Vladas V. Strimavicius, 84, of Ridgefield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2019 while surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Rosemary (Craig) Strimavicius.
Mr. Strimavicius was born in Vilkaviskis, Lithuania on November 17, 1934; a son of the late Juozas and Albina (Krulikas) Strimavicius. At the beginning of WWII, he was a boy at the age of 7 when he and his family were forced to leave their home in Lithuania and were relocated to the displaced persons camps in Germany until he was 14. During that time, he learned to speak several languages while living with people from all over Eastern Euprope. Vladas immigrated to the United States in 1949 through Boston, MA. He and his family settled in Stamford, CT where he attended the Catholic High School and then went on to attend the University of Connected and University of Bridgeport to study architecture. As a young man he worked in construction by day and was a dance instructor at Arthur Murry Dance School by night to pay for college. His dance cards were always full, with a waiting line for cancelations.
In 1959 Vladas met his true love and forever dance partner Rosemary Craig at a Christmas party in Darien, CT. They were married on July 27, 1963 and lived in Stamford until buying their first home in Ridgefield, CT.
A resident of Ridgefield since 1966; Mr. Strimavicius was a retired Architect who began his career studying under the late Landis Gores and then went on to work many years with The van Summern Group and Perkins Eastman Architects where he worked on many residential and commercial projects near and far. He and his wife loved to travel around the world on many adventures. He was a member or the local AARP and OWLS Club where he and Rosemary enjoyed attending the events, luncheons and sponsored trips. He was an avid tennis and soccer player as well as a being a great dancer and will be long remembered as a hardworking and generous man. Above all of his accomplishments, his family were, as he called them, “The Jewels in His Crown”. Mr. Strimavicius was a long time member of St. Mary’s Church of Ridgefield.
Mr. Strimavicius is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rosemary and their children: Jura Owczarzak and her husband, Lawrence of Ridgefield, CT; Tomas Strimavicius and his wife, Laurie of New Milford, CT; and Lina Balcom and her husband, Todd of Milton, VT. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Mary Catherine, Evgenia Monika, Lawrence Pascal, Emma Jill and Sarah Jane and his nieces Daina Penikas, Sigita Penikas and Vida Penikas. He was predeceased by his sister Danute Penikas.
Friends will be received on Monday, October 14, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Prospector Theater.
“You’re a good man Charlie Brown”
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