Algie John (“Al”) Urbonas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, died peacefully at home in Peabody, MA, on November 28, 2023, after a third reoccurrence of cancer. He was 88.
Al was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, in 1935, the first of four children of Simas and Ona (Saulyte) Urbonas. Refugees of WWII, he and his family were housed in DP (displaced persons) camps for several years before emigrating in 1949 to Great Neck, NY, thanks to sponsorship by his uncle. Al thrived in the US, learning English, mathematics, and science quickly in school; playing college and semi-pro soccer on Long Island; and earning a degree in electrical technology from the State University of New York at Farmingdale. This led to a career as a senior engineer with Avco and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, including field work from Cape Canaveral to Kwajalein Island, detailed reentry research for Apollo missions, and optical and laser data analysis.
Devoted to his family, Al found tremendous joy at barbeques and holiday celebrations, sharing time-honored traditions with his children and grandchildren. He lived in the same home in Peabody, MA, since 1961, and had a wonderful rapport with many in the community. He was grateful to serve as a mentor and inspiration to others.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Joyce (Proctor) Urbonas, and their children Stacey (Benjamin) Resnikoff, David (Ann) Urbonas, and Michael Urbonas, all of Massachusetts; grandchildren Tatyana Resnikoff, Camilla Resnikoff, Cameron Urbonas, Sarah Urbonas, and Rachel Sullivan; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Cronin of Massachusetts. His sisters Regina Sennello and Diana Meade are predeceased.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Cancer Center at Mass General Hospital (MGH) https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/cancer-center where he received excellent, life-extending care.
Al will be honored at public Mass on Thursday, December 28 at nine a.m. at his place of worship, St. Agnes Parish in Middleton, MA. A private Celebration of Life memorial will be held at a later date.