Obituary of Zenonas Merkevicius

Zenonas Merkevicius (“Mr. Merkus”), 97 of East Haven passed away September 28, 2013 at CT Hospice. He was born December 22, 1915 in Lithuania to Antanas and Agota (Klimaite) Merkevicius. Zenonas is preceded in death by parents and wife, Monika (Savickaite). He was the last surviving Merkevicius of eleven children. Zenonas is survived by two daughters: Gita Kupcinskas (Aidas B.) of Walpole, MA, Diana Cappello (Richard) of Milford, CT; three grandchildren: Dainora Kupcinskas, Maxwell Walzer (Regina), Aidas Z. Kupcinskas (Caitlin); and three great-grandchildren: Liepa Ivanauskas, Emmanuel Walzer, Darius Kupcinskas. Educated in Vilkaviskis, Zenonas was serving in the Lithuanian armed forces when WWII began. He escaped the second Soviet invasion of Lithuania by fleeing his homeland to a displaced persons’ camp in Hanau, Germany, where he met and married Monika Savickaite. With his wife and mother-in-law he came to America in 1949 and settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY, before moving to CT. Being a skilled carpenter, he worked in construction before taking the position of resident caretaker at the former St. Mary’s High School in New Haven. During his 30+ years of service he used his skills to build the altar and chapel at the school and convent, in addition to many other projects. Zenonas was an active member of the Lithuanian American Community in New Haven. He was a lector at the former St. Casimir’s Parish on Wooster Square. He held various leadership positions in a number of Lithuanian organizations. During his lifetime Zenonas enjoyed chess, reading, gardening, poetry, and Lithuanian folk music. In his later years he loved to sing scores of Lithuanian songs from his youth. Mostly, he loved being with family and friends. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Adelina, his devoted care-giver, as well as the caring staff at CT Hospice. Family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until 10:15 AM at the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, on Wednesday October 2, 2013. Funeral procession will leave Clancy Funeral Home at 10:15 for a 10:30 Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent de Paul Church, East Haven. Burial at 3:00 PM in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Putman, CT. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam, CT 06260 in memory of Zenonas Merkevicius.