Dr. Walter V. Vaitkus
1920 – 2009
Florida – Dr. Walter Vaitkus died on December 12, 2009 in his home in Juno Beach, Florida, having reached 89 years of age. Walter was born on April 5, 1920 in Donora, Pennsylvania. At the age of 2, his mother took him and his siblings to Lithuania where he grew up. In 1944, he escaped from the advancing Soviet front into Sweden and shortly after was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Germany as a Corporal in the US Army. There he met his future wife, Anna Savickaite, a Lithuanian refugee. After the army, Walter finished dental school in Basel, Switzerland with a DMD degree. However, this degree was not recognized in the US, so Walter finished another 3 years of study in dentistry at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a DDS degree.
He practiced general dentistry and implantology in Worcester, Massachusetts for over 30 years. He was a dedicated dentist to his patients. He was a member of the American Dental Association. After the break up of the Soviet Union, Walter taught implantology to dentists in the newly independent Lithuania. Following retirement from private practice, Walter lived in and enjoyed Juno Beach for the past 20 years with his wife. Walter was a devoted husband, supportive father and loving grandfather. His kindness, humor, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation of life will be missed by his family and friends. Walter is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Anna; his daughter, Dr. Onile Sestokas, son-in-law, Anthony K., grand-daughters Lina and husband, Steve Scroggins, Laura and Rima; son, Dr. Linas and wife Dr. Julie, grandsons Vytas, Linas and Kristijonas; son, Dr. Paul and wife Beverly. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Walter’s family from 9:00 to 10:00 am, Saturday December 19, 2009 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT, with a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:30 am in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam, CT. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Putnam. Memorial Donations may be made in his memory to Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, memo-Orphan Care, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam, CT, 06260-2503.
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