Victor Efremenkov

Victor Efremenkov, 63, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away April 3, 2026.

Victor was born in a small village in Belarus next to the beautiful Neman river. From early childhood, he was fascinated by fishing and being around the water. He went to school in Liepaja, Latvia, eventually becoming a merchant marine.

After finishing school in Liepaja, he got married to Marite and started a family in Riga, while working as a first shipmate in Ventspils on fishing vessels. After a few years, he enrolled in a Masters program in Kaliningrad, earning a degree in Merchant Marine Engineering with Honors. Being a merchant marine allowed him to pursue his dreams of traveling the world; he worked in countries such as Angola, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, the Canary Islands and Spain.

Victor was a bold dreamer but communism limited those dreams for many years. Eventually, with Perestroika followed by the Fall of the Iron Curtain, he left Latvia and pursued his "American Dream." In 1991, at the age of 28, Victor arrived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY with $100 in his pocket and the name of a distant relative. The following year, he was joined by his wife and his two daughters, Laima and Lina.

Victor was determined to build a better future for himself and his family. Not only was he a dreamer but he was a courageous risk-taker. Through grit, vision, and an unwavering work ethic, he built a successful career as an entrepreneur in real estate - truly achieving the American dream. He had an instinct and talent for transforming homes. As a young child, Victor's father built their home and this drove Victor's love and passion for real estate. He could see a home's overlooked potential and had a keen eye for opportunity. On his way to his success, he had the good fortune of meeting many people who helped him rise to his potential and accomplish the many pursuits he had dreamt about. He was also known for his generosity and willingness to help others, and he was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Victor carried with him a deep appreciation for nature, hard work, and education. He loved to read and made sure his daughters traveled and grew up with a collection of encyclopedias (way before the internet came out). He made it a point to enjoy his life, not waiting until retirement to travel or eat well. He especially loved seafood and Italian food. Even though he was a foodie, Victor was self-sufficient and could catch, clean and cook his own fish.

He found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life - fishing, traveling, being near the water, and spending time in nature. Whether by the ocean, at a campsite, or working with his hands, Victor felt most at peace outdoors. He created traditions and memories with all of his daughters including his third-born, Julie, and then planned to do the same with his grandchildren in the future - traveling, kayaking, camping, and planning trips to his new retirement home in the "country." He wanted to build traditions and have them continue for generations to come.

Victor was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his three daughters, Laima Wright, Lina Efremenkova, and Julie Efremenkova; son-in-law, David Wright; brother, Alexander Efremenkov; and beloved grandchildren, Callie Wright (5), Grace Wright (3), and Pax Wright (2 months). He was predeceased by his mother, Maria Zhamoida; father, Neil Efremenkov; and sister, Anna Plotnikova.

Victor, the never-ending dreamer, will be remembered for his strength, kindness, generosity, curiosity and his enduring love for his family and friends. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and all those whom he cherished so deeply.