Holden – “Chuck” Sarafinas passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 8, in the UMass Memorial Hospital Cardiology Section. Last July his kidneys failed and he went on dialysis at DaVita in Worcester where he made many new friends. Two weeks ago he went to the hospital thinking he had pneumonia and it was discovered he had a heart problem. We wish to thank the Cardiology Department for their efforts.
He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Anthony Sarafinas and Christine Sarafinas Neske. He was raised and educated in Worcester. After graduating from Worcester Boys Trade School, he enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard since World War II was still in progress. He spent most of his term in the North Atlantic. Upon discharge, he returned to school and graduated from Worcester Junior College and then went on to Northeastern University where he received a BS in Engineering – Tool Design. He worked at the Norton Company in the Machine Tool Division and then went on to Raytheon where he worked in several plants until he retired. He was involved in their guided missile systems, such as the Patriot.
Upon retiring, he took up wood carving at the Wooden Apple in Auburn. His specialty was carving plaques, wreaths, birds and various miscellaneous items. He liked the challenge of starting with a block of wood and making it come alive.
Chuck belonged to the Knights of Lithuania, Council 26, and was a 4th Degree Member. He also was a member of Maironis Park Shrewsbury and the Lithuanian Naturalization Club. When there was special Lithuanian Mass at St. John’s Church in Worcester, he would help distribute flyers and help were he could. Chuck was proud of his Lithuanian heritage and believed the culture should be retained. He was active in the Retired Men’s Club of Greendale and participated in their bowling league and attended their different functions and went on many trips with the group. He liked diversity and belonged to the Huguenots Memorial Society of Oxford, Massachusetts and the New England Lily Society.
Initially, he belonged to Our Lady of Vilna Church, then the former St. Casimir’s Church and finally St. George’s Church where he has been a member for over 30 years. Every Monday, for the past 14 years, at the St. George’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel, you would see him there from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Chuck was given the James K. O’Connor Award for his many years of dedication to the St. George’s Men’s Club Coffee Shop.
In summer, he looked forward to vacationing at the Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunkport, Maine and attending various International Festivals. Many Sundays were spent with family at gatherings in Oxford picnicking and fishing. He enjoyed the Boston Red Sox and would try to get to an occasional game.
Surviving members of his family are his loving wife, Ruth Patinskas Sarafinas. In May, they would have celebrated 64 years of marriage. He leaves his sister-in-law, Gertrude Klaucke Patinskas of Windham, N. H. (who just lost her husband, John Patinskas, in January). A nephew, John Patinskas and his wife, Marilyn, and their two sons, Jason and Brian of Hudson N.H. and a niece, Ann Truett and her husband, John William Truett and their son, Brendan, of Harvard, Mass. And, his very close cousins, Linda Frutkin and her husband, Steven, and their son, Jack, from Bridgewater, and John Lescinskas and his wife, Susan, and their children – Christopher, Emily, Theresa, and Samantha of West Bridgewater. Plus many other wonderful cousins.
Friends and relatives were invited to calling hours on Tuesday, April 18, from 5:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dirsa-Morin Funeral Home at 298 Grafton Street, Worcester. The Knights of Lithuania, Council 26, gathered at 6:00 pm, April 18, to perform their ritual. The funeral Mass was held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 19, at St. George’s Church at 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. John’s at 44 Temple Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01604 for their Food for the Poor Program.