family in his daughter's home on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Mr. Urbany was born on April 25, 1922 in Masontown, PA, the son of Frank and Anna Golden Urbany. He grew up in Carmichaels, PA, and graduated from Cumberland Township High School and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. Industrious throughout his life, he started with a paper route as a child and had his own bicycle repair business when he was in high school. He always believed he had it good, even through the leanest years of the depression. His avid passion for aviation and his career in that field began in December 1940 at the Waynesburg airport where he worked for $8.00 per week and started flying. He enlisted in the service during the war and served in the Army Air Corp 302nd Airdrome Squadron as a flight engineer on C-47's for missions in Europe and Africa. He earned several medals during WW ll including the Good Conduct Medal, WW ll Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars. He served in the National Guard during the Korean War. Ambrose married his high school sweetheart, Marguerite Orlosky (of Nemacolin, PA) on November 21, 1945 after his discharge from the service. The couple moved a few times as he worked in various locations including employment with TWA and Taylor Aviation in Carlisle, PA. They returned to their roots in Western PA where he worked 2 to 3 jobs at a time (including in the coal mine) to support his family. In the early 1950's he ran his own aircraft repair business at Washington County Airport. After that he was taken on as corporate pilot and chief of maintenance for Jessop Steel, Vulcan Mold and PNC Bank - Retiring from PNC Bank. He flew and worked on a number of single and multi engine aircraft throughout his career including jets and helicopters. Ambrose inspired many others to vocations or avocations in aviation including his son, nephews and grandsons. He owned and maintained a personal aircraft throughout his life. His favorite of all to fly was the Piper Cub. He was an aircraft mechanic since 1940 and was an FAA inspector for over 65 years. He received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the FAA . He also earned the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, a special honor bestowed by the FAA. Mr. Urbany was a long time parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion 175,VFW 927, Washington Flyers Club, Professional Aviation Mechanics Association, and the Washington Seniors Center. A devoted family man, he treasured his wife, loved his children and shared a special and unique bond with each of his grandchildren. He showed particular delight in the company of his great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Orlosky Urbany. He is survived by three daughters, one son, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Children are Catherine (Stuart) Cook of Marlton, NJ; Helene (Ludwig) Brand of Washington, PA; Mark (Gabriela) Urbany of Hickory, PA; and Lynn (Jeff) Lucatorto of McGaheyville, VA. Two brothers, Franklin (Marilyn) Urbany of Phoenix, AZ and Larry (Theresa) Urbany of Brigantine, NJ also survive him. One brother, Robert Urbany is deceased. Friends will be received Monday from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 30th, in Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.