Julijonas (Julius) Spakevicius, 85, of Westwood, MA passed away on December 14, 2016 after a long illness.
Julius was born in Kaunas, Lithuania on June 20, 1931. He was the son of the late Julijonas and Bronislava Spakevicius, the youngest of their four children. Julius had three older sisters, who all predeceased him: Grazina Zukauskas, Regina Grubliauskas and Danute Svirsky. He attended Kaunas VIII high school. As the Soviets approached in 1944, Julius’ family fled Lithuania and spent four years living in southern Bavaria, in Kempten, Germany. There he attended a Lithuanian high school. In 1949, Julius’ family received asylum in the United States, settling in Brockton, MA. Julius joined the US Air Force and served from 1954 to 1957, becoming the first US citizen in the family. Following his service, Julius enrolled in Boston University, graduating with a degree in fine arts. He and his friends, Vladas and Vytas Eikinas, along with Algirdas Keblinskas, formed a band “Keturi studentai” (“The Four Students”), with Julius on guitar, performing at weddings and dances. Julius then started his career in graphic design, working at several ad agencies. In 1958, he married Renata Pakstys, with whom he raised three daughters, Danguole, Brigita and Vita. In 1966, Julius founded Eurografica, a graphic design firm in Copley Square, where he worked until his retirement. Julius was an active member and past president of the Lithuanian-American Community of Boston. He began scouting in Germany and was an active member of the Lithuanian Scout Association. He was a lector at St. George’s Lithuanian Church in Norwood, and subsequently at St. Peter’s Lithuanian Church. Julius contributed his artistic talent to many Lithuanian organizations.
Julius is survived by his loving wife Renata of 58 years, Danguole and William Altman, and their children Darius, Indre, Ilona and Isabella, Brigita and Thomas Rasys, and their daughters Sofia and Alisa, and Vita and Edward Austras, and their daughters, Elena and Krista.
Visiting hours will be on December 19, at the Casper Funeral Home 187 Dorchester Street South Boston from 4-8pm. A Catholic Mass will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at St Peter’s Catholic Church 75 Flaherty Way, South Boston, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lithuanian Foundation, Inc. http://www.lithuanianfoundation.org/memorial-contributions/ and the Lithuanian Scout Association (c/o Romas Jakubauskas, 14 Nancy Drive, Auburn, MA 01501).