WORCESTER____Alius J. “Al” Svikla, 62, of Worcester and Key West, Fl., and formerly of South Dennis, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in Lower Keys Medical Center, Key West.
He leaves his brother, Vitas J. Svikla of Worcester and a niece, Kristine. He was born in Germany, a son of Julius and Brone (Maksimavich) Svikla and came to the United States with his family in 1949.
Mr. Svikla was a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War. He served as a Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Northeastern University in 1973. He was a Pharmacist for Osco Drug, Cambridge from 1973 to 1975. He was then a sales rep. for Pfizer Labs, N.Y.C., from 1976 to 1977. In 1977 he began working for CVS Pharmacy, South Dennis and was a pharmacist and pharmacy manager there for many years before he retired. He was also a drug abuse counselor from 1979 to 1987 for Healthcare Assn, Boston, First Group of Boston.
Mr. Svikla was a member of the Medical Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania, the American Pharmacist Association, the International Pharmacist Federation, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Massachusetts State Pharmacist Association, Lithuanian American Pharmacy Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Fleet Reserve Association. Al was a proud member of the Cape Cod MNL motorcycle riders association and he enjoyed golf, sailing, tennis and fitness.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, April, 14 from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Vilna Church, 151 Sterling Street. Burial with military honors will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday April 13, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.