Gintautas Rapsys

Gintautas Rapsys, 55, of Pike Lake, died in a car accident on Thursday evening, May 15, 2003. Gint was born on Oct.23, 1947 to Joseph Rapsys and Constance Brazys. During World War II, his father, a high ranking Lithuanian military official, moved the family into hiding in Germany where Gint was born. When Gint was a year old, they immigrated to the Marquette Park area of Chicago, and that is where Gint was raised. After High School, Gint entered the U.S. Air Force and served for four years, stationed in Okinawa, the Philippines and Abilene, TX. It was in Abilene that he met his future wife who was there visiting her sister. 'Love at first sight' resulted in marriage after 3 months of a long distance romance. They lived most of their married life in Duluth at their home on Pike Lake. Gint attended UMD, UWS, worked for the U.S. Post Office, Lake Superior Paper, and for the past seven years has been owner/operator of the family business,The Blue Max Resort/Restaurant on Fish Lake. Gint served with the 148th Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth, fulfilling 20 years of military service. A Master of trivia, Gint was a movie buff with expertise above all others, an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, and an expert crossword puzzle worker. Gint was a unique individual of infinite wisdom, character, and heart. He was a great teacher, and he had the ability to make anyone's day bright. Everyone who was fortunate to know Gint will agree that he was one-of-a-kind. He was Gint! He touched many people during his lifetime and will never be forgotten. He is survived by his wife and soul-mate of 33 years, Lorna; his loving sons Ryan and Robin of Duluth; brothers Rimvydus and Vidmantas of Chicago; sister-in-laws Diane (Carl) Hargett of Las Vegas, Nev. and Marilyn (Dennis) Stebner of Punta Gorda, Fla.; niece and nephews Greg Stebner and Corey Stebner of Duluth, Terry Stebner of Waconia, Minn., and Vid Jr., Ryan, Aldis, Tony Rapsys and Ramona Toner of Chicago, Kit Kolman and Kay McDonald of Las Vegas, Nev. Gint will be missed by all. SERVICES: For all those who would like to join his family and friends during this grievous time, Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday in Bell Brothers Chapel and from 9:30 until the 10:30 Funeral Mass Wednesday in St. Raphael's Catholic Church of Pike Lake. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors. A reception will follow at the Blue Max Resort/ Restaurant. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services, Bell Brothers Chapel. 601 N. 56th Ave. W.