G. John Velyvis, 82
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - G. John Velyvis, 82, of 104 Chenaille Terrace died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at his home.
Born in Vilkaviskis, Lithuania, on Dec. 8, 1931, son of Joseph and Anna Jurksaitis Velyvis, as a young child, he left Lithuania with his family after the Russian invasion. The family lived in Germany for about three years, until they settled in Toronto. He attended schools in Toronto and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later received his master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He moved to North Adams at age 32.
Mr. Velyvis was the owner and operator of G. Seal Enterprises Inc., a manufacturer of glass-to-metal seals, in the Windsor Mill until his retirement. He first worked for 17 years at the former Sprague Electric Co., where he was awarded a patent on how tantalum was bonded to glass. He then worked at Tansitor, now Vishay Tansitor, in Bennington, Vt., until starting G. Seal.
He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. He was a Boy Scout Leader with Troop 70 in Williamstown and an active member of the Northern Berkshire YMCA, where he taught boxing to many young people. He also coached youth soccer for many years.
He and his wife, the former Claire C. Allessio, were married on July 17, 1965.
Besides his wife, he leaves his daughter, Kristen Adele Velyvis and her husband, Thomas Zinnen, of Madison, Wisc.; two sons, Dr. John Henry Velyvis and his wife, Melissanne, of Novato, Calif., and Dr. Peter Henry Velyvis and his wife, Christine, of Wellesley; two sisters, Anna Vindasius of Danville, Calif., and Stephanie Fehn of Morristown, N.J.; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Velyvis, Zachary Velyvis, Ella Velyvis, Claire Zinnen, William Zinnen, Charles Velyvis, Jacob Velyvis and Leo Velyvis, and several nieces and nephews.
His brothers Algirdas Velyvis and Romas Velyvis are deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Velyvis will be Monday, Feb. 24, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Feb. 23, from 2 to 5 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Berkshire YMCA or the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home.