Vilimantas Stanislovas Vaitas
December 16, 1934 ~ September 7, 2019
Vilimantas Stanislovas Vaitas, age 84, of Fairfax, VA, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019 surrounded by his family.
Vil was a beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather who served with honor in the Navy both in active duty and as a civilian. He is survived by his wife Virginia, son Vilimantas (Janet) Vaitas Jr., and daughter V. Ruth (William) Russell. He was a proud grandfather to Amanda (Edward), Victoria (William), Stan (Justine), Timothy (Arielle), and Jeremy, and great-grandfather to Lillian, Annabelle, Liam and Logan.
Vil was born in Klaipeda, Lithuania and spent his early years with his parents and older brother Otonas in the cities of Skuodas and Siauliai. After fleeing persecution during the illegal Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1944, the family made their way to the United States in July 1949.
Upon completing his high school studies, Vil attended Tufts University where he earned a degree in civil engineering. After graduation he married Virginia and their son Vil Jr. was born in 1957, followed by their daughter Ruth in 1958. He earned his master’s degree in economics from Michigan State University in 1964.
Vil served in the Navy in active duty, reserve, and civilian roles for 27 years. His naval duties allowed him and his family to live in places such as Subic Bay in the Philippines and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as visit locations across Asia and the Pacific. The family returned to the U.S. and settled in Fairfax, VA in 1970 where Vil primarily worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Vil retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander in 1983. During his years of naval service he was awarded the National Defense Medal, two Armed Services Reserve Medals, two Naval Expeditionary Medals, and a Naval Unit Commendation ribbon.
Proud of his Lithuanian roots, after his retirement Vil continued to work as a consultant and strove to aid educational and political development in Lithuania. He and Virginia traveled all over the world to experience the cultures of other countries, and his most memorable experience was being a part of the mass celebration of humanity at the Brandenburg gate on the eve and day of Germany’s unification in 1990. His retirement also afforded him time to spend with his family and partake in his many hobbies, including history, photography, and genealogy, the last of which inspired him to author a book on his family’s history. He particularly enjoyed taking his family, especially his grandchildren, out on his boat “Virga II,” named after his wife. Additionally, many mornings were spent on the golf course, often with his daughter playing alongside him.
Vil will be remembered by his family for his fierce independence and strength. While he was the reason that political discussions were banned at family dinners by his wife, remembering his strong, unwavering commitment to his opinions is a continual source of comfort and amusement to his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Vitas Hospice Healthcare.
Vil was a beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather who served with honor in the Navy both in active duty and as a civilian. He is survived by his wife Virginia, son Vilimantas (Janet) Vaitas Jr., and daughter V. Ruth (William) Russell. He was a proud grandfather to Amanda (Edward), Victoria (William), Stan (Justine), Timothy (Arielle), and Jeremy, and great-grandfather to Lillian, Annabelle, Liam and Logan.
Vil was born in Klaipeda, Lithuania and spent his early years with his parents and older brother Otonas in the cities of Skuodas and Siauliai. After fleeing persecution during the illegal Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1944, the family made their way to the United States in July 1949.
Upon completing his high school studies, Vil attended Tufts University where he earned a degree in civil engineering. After graduation he married Virginia and their son Vil Jr. was born in 1957, followed by their daughter Ruth in 1958. He earned his master’s degree in economics from Michigan State University in 1964.
Vil served in the Navy in active duty, reserve, and civilian roles for 27 years. His naval duties allowed him and his family to live in places such as Subic Bay in the Philippines and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as visit locations across Asia and the Pacific. The family returned to the U.S. and settled in Fairfax, VA in 1970 where Vil primarily worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Vil retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander in 1983. During his years of naval service he was awarded the National Defense Medal, two Armed Services Reserve Medals, two Naval Expeditionary Medals, and a Naval Unit Commendation ribbon.
Proud of his Lithuanian roots, after his retirement Vil continued to work as a consultant and strove to aid educational and political development in Lithuania. He and Virginia traveled all over the world to experience the cultures of other countries, and his most memorable experience was being a part of the mass celebration of humanity at the Brandenburg gate on the eve and day of Germany’s unification in 1990. His retirement also afforded him time to spend with his family and partake in his many hobbies, including history, photography, and genealogy, the last of which inspired him to author a book on his family’s history. He particularly enjoyed taking his family, especially his grandchildren, out on his boat “Virga II,” named after his wife. Additionally, many mornings were spent on the golf course, often with his daughter playing alongside him.
Vil will be remembered by his family for his fierce independence and strength. While he was the reason that political discussions were banned at family dinners by his wife, remembering his strong, unwavering commitment to his opinions is a continual source of comfort and amusement to his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Vitas Hospice Healthcare.
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