Paul Anthony Urzi Sr.

Paul Anthony Urzi Sr., age 84, of Holts Summit, Mo., passed away Friday, January 7, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital. Paul was born on January 17, 1937, to Alfio (Fred) and Carmelina (Millie) Urzi on The Hill in St. Louis, Mo. The Sicilian immigrant family spoke primarily Sicilian at home, and Paul only began to speak English when he went to school. He attended St. Ambrose Catholic School in St. Louis, was an altar boy there from the fourth grade until his teen years and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 212. Paul graduated from McBride High School in St. Louis in 1955, and became active in communications and radio maintenance in squadron 1 of the Civil Air Patrol in St. Louis. Paul joined the 131st Tactical control Squadron of the Air National Guard right out of high school, where he was further trained in electronics, and immersed himself in electronic sciences at Rankin Technical School, Florissant Valley College, and later at McDonnell Aircraft. He also took countless electronics and radio/TV repair correspondence courses. His interest in electronics led to his qualifying as a ham radio operator, first licensed in 1958 as K°SRQ and later gaining his extra class license K°PL, which required being proficient at transmitting and receiving Morse code and passing an extensive electronic theory exam. Paul continued to use some of his original radio equipment (now antique) and keeps all of his equipment in fine repair. Beginning about age eight, Paul helped his father in the family business, Urzi's Blue Ridge Market on The Hill in St. Louis, where he was not allowed to check out customers until he was able to calculate in his head how much, for example, four pounds of cherries came to at 30 cents a pound. A customer's purchases were listed on the paper bag they would take home, then added up without the use of any electronic device. At home, he incurred his father's wrath more than once for permanently disassembling the family's alarm clock. He built several gas-propelled model airplanes; his own version of a motor bike by adding a motor to his bicycle (about which a dispute ensued with a policeman on The Hill as to whether it needed a license); and a 14-foot outboard motor boat. Though it was traditional in Italian family businesses for sons to follow in their fathers' footsteps, Paul's interest in electronics beckoned and he established Urzi's Radio and TV Service. Early radios and TVs were expensive items and frugal Italian families who had invested in such luxuries wanted to keep them going as long as possible. His immersion in electronics led to his being selected to work in the space program and McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell-Douglas and still later Boeing Aircraft). He worked with pilots and astronauts training to pilot newly developed jets and spacecraft, and helped develop the simulators used for training. He worked on the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft projects and later the F-4, F-15, and AV-8 jet plane electronic instrument and simulator training devices. He loved his work, finally retiring (after 42 years) at age 67. In addition to his full-time job, in 1985 Paul became a licensed Realtor and worked part time for many years, first with Century 21 and later Gundaker Real Estate, working in the St. Louis and Warrenton area. Paul was married in July 1960 to Norma Gail Comfort, and the couple had four children. The marriage lasted 25 years. After being alone for some time, Paul met Janet Walz in September 1997. In May 1999, the two married at St. Peter Church in Jefferson City by then Father Donald Lammers. For the first five years of their marriage, Paul still worked at Boeing Aircraft in St. Louis. During the work week, Paul stayed at his farm in Warrenton and came home to Janet on weekends - the perfect marriage. Paul was a member of the St. Louis Chapter of UNICO National, the largest Italian-American organization in the United States. He served two years as president and many years on the Board of Directors. UNICO is a charitable non-profit organization which supports MS research and Our Little Haven children's home and academy in the St. Louis area and other benevolent organizations throughout the United States. Paul loved flying and got his pilot's license in 1972. He was a member of Airplane Owners and Pilots Association. Through the years he owned several motorized two-wheelers, including Vespa, Cushman, Kawasaki, Motoguzzi, BMW, Goldwing, and Victory. He belonged to the Gold Wing Road Riders Association in Jefferson City. Paul also belonged to Mid-Mo Amateur Radio Club, Sportsmen Club, Let's Dance Club, and Cole County Sheriff's Posse. Paul was a member of St. Peter Church in Jefferson City, where he served as communion minister, usher, and helped with funeral dinners. He belonged to Knights of Columbus Helias Council 1054, became a Fourth Degree Knight in 2013, and was a member of the Honor Guard. He assisted the Knights with Lenten season fish fries and other fund-raising activities. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Janet Walz; his four children, Paul Anthony "Tony" Urzi Jr. (wife Debbie), Laurie Duda (husband Tony), Timothy Urzi and Christopher Urzi (wife Amy), all of the St. Louis area; one brother, Salvatore Urzi (wife Sharon) of El Mirage, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; eight-great-grandchildren; six step-children, Paul Walz (wife Marlee), Dian Burkett (husband Ron), Ted Walz (wife Cheri), Holly Oberkrom (husband Gary), Matt Walz (wife Melissa), Joe Walz (wife Ellen) and Jeff's wife, Vicki Walz; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Urzi; grandson, Coleman Urzi; one step-son, Jeff Walz; and a great-grandson, Emerson Glose. Visitation will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022. His family has requested anyone in attendance to please wear a personal protective mask. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Reverend Jeremy Secrist officiating. Graveside services and entombment will be held at the Mausoleum of Resurrection Cemetery. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter Interparish School, 314 W. High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or Helias Catholic High School, 1305 Swifts Highway, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com