Frank Urbanija

It is with a heavy heart we announce that on June 9^th, 2023 Frank Urbanija, 74, of Santee, South Carolina unexpectedly passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Frank was born on September 13, 1948 to Lovrence and Valentina Urbanija in Spittal, Austria.  The earliest years of Frank’s life were fraught with danger as his family fled from the violence of WWII and eventually came to the United States.  After growing up in Highland Heights, Ohio, Frank graduated from St. Joseph’s High School 1967 and went on to study Pre-Med at John Carroll University and Medical Technology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

After settling in Columbus, Ohio in 1985, he began a long and successful career at Ohio Health Hospital in the field of Information Technology administration.  After retirement in 2012, Frank and his wife Patty relocated to Santee, where they enjoyed several years of boating on Lake Marion, community involvement daily doggie social gatherings, avid golfing, and building a strong network of loving friendships.

Frank was very humorous with an infectious laugh that could get a whole room chuckling.  He loved to golf, work with his hands, and was always working on some project either in the home or in the yard.  Though he was a man of few words, Frank had a deepness to his soul and a very tender side that only a privileged few ever got to see.  He would never hesitate to help anyone who needed it, and often volunteered his time to improve his community or arrange social events.  Frank cherished his family above all things and loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.  Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and dear friend and he will be greatly missed and his memories forever treasured. 

Frank is survived by his beloved wife Patty Urbanija; siblings, Tina Gordan (Bill), Mary Rice, Linda Zienkowski, John Urbanija (Chris), and Larry Urbanija (Carol); his former wife, Carol Roth; children, Julie Raimondi (Nick) and Jessica Zamora (Ed); stepchildren, Mileah Ruby (Steve) and Vince Deere (Jessica); grandchildren, Alyssa, Ava, Addison, Allison, Alex, Daniel, Evan, and Austin; and his dog, Lucy.

Frank was predeceased by his parents; former wife, Debbie Urbanija; and a cousin, Father France.

A service will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, 10:30AM at St. Ann's Catholic Church.  The internment at the columbarium will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to St. Ann's Catholic Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803)496-3434.