During his
service in the police force, Pranas married, although the couple did not have
children. When the Soviet Army advanced into Lithuania for the second time,
Pranas and his wife were forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in
Germany. There, he found employment at the Wolff arms factory.
In 1948,
Pranas arrived in Australia. After a short period in a migrant transit camp, he
was sent to Sydney to complete his two-year employment contract as part of the
post-war migrant labour program.
He worked in
the water supply department, where his duties included digging trenches for the
installation of sewerage pipes. After completing his contract, his dedication
and reliability were recognised, and he was offered a position in the
laboratory of the same organisation. He accepted and continued working there
until his retirement.
Pranas was
remembered as a devoted Lithuanian and a strong patriot. He had a particular
love for Lithuanian history and maintained a deep connection with his homeland.
Although he did not belong to formal organisations, partly because he preferred
to avoid organisational disagreements, he supported Lithuanian life in his own
quiet and practical way.
During the
construction of the Lithuanian Hall in Bankstown, Pranas willingly volunteered
his time and skills, helping with various building tasks. He took great pride
and happiness in seeing a permanent home being created for the Lithuanian
community in Sydney.
On 6 May
1983, Pranas Švarcas passed away suddenly at his home in Bankstown, on his 78th
birthday.
His funeral
Mass was held on 11 May at Lidcombe Church and was celebrated by Rev. P.
Butkus, with Fr. A. Savickas playing the organ. Following the service, family
members and friends accompanied Pranas to his final resting place at Rookwood
Cemetery.
May he rest
peacefully in Australian soil, far from the beloved homeland he carried in his
heart.
1983-05-30-MUSU-PASTOGE.pdf p.2
.tif)
No comments:
Post a Comment