Donald Urban

Donald Clifford “Sawdust” Urban, died April 2, 2002. He was 79. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 18, 1922. Mr. Urban was owner of Wholesale Lumber Services of Mount Joy, PA from 1969-1990 and had been a resident of Chestertown, MD since 1988. He graduated from the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse in 1945. Mr. Urban worked in the retail lumber sales in Beverly, MA until moving to Lancaster, PA in 1954. He also worked as a traveling regional salesman for Dutton Lumber Company. Don was widely regarded as a fine salesman with a great appreciation for his customers, many who became his lifelong friends. Annually he produced, with the help of his family, batch of fruitcake to be distributed to his business associates and customers at Christmas. In 1965 he joined Lumberman’s Associates until he co-founded Wholesale Lumber Services in Mount Joy, Pa. in 1968, specializing in supplying custom mixed lumber lots to retail suppliers and developers, He was very successful through the difficult market conditions of the late 1980’s. Don was married to Sara Brim Urban in 1943. They retired together to Chestertown, MD. After Sara’s death he was remarried to Melva Lee of Churchton, MD spending his remaining years in their home on the Bay. Don loved the water and anything thing he could do on it. He owned two fleets of small boats, and several pleasure crafts to frequently sail, crab, and fish. Don is survived by his wife, Melva Lee Urban; his daughter, Sally Silberberg of Brooklyn, New York; sons, Jim Urban of Annapolis, MD, Jack Urban of Atlanta, GA and Mark Urban of Portland OR; seven grandchildren, one great grandchild and three step children, Tricia Duley of Frederick, MD, John Lohman of Shadeyside, MD and Mike Lohman of Waldorf, MD. Don was a member of the Masonic order and Chestertown Baptist Church. Don’s greatest love was his family and friends,often indistinguishable from family, and was one to never give up on a friendship. A memorial service will be scheduled in May. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Chestertown Christian Acadamy, 401 Morgnec Road, Chestertown, MD 21620. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.