Erika E. (Haase) Maruca Urbon

Erika “Ricky” (Haase) Maruca Urbon, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2019.  She was born in Heinorsdorf-Grunberg, Schlesia Germany in 1926 to the late Bruno and Franziska Haase. At the age of 14 she began her apprenticeship in drafting at the Center of German Metal Works (an airplane manufacturer) in Efurt, Germany, receiving her journeyman draftsman license in 1945.  At the end of the war she moved to Frankfurt, Germany and was employed by the United States Army as a Clerk/Interpreter.  Erika then transferred to the Office of the Chief of Ordinance, Headquarters, European Command as an interpreter and statistical draftsman where she met and married her husband John A. Maruca.  She and her husband returned to the United States and resided in Springfield.  Erika worked as a Draftsman for many local engineering companies and did the design and detail work for many of the U.S. Governments small arms and weapons. The U.S. Government also granted her “Q” clearance to work with the atomic energy commission. Erika was also part owner of Tec-Windsor Engineering Company in Agawam with her second husband, Peter Urbon. She then turned her love for antiques and art into a new business, Heritage Gallery and traveled throughout New England doing antique shows. She was an avid gardener and animal lover, and adored her cat, Kitzell.  Erika is survived by her daughter, Karin Luce and a son, Baron Maruca and wife Michele; all of Holyoke; 6 grandchildren, Heather Luce Bacon and her husband Kenneth of Holyoke, Amy Luce Stocks and her husband Jeffrey of North Carolina, John Luce of North Carolina, Richard W. Luce III and wife Emerald of CA, Baron Maruca II and his wife Tiffany of Westfield, and Dr. Laurin Maruca Funk and her husband Dr. Jonathon Funk of CA; as well as 9 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son-in-law, Richard “Dick” Luce and a great-granddaughter, Kirsten Bacon.  Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 30, 2019 at noon in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence.  Calling hours will be held Friday prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, Massachusetts 01101.

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