Benjamin Urban

Benjamin Urban was born on April 18, 1999, 8 weeks early. He was a fighter from the start. He passed on December 6/7, 2020 at 21 years of age.

Ben is survived by his mother, Gina Griffin; his father, Mike Urban (Kelly); his sisters, Krista Formes and Amanda Urban; niece Juliet Formes; his grandmother, Joanne Urban; uncles Frank Griffin, Ed Urban and Jake Urban (Michelle); aunts Floy Griffin-Bertsche and Jessica Urban, cousins Sarah Williams, Kyle Threadgill, Scotie Bertsche, Dawnelle Clark, Damon Schumacher, Jacob Urban and Jerri Lee Urban. The list of Ben’s very special friends and coworkers is extremely long, and he is missed by all of us.

He is predeceased by his grandfather, Jerry Urban; grandmother, Genie Creech; and his cousin Ryan Griffin, with whom he was very close.

Ben loved his job at Lowe’s in Cotati, CA, meeting several good friends and roommates there. He also enjoyed his music and gardening (especially cactus!), tarantulas, riding his BMX bike, XBOX, “artistic” graffiti, among other interests. He was very creative and inquisitive. If he needed something he couldn’t find or buy, he would make it or build it himself.

While no formal services are planned, there will be a gathering of family and friends, coworkers, roommates, and anyone else who cared about Ben, as soon as we are allowed to get together to talk, laugh and cry, and release some balloons to the heavens in his memory and honor. Information will be sent out when plans can be made.

If you are so moved, please consider a donation in Ben’s memory to March of Dimes in support of premature babies, or GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing), in support of families left grieving in the wake of a drug overdose death.