Rest in Peace, Stasys

The brotherly feeling of Lithuanians towards Lithuanians encouraged Melbourne Ramovė chairman Vladas Bosikis and Joana Valaitienė, who have a summer house on Phillip Island, to mark a lonely, disappearing grave of Lithuanian Stasys Sadauskas in the Cowes town cemetery.

Stasys Sadauskas died in 1985 at the age of 58. He was born on 26 February 1926. He left Lithuania when he was only eighteen years old.  He came from Tarpučiai, Marijampolė, Suvalkija and studied at the Marijampole gymnasium.  He arrived in Australia on the Charlton Sovereign on 29 October 1948.  Stasys had no relatives or relatives in Australia. He had no property or any savings. He was given a Christian burial by a local Catholic priest in Cowes. In earlier years, Stasys lived in Melbourne for some time.

Life sometimes seems insurmountably difficult for many. The road suddenly becomes dark and only storms seem to rage mercilessly around us. Some weather those storms, Stasys seems to have been unsuccessful. 

Melbourne Lithuanians collected donations one Sunday to fix this grave.  Vladas Bosikis organised two assistants, Jonas Valaitis and Vincas Savickas, and within a few days a solid cement border was made around the grave.  A beautiful metal cross in national style was made by Gustavas Narušis.  Gravel was placed over the grave and a simple sign made that reads; In memory of Stasys Sadauskas, died on 26 December 1986, aged 59. Rest in Peace. Lithuanian Community.

At the request of the Melbourne Lithuanians, the Lithuanian pastor priest Dr. Fr. Dauknys agreed to come to the town of Phillip Island, Cowes and on 17 June 1989 to consecrate the memorial.

Cowes Cemetery in an extremely beautiful location on a hill. It reminds one of old cemeteries in Lithuania. There are, of course, some large, beautiful marble monuments from the early 19th century and some family graves enclosed by metal fences.

 

MP 3.7.1989 Nr.26 ( 20991)