Kestas Andrew Palulonis

Kestas A. Palulonis, passed away peacefully at home on March 6th, his 76th birthday, surrounded by his loving family. He was a long time resident of Lake Forest and later, Crystal Lake.

Kestas was born in Vevey, Switzerland, lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to the United States with his parents when he was a teenager. The family settled in Chicago where he attended Harper High School and the University of Illinois, School of Architecture at Chicago Circle.

His achievements were many. He worked for over 35 years as an architect for the Federal Government, served in the United States Army and later in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the Reserve Officers Association. He also was active within Chicago’s Lithuanian community and a devout Roman Catholic.

Kestas loved the land and was an avid gardener/farmer who spent a great deal of time at his vacation retreat in Wisconsin, where he was rebuilding a cottage and overseeing and caring for 76 acres of land filled with many trees and a beautiful lake.

As much as he had achieved during his lifetime, Kestas’ family was his greatest love and priority. He was married for 51 years to his much loved wife, Rita and was a caring and loving father to his son, Rimas and daughter, Ruta. His grandchildren, Katelyn, Wil and Livia were the greatest joy in his later years. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments. As the youngest of three siblings, he was also very close to his sister, Lucia (the late Regis) and brother, George (Joyce) and his nieces, Kristina and Susana (Phil) and great niece, Colette.

Kestas will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but his joy for life, humor and kindness will be remembered for a long time.

A wake for Kestas will be held on Monday, March 13th at 4 – 8 pm, with a brief prayer service at 7pm. Cremation will take place the following day and a private burial in May. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Kestas’ memory to Northwestern Hospital Lake Forest, Pancreatic Cancer Research or Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, Pancreatic Research.