Jurgis "George" Daugirdas

Jurgis (George)
S. Daugirdas, a cherished husband, father, and grandfather, passed away
peacefully on October 14, 2025, at the age of 100. He lived a fulfilling life
alongside his beloved wife, Otilija Daugirdas, and leaves behind a legacy of
family, professional achievement, and love for his Lithuanian heritage.
Born on March 10, 1925, in
Lithuania, George grew up with his sister Irene in a vibrant seaside community
at the Port of Klaipeda. His father, Adomas Daugirdas, was a distinguished
captain in the Lithuanian Navy and later served as Harbor Master of Klaipeda,
Lithuania's primary shipping port. Adomas also founded the Lithuanian Naval
Captains School in Klaipeda. George's mother, Tekla, was a respected medical
doctor specializing in optometry, having graduated from the Lithuanian
University of Health Sciences in Kaunas. The family resided in a home that now
serves as the offices for the Harbor Master of the Port of Klaipeda.
After World War II, George
immigrated to Canada, where he earned a civil engineering degree from Queen's
University in Kingston, Ontario. In the early 1960s, he relocated to Chicago to
pursue career opportunities during the region's steel industry expansion.
George excelled in his field, rising to the position of Senior Vice President
at several engineering firms. It was in Chicago that he met Otilija, a fellow
accomplished civil engineer, and together they built a life rooted in shared
passions and professional dedication.
Beyond his career, George
cherished spending time with his family, particularly at the Indiana Dunes,
where he visited his sister Irene, who settled in Beverly Shores, Indiana. In
retirement, George and Otilija enjoyed summers at their lakeside cabin in northern
Wisconsin and winters along Chicago's Lakeshore, embracing the beauty of both
regions.
George was preceded in death by
his parents, Adomas and Tekla, and his son, George Jr. He is survived by his
devoted wife, Otilija; his children, Laura Juskus and Marius Daugirdas; his
grandson, Raymond Juskus; and his nephews, Andy Nekus and John Nekus.