Leo Paul Urbick, 88, a Samish Island resident and longtime Burlington businessman, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
Leo was born on April 14, 1921 in Bellingham, Washington, the son of Anthony & Sary (Pelowski) Urbick. He was raised and attended school in Bellingham and graduated from Bellingham High School with the class of 1940. He enlisted in the Washington National Guard in September of 1940 and his unit was transferred to active Army. He was deployed to Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese bombing in December of 1941. He later served at Guadalcanal where he was sitting on a log muddy and exhausted when first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt approached him and struck up a conversation. Sometime later he sustained injuries and was sent to a hospital in New Caledonia to recover. While there Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit the injured men and as she was walking by his bed he said to her “Good to see you again”. She stopped and said “Have we met before?” to which he replied, “Yes we spoke on Guadalcanal”, at which point she recognized him. For his injuries he was awarded the Purple Heart, he also received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and other citations.
On February 22, 1944 he was united in marriage to Lorraine Parberry in Bellingham and after his honorable discharge in 1945 they made their home in Whatcom County, where he worked briefly for the Washington Stare Patrol and for the Fisheries Department and then in King county where he operated King County Junk with his brother Ray. Leo and Lorraine settled in Mount Vernon in 1959.
Leo and Ray had moved the scrap metal business to Burlington in 1958 renaming it Skagit River Junk. Ray shortly thereafter retired and Leo took on business partner John Mortensen in the early 1960’s and together they operated the business for many years. Eventually Leo became sole owner and the company, now known as Skagit River Steel and Recycling, is still operated by his family.
In 1977 Lorraine passed away and Leo later married Helen Weidman. She also preceded him in death in 1995. On April 13, 1996 he married Dorothy Bluhm in Burlington.
Leo was very active in his community. He was a 4th Degree and charter member and Grand Knight of the North Cross Council of Knights of Columbus in Sedro-Woolley. Also a member of the Burlington Rotary and Mount Vernon Elks Club. He and Dorothy were strong supporters of St. Charles Catholic Church and of the Immaculate Conception Regional School. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, hunting and fishing, golfing, beach combing, crabbing and other outdoor activities.
Leo is survived by his wife, Dorothy at the family home on Samish Island. His children, Valerie Sanders (James) of Burlington, Sarah Urbick of Everett, Elizabeth Urbick of Great Falls, MT, Charles Urbick (Patricia) of Mount Vernon, Rosemary Tesoro (Alex) of Mission Viejo, CA and Anne Watts of Fresno, CA. His step-children, Marilee Hakkinen (Dave) of Bellevue, WA, Linda Bluhm of Kennewick, WA, Corky Bluhm (Mary Lee) of Conway, Mark Bluhm of Mount Vernon and Tom Bluhm of Anacortes. One brother, Arnold Urbick of Libby, MT; 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leo was also preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Immaculate Conception Regional School, 1321 E. Division, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, St. Charles Catholic Church Building fund, 935 Peterson Road, Burlington, WA 98233 or to a veteran’s organization of your choice.
A Vigil will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM at St. Charles Catholic Church in Burlington with a Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 11:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 110 S. Fifth Street, Mount Vernon with Father Tom McMichael, Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Green Hills Cemetery in Burlington.
I cannot express how precious the Urbick family is – we love you all so much . Thank you for all the love, memories and gifts of life you shared in so many ways. We love you and will carry each and every one of you in our hearts forever !
PS i loved Uncle Leo so much that i named my pet after him .
All My love, Vera ( # 2 daughter of Clancy and Iona Adderley – Gee/Russ )
Dorthy, please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband leo, I will always remember the fishing trips leo would take with my family to canada back in the 80’s. He was quite the fisherman, funny man, his smiles jokes, and teasing will be missed.
From the Desk of 9941’s Deputy Grand Knight-Teddy (T.Jay) Hickox-Our Special Brother-Leo Urbick, Granted, Our meetings will continue as a Brotherhood in Christ. We will feel the Emptyness but also the Hopefulness that you represent us with Christ. In your Honor-I have put forth a special committee nomination to create a Departed Brother Memory Wall-You will be our First Knight to adorn our Wall-Keeping your spirit at All our meetings and henseforth I will collect the rest of our departed brothers to join you on the 9941 Wall of Honor. To Dorothy-Leo’s Beloved Lady-Rest assured that we will take care of you as it is an obligation and honor and also join in the comfort that Our Mother-Mary is sending you her comforting love at this moment on Leo’s Journey to Heaven. May the Peace of Jesus be always with you and your families. Sincerely and Lovingly-Teddy.
Our Dearest Dorothy and Family, We so dearly loved Leo-his BEAUTIFUL SMILE, His laughter and of course his Blessing and Love….In our Hearts he will live forever. We just learned of the passing of the Polish President and his family…what an odd event at this time. Leo will be there Welcoming them at the Gates of God. Love Patty, T.Jay and Christopher Hickox
Val, Sarah, Liz, Rosie, Annie, Charlie, my heart aches for your loss of your dear father, my prayers are with you forever. I will miss Uncle Leo very much; his laugh, his smile, his jokes, his teasing…….I never forget when we came to visit you on Avon Allen, and he asked me if I as adopted, I didn’t belong to this family with all the blonde haired kids and me being dark brown, but of course I was and I have many fond memories of our families together. He was the best! Dad loved him alot and I believe Dad got a lot of strength and courage from Leo over the years, it will be nice to know that now not only is Leo fishing again with Jack but he and Jack are once again watching the lefthander “Clancy” pitch/play baseball once again, it might not be on the Bellingham Bells team but the Angels and the Saints are great teams too! Hugs, prayers and all my love.
Viki
Dorothy, please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband, Leo. To Valerie, Sarah, Lily, Charlie, Rosy and Annie, my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine the sorrow you must be feeling now. While talking with Valerie and Sarah this morning, it’s funny how the joy of memories can also make one feel sad.
Uncle Leo left behind many good memories. Cousin Susan (Norman’s 5th child.)
I’ll forever remember ‘Uncle Leo’ for his humor, enthusiasm for life and the interest he took in our lives. He was a super uncle to us. I loved him and will miss him always. Y’all are on my heart with prayers for comfort at this time. Cousin Rita(Arnold’s #3 daughter)