Edmund J. Vaskas, 81, of 17 Shaffner St., a newspaperman for 45 years, died Monday, July 18, 2005, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife, Evelyn M. (Bender) Vaskas; his children, Peter Vaskas of Worcester, Mary Vaskas of Oakland, Calif., Paul Vaskas of Southboro, Martha Vaskas of Worcester, and Christine Stearns of Shrewsbury and their spouses and partners; five grandchildren; a brother, David Vaskas of Worcester, three nieces and many cousins. Another son, Ray Vaskas, predeceased him.
Born in Worcester, he was a son of Kasemir C. and Anna B. (Lola) Vaskas. Mr. Vaskas attended High School of Commerce, Worcester Academy, Northeastern University (Worc. Branch), and Clark University.
He became a staff member of The Evening Gazette in 1944, and covered most city beats as a reporter, including police dept. and district court. He also wrote numerous columns, including “History Was Made Here” and “Good Old Days” in the 1950’s and 60’s. His weekly column of the collecting of coins and stamps ran in the Gazette and later the Sunday Telegram from 1959 to 1989. It was one of the longest running such columns in the country. He also served as a copy editor for the Gazette from 1966 until his retirement in 1989. He wrote for and edited the newspaper’s house organ, the Gossiper, and contributed articles to the Sunday Telegram Feature Parade.
While in high school and college, Mr. Vaskas was heavily involved in organizing and acting in many dramatic stage productions. He participated in many team sports as a young man, and established himself as a regionally-ranked table tennis player, winning both singles- and doubles-competitions while representing the Gazette in league play in the 1950’s.
A Third Degree member of the Knights of Lithuania, he served in various executive office positions on both regional and national levels, including president of Council 116, and editor of that council’s newspaper, the Equestrian. He also wrote articles for national magazines about prominent Lithuanians.
He was a member of many numismatic organizations, and contributed articles to such national publications as Coin World and Numismatic News. In 1984, in recognition of his service to area collectors, he was awarded the first honorary lifetime membership of the Worcester County Numismatic Society.
He was a member of many other organizations during his lifetime, including Bay State Magic Club, International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Ramblers, Worcester Auxiliary Police Unit 1, Worcester Civil Defense Unit, and the Worcester Community Council.
He was a former member of Our Lady of Vilna, St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Bernard’s, and currently St. Joan of Arc parishes in Worcester.
Calling hours will be at Nordgren Memorial Chapel on Thursday 4 to 8 pm, with a funeral Mass on Friday 10:30 am at St. Joan of Arc Church. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605.