Victor Kogelis, Sr.

Victor Kogelis, 89, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of the late Virginia (Sarafin) Kogelis. He was born August 19, 1927 in Raseiniai, Lithuania to Leonas and Sofia (Sukevicious) Kogelis. Victor immigrated to the U.S. during World War II, first stowing away on an American carrier with help from American soldiers, then sponsored legally by a Minnesota family, eventually working his way to CT and settling in Waterbury, where he lived for 6 decades. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, worked first for Guida's Dairy in Watertown, then as a manager of various McDonald's Restaurants for Trefz Corporation for many years. He received many awards working for McDonald's, one of his greatest was being awarded Best McDonald's Manager in the Region from Trefz Corporation. He was also a member of the Hartford Lithuania Club and was a past president. Victor is survived by his sons, Kristopher Kogelis, Robert Kogelis and wife, Susan, all of Waterbury and Victor Kogelis, Jr. of FL; his twin sister, Janina Nawarskas and her fiancée, Charles D'Angelo, of Wolcott; his grandchildren Sabrina Kogelis Innes and husband, Tom of Waterbury and Aaron Kogelis and wife Ashley of Middletown; 3 great-grandchildren, Krystalyn Lafo, Tommy Innes, and Jayden Kogelis; 2 nieces, Jeanne Parker and husband Rick of Maine, and Jacqueline Fusco and husband Frank of East Hartford; and a great-nephew and great-niece. He was predeceased by brother Edward Kogelis, mother in law Julia Sarafin, sister-in-law Helen Sarafin, brother-in-law Joseph Nawarskas, granddaughter Amber Kogelis, and nephew Joey Nawarskas. The Funeral will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Road, Prospect. Burial with full Military Honors will be at All Saints Cemetery, 203 Spring Lake Road, Waterbury. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.