John Christopher Urbas, 94, passed 31-Aug -2026, in Salaberry–de - Valleyfield, QC

He’s reunited with his wife of more than 6 decades, Louise Mary Hackett Urbas (predec.2024).

He leaves behind his 4 children and their families: Cat (Raj Mohabir, Gracyna, Ariane); Urbas, Kevin (fmr. Lurinda Rinehart, Kade) Urbas; Dan (Jeremy, Max, David) Urbas; & Elaine Urbas. John will be missed by his younger siblings, Tony Urbas and Sophia (Urbas) Clark.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Anton Urbas & Katherine (Cencora) Urbas, as well as his in-laws: Lillian (Marcel Montminy) Hackett, Charles Hackett, Irene (Gilles Simard) Hackett, and John Hackett. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Denyse Poitras, plus nieces and nephews of both the Montminy, Simard & Hackett families.

John was born on the 21st of May 1932 to Katherine (Cencora) Urbas and Anton Urbas in Kapuscasing, Ontario. Raised in an immigrant family blending Polish & Slovenian heritages. Learned English at school & French in his neighbourhood. He left “Kap” for University of Toronto, graduating in 1954 as a Chemical Engineer.

Met a dazzling Louise Hackett of Québec City, wed in 1958, started their family, & then a life together spanning 65 years.

He worked for Midland Ross in Québec & New Jersey, Anglo Canadian in the mid 1950’s to early 1970s. Thereafter, was a co-founder of Thermetrics Ltd – optimizing thermal use of energy – where he concluded his consulting career in the 1990s. Over the decades he served as a regular speaker at CPPA conferences, published technical papers, was a key contributor on industry patents and invited as a visiting Engineering lecturer (Rutgers).

Outside of career, John remained a keen lifelong reader; a staunch soccer game dad & swim meet parent; a hopeless fan of the Habs, Als, Jays, & Expos; a hands-on woodworking whiz as a homeowner; plus, a late sailor and skipper of 2 sailboats i.e. the Bee’s Knee & Texas Tea. The latter interest he shared with his ‘first mate’, Louise, and of course her extended Québec family, Jack Kane Sr, Charlie & John.

Last port of call, John Urbas, may you now rest in quiet peace. Think of you still even though you are gone.

His earlier cremation service was private. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be scheduled later in The West Island of Montreal, Quebec.