Obituary

Denis George Mažeika, M.D.
8/10/1945 – 5/17/2023

Denis George Mažeika was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 10, 1945, the day the United States declared Victory over Imperial Japan, ending WWII. Denis’s childhood was spent in Pittsburgh until his family moved back to New York City when Denis was 7 years old. His father worked for the Army Corps of Engineers on dams and bridges, mostly in Pennsylvania.

Denis graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1967. On December 27, 1969 Denis married the love of his life, Audronė Masiulionis, while attending the State University of New York at Buffalo Medical School. He graduated with an M.D. (Doctorate in Medicine) in 1971, and was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer (US Army) on November 1, 1971. He completed his internship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio while serving as Captain in the US Army Reserves.

After finishing his internship, he entered the Edward J. Meyer Memorial Hospital Ophthalmology Residency program in Buffalo, NY. Upon completing this residency in 1975, his reserve status changed to active status in the U.S. Army. Receiving a promotion to the rank of Major, Denis was posted overseas to Europe in Germany in the USA MEDDAC Army Hospital Wuerzburg USAREUR serving from 1975-1979 as a medical officer, surgeon, and Chief of Ophthalmology.

After completing his service as a medical officer in the Army, in 1979 he opened his private ophthalmic medical and surgical practice in Batavia, NY, and took up residence in Le Roy, NY. Denis was president of the Genesee County Medical Society, NY. and served on many hospital committees at St. Jerome Hospital and Genesee Memorial Hospital in Batavia, NY. He continued his practice through October 2001.

Denis was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 0576, Le Roy, New York and Le Roy Service Men’s Club, Inc. He and his wife Audra became lifetime members of the Third Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Mercedarians), and he will be buried with his Mercedarian Scapular. For his many years of service to the Catholic Knights of Lithuania fraternal organization, he was awarded the highest rank of 4^th degree life membership in August 1975.

Throughout his life, Denis held freedom for Lithuania to be a major goal; he participated in events, rallies, and efforts to press Congress to support this successful cause that culminated in the 1990-91 Restoration of Independence for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

When Lithuania regained independence in 1991, he organized valuable cargo shipments of medicine, medical supplies, and medical equipment to Lithuanian hospitals. In May of 1993, he and his wife traveled to Lithuania where he trained eye surgeons with Western methodology, state of the art instruments which he brought and left for them to continue surgeries. Denis performed 5 micro eye surgeries for the most challenging cases with an audience of local surgeons. He received an official commendation from both the Kaunas Medical Academy and the University of Vilnius, Lithuania, who were grateful for his achievements and assistance.

One month after the attack on September 11, 2001, at the age of 57, Denis suffered a paralyzing hemorrhagic stroke. Through the valiant efforts of fellow dedicated physicians that day, Denis survived the stroke and the ensuing coma returning home 4 months later. Rehab was tough. His wife Audra had to take care of him 24/7 as he relearned how to eat, talk, walk and all activities people take for granted. Overcoming adversity and challenges, he retained a robust sense of humor. His love of music and polkas continued, but his balalaika moved on to the next generation.

He always had a sense of humor and at times he also provided a variety of jokes along with dark humor. He had an infectious laugh for the remainder of his life that was Pure Joy. If you heard it, you were put into a better mood immediately. It was a refreshing sound to hear. Denis lived and survived more than 22 years after his strokes, attending many family gatherings, holidays, weddings, and celebrations. He celebrated 53 years of marriage at the end of last year. The doctors at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA said that they never knew anyone to live this long after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Denis passed away on May 17, 2023, with complications from pneumonia.

The family is grateful for all the love and laughs that we enjoyed all these years. By his request, Denis’s US Army Uniforms were officially sent to support life-saving medical war operations in Ukraine. We hope that Denis’ spirit of service, saving lives will be carried on in Ukraine by the doctor who will wear his caduceus. We believe there is a special place in Heaven for Denis for all his selfless dedicated work and love.

Denis is survived by his loving wife Audronė “Audra” Mažeika, brother Anthony Mažeika (Danutė), sister Maria Dayton (Steve), brother-in-law Vitas Masiulionis (Mary Jane), Aunt Dana B. Mažeika (Vytautas). He was predeceased by his parents Anthony J. and Susana Mažeika; his sister Joan Gustavson; Uncles & Aunts: Vytautas, Vaclovas, Pranas Mažeika(Aldona), George Unger (Katherine), Albina Gerdvil (Stanley), Mary Kairys (Matthew), Johnny Unguraitis; Cousins Bart Mazeika (Patricia), Nancy-Carol Mažeika Terrian (Robert); former brother-in-law Vyt Strazdis; Grandparents: George and Mary Ungerinis, and Antanas and Veronica Mažeika.

His surviving nephews and nieces and their families are saddened by his passing: Christine Masiulionis, John Masiulionis, Irene Tuttle, Kristine Hall (Chris), Andrew Dayton (Haley), Andrius Mažeika (Kate), Conrad Mažeika, Anthony S. Mažeika (Megan), Erlinda “Alexi” Doherty (Brendan), Alina “Alytė” Mažeika (Emmanuel) Ed Paegle (Laura), and Tadas Paegle (Inga).

He also leaves behind many great-nieces and great-nephews: Madelyn Hall, Emily Hall, Nick Tuttle, Ed Tuttle, Gabriel Dayton, Marlena Dayton, Tommie Dayton, Benjamin Dayton, Julian Paegle, Skylar Paegle, Ronan Doherty, Cillian Doherty, Scarlett Doherty, Kristina Paegle, Lukas Paegle, Emilia Mažeika, Avalon Mažeika, Gabrielė Mažeika, Juliana Mažeika, Logan Mažeika, and Felicity Mažeika.

Surviving cousins and cousins-in-law include Katherine Moore (Francis), Ruth Moore Izzo (Jerry) son Matthew, Mary Moore Benchimol (Ed), Joan Moore Dlouhy (Barry), Kernius Mažeika, Veronica Terrian Ellison (Daniel), Maria Utz (John) and family, John Mažeika (Susan) and family, Peter Mažeika (Angie) and family, Tadas Valickis (Lina) and family, Andrius Valickis (Debbie) and family, and Ed Klimas (Vilija) and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent to the Baltic American Freedom League or Blue/Yellow for Ukraine.

Baltic American Freedom League
PO Box 65056
Los Angeles, California 90065-3651

or

Friends of Blue/Yellow Ukraine USA NFP, Inc
PO Box 641
Naperville, Illinois, 60566

Funeral Mass for Denis Mažeika
June 15, 2023 10:00 am
St. Kilian Catholic Church
26872 Estanciero Drive
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Burial & Committal with Military Honors
June 16, 2023 12:30pm
Miramar National Cemetery
5795 Nobel Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122