Keciorius, Kazys

Kazys Keciorius, 89, passed away on December 21, 2006 at Heritage Hall in Blacksburg, Va.

He was born on February 10, 1917 in Lithuania, where he trained as a professional musician and played with the Lithuanian Army Marching Band. When Lithuania was taken over by the Soviets, he escaped and was captured by the German Army. He fled once again and joined the U.S. Army.

He met and married his wife Anna in 1947 while living in a displaced persons camp in Geislingen, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1951 where he resided in Lockport, N.Y., worked and retired from General Motors, and played clarinet with the Lockport Community Band and Tonawanda American Legion Band. One of his proudest moments was when he became an American citizen in 1957.

He moved to Blacksburg, Va. in 1995 to be close to his children and during his retirement enjoyed swimming, walking and playing with the Blacksburg Community Band. He is survived by his beloved wife Anna, his cherished children Louis Koel of Christiansburg, and Peter Keciorius and Vicki Hauser of Blacksburg. He also left behind loving daughters-in-law, Wendy Koel and Linda Keciorius; son-in-law, Craig Hauser; grandchildren, Katie Keciorius of Blacksburg, Va., Tiia Strong, her husband Kevin and son Koel, of Savannah, Ga., Tania Camper, her husband Brian and daughters Karis and Kayden of Christiansburg, Va., and Treg Koel, his wife Gina and another great-grandchild to be born in March, of Atlanta, Ga.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the service at 403 Eastview Terrace in Blacksburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you to love and honor the living, especially your family and friends, work to mend broken and strained relationships and to remember the lonely and sick with visits and companionship. Joy to the world!