Joe Zolynas, of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the age of 92 years.
Joe was born on December 12, 1932, as one of seven children on the family farm near Marijampolė, Lithuania. His life story surprises many. When he had just finished high school, Joseph Stalin decreed the exile of landowning families to work camps in eastern Russia (Siberia). In the middle of winter, Joe and his family were rounded up and taken to the train station where they were loaded into repurposed cattle cars with all their belongings.
Upon arrival near Tomsk, they walked to a remote settlement and were taken in by local villagers. Life in the camp was physically demanding and their time was spent mostly outdoors. Though his time in the camp was hard, he persevered. Eventually, he was able to obtain permission to study at the university level, focusing on surveying. Life remained difficult until Stalin’s death, after which the exiled population was allowed to return home.
While working in Kaunas, Joe met Bernice Brugza, who was visiting relatives there. After a period of correspondence, they fell in love and decided to build a life together and were married on November 9, 1980, in Lithuania.
Joe immigrated to Canada on June 8, 1981, and proudly attained his Canadian citizenship soon after. He worked several jobs before joining Alberta Environment, where he remained employed until the office closed and operations moved to Edmonton.
He was proud to be a Canadian, but he never forgot his roots. His strength, perseverance, and enduring connection to his heritage will be remembered by all who knew him.