Francis P. Markuns passed away peacefully on March 31, 2016 at The Hebrew Rehab in Roslindale, Mass. A proud patriarch of three later generations, decorated World War II veteran and lifelong resident of South Boston, he was 91. He is reunited with his loving wife of 54 years, Virginia, who predeceased him in 2004.
Born the son of Anna Grigas Markuns and Charles Markuns on March 21, 1925, he was raised with siblings Alice, Albert and Lucy, graduating from South Boston High School in 1943.
At age 18 he entered the U.S. Army, landing with Company G, 329th Regiment, 83rd Infantry on Omaha beach two weeks into the D-Day invasion. He fought in the hedgerows and in the 83rd's July 4th action in the “swamp” near Sainteny where the 83rd suffered over 1500 casualties. He fought at St. Malo and the Citadel and was among the first group of infantrymen during the European Campaign to be awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He later fought with the 83rd in the Hurtgen Forest and in December 1944 was seriously wounded near Duren Germany, earning the Purple Heart. In 2014, the French government presented him with its highest award, the Legion of Honour, at a ceremony in Sainteny, France.
Upon his return home he married Virginia, and together they made South Boston their lifelong home. He attended Wentworth Institute on the GI Bill. He was a long-time union official as a machinist at Gaulin Corporation in Everett, and forever an active member of the community in which he lived. He served as President Knights of Lithuania Council 17 and was a member of the South Boston Lithuanian Citizens Club. He served on the parish council at St. Peter’s Lithuanian Parish, where he was baptized, married and remained a parishioner throughout his entire life.
He and Virginia raised three sons and two daughters in the G Street triple-decker that remained home through his final days. He would become Grandpa to nine grandchildren and Big Poppi to 10 great grandchildren, most of who came to know G Street as the center of the Markuns family universe and headquarters of holidays and celebrations.
He remained incredibly active throughout his final years, making multiple trips to Lithuania, France and other parts of Europe, also participating in the 70th Anniversary D Day Commemorations in Normandy in 2014. He faithfully made annual trips throughout the U.S. to attend the reunions of his beloved 83rd Infantry Division Association, serving as an Executive Board member right until his death.
He is predeceased by brother Albert Markuns and sister Alice Gudis. He is survived and will be deeply missed by sister Lucy Gaputis Tampa, Florida; son John (wife Patricia) North Andover; sons James and Richard South Boston; daughter Ann Marie Arsenault (husband Joe) North Easton; daughter Joanne Southborough; grandson Jeffrey Markuns (wife Kim); grandson Christopher (wife Kristine); granddaughter Catherine Graham (husband Scott); granddaughters Melissa Markuns, Christine Arsenault and Sarah Jackson; grandsons Michael Markuns (partner Nellie Luis), grandsons Joseph Arsenault and Thomas Jackson; and great grandchildren Kalyn, Mackenzie and Maxwell Markuns, Vitalij, Agata and Renata Markuns, Michael Aiden Markuns, Ryan, Margaret and Owen Graham; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours at The Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester St, So. Boston Sunday 3-7 P.M. A funeral Mass will be held in St. Peter Lithuanian Church Monday at 10:30 A.M. Interment to follow at Knowlwood Memorial Park, Canton. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Francis's name to the 83rd Infantry Division Association, P.O. Box 406, Alton Bay New Hampshire 03810-0406 or to an organization of your choice.