1937
Valdis
2022
Valdis Apinis
March 6, 1937 — October 10, 2022
Valdis Apinis Obituary
Valdis Apinis, 85, of Storrs, the husband of Dzidra (Mazjanis) Apinis, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022.
Valdis was born in Sigulda, Latvia, the son of the late Augusts and Marta (Gravelsins) Apinis.
At the age of 7, his family was uprooted as the Russian Army were advancing during WWII. To seek safety, the family headed to the seaport of Liepaja on the Baltic Sea, boarded a troop carrier, which brought them along with other refugees to the safety of Germany. In 1949, with a sponsorship from the USA, the family arrived in Vermont, relocating to Maryland and eventually to Willimantic, CT, where in the 5th grade he met the love of his life, Dzidra.
Valdis graduated from UConn with a degree in Business Administration then worked for Aetna. Valdis and Dzidra married in 1960, settled in Vernon where they raised their four children spending many family summers enjoying Popham beach. After 36 years at Aetna, he retired and enjoyed winters in Florida in addition to summers in Maine. His happiest times were spent with family, friends, and the Latvian community. Valdis was an avid sports fan especially following the Olympics and UConn women’s basketball.
He was predeceased by his two brothers, John and Charlie Apinis.
In addition to his wife, Dzidra, he is survived by his children, Andrew (Donna) Apinis, Laura Apinis (Susan Ewart), Ronald (Robin) Apinis, and John (Wendy) Apinis; nephews Erik (Jennifer) Apahnis, Bryan (Kathryn) Apinis; niece Marta (Adam) Meyers; sister-in-law Kathleen Apinis; cousin Talis Libants; grandchildren Heather, Jason, Evan, Dylan Savio, Brody, Caden, Reese; and great grandchild Aurora Rodegher.
Valdis’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, October 17, 2022, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, with his funeral service beginning at noon. Burial to follow at the New Willimantic Cemetery, Willimantic. In lieu of flowers, please support a charity of your choice.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Valdis Apinis, please visit our floral store.
Read More
Valdis Apinis, 85, of Storrs, the husband of Dzidra (Mazjanis) Apinis, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022.
Valdis was born in Sigulda, Latvia, the son of the late Augusts and Marta (Gravelsins) Apinis.
At the age of 7, his family was uprooted as the Russian Army were advancing during WWII. To seek safety, the family headed to the seaport of Liepaja on the Baltic Sea, boarded a troop carrier, which brought them along with other refugees to the safety of Germany. In 1949, with a sponsorship from the USA, the family arrived in Vermont, relocating to Maryland and eventually to Willimantic, CT, where in the 5th grade he met the love of his life, Dzidra.
Valdis graduated from UConn with a degree in Business Administration then worked for Aetna. Valdis and Dzidra married in 1960, settled in Vernon where they raised their four children spending many family summers enjoying Popham beach. After 36 years at Aetna, he retired and enjoyed winters in Florida in addition to summers in Maine. His happiest times were spent with family, friends, and the Latvian community. Valdis was an avid sports fan especially following the Olympics and UConn women’s basketball.
He was predeceased by his two brothers, John and Charlie Apinis.
In addition to his wife, Dzidra, he is survived by his children, Andrew (Donna) Apinis, Laura Apinis (Susan Ewart), Ronald (Robin) Apinis, and John (Wendy) Apinis; nephews Erik (Jennifer) Apahnis, Bryan (Kathryn) Apinis; niece Marta (Adam) Meyers; sister-in-law Kathleen Apinis; cousin Talis Libants; grandchildren Heather, Jason, Evan, Dylan Savio, Brody, Caden, Reese; and great grandchild Aurora Rodegher.
Valdis’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, October 17, 2022, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, with his funeral service beginning at noon. Burial to follow at the New Willimantic Cemetery, Willimantic. In lieu of flowers, please support a charity of your choice.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Valdis Apinis, please visit our floral store.
Read More
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Valdis Apinis, please visit our flower store.
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