Alexander R. 'Alec' Abcunas, 97, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill surrounded by the love of his family. The son of the late John and Rose (Palozie) Abcunas, he was born on May 21, 1923 in Windsor, Connecticut and was the widower of Wanda (Gys) Abcunas who died in 2006. Alec was pre-deceased by his nine siblings: brothers Peter, Julius, Stanley, James, John, and Joseph Abcunas, and his sisters Tess Hoy, Rose Quinn, and Dolly Ierardi. He and his siblings were raised in Lynn, Massachusetts and attended the local schools.
Alec joined the United States Navy in January 1943 and served on the USS Threat during World War II, helping support the Allied Invasion of Normandy in 1944. An active member of the V.F.W. Post 622, no one took more pride than him in serving his country as a Navy veteran. After leaving the military in 1945, Alec enjoyed a long career at General Electric in Lynn, MA as an assembler of turbine engines and as a part-time roofer with his brother-in-law, Joseph Gys.
His favorite seasons were summer and autumn, during which he would lounge in his backyard hammock before making near-daily visits to the Long Meadow Golf Club. An institution on the clubhouse patio, he would often sip a rum and coke with longtime friends while watching the golfers make their approach to the ninth green. Alec was always active and game for adventure; until recently, he did his own yard work and even went parasailing at the age of 94 with his beloved niece, Sharon Keefe.
He loved the music of the big band era and spent many wonderful times over the years dancing with his wife. A proud Lithuanian, he kept the D.L.K.V Lithuanian Club on Central Street going for many years until its closure a few years ago. He loved to putter in the kitchen, making his signature fried cabbage for all to enjoy. Alec will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, generous, compassionate, thoughtful, and always positive.
Alec is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Mancuso and her husband, John; his son, Robert Abcunas and his wife, Maryann; his grandchildren, Melanie McManmon and her husband, Jim, Ashley Stokes and her husband, Keegan, Alexander Mancuso and his wife, Samantha, Michael Abcunas and his wife, Leah, and Haley Mancuso. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Caelin and Maeve McManmon, Nolan Stokes, Jackson and Juliana Mancuso, and Ella Abcunas.
The family would like to express its sincere thanks to the private caregivers and to the staff of Merrimack Valley Hospice for their care and compassion during Alec’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, 735 Broadway Street Lowell, MA or to the Longmeadow Golf Club Scholarship Fund, 165 Havilah Street, Lowell, MA.
While practicing social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, you are invited to his calling hours on Monday, March 22, 2021 from 9-11 a.m. at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816.
His private funeral Mass will be held at 12 noon at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell followed by his burial at St. Mary Cemetery.