Famous people remember Stanley Balzek’s eternal rest: “Chicago will no longer be Chicago without Stanley”

I looked at everything with humor

Film director Giedrė Žickytė, who has been in close contact with a Lithuanian-American, remembers his exceptional intellectual sense of humor and kind heart.

“Stanley was a prominent personality, extremely open, generous and always extended a helping hand to those in need.

It seemed like the year just didn’t exist for him

Also, you could call it a real energy charge: it seemed like a year just didn’t exist for him. If his illness affected his body, it didn’t seem to have affected his mental health at all. Stanley’s sense of humor and inner charisma is incredible. When we communicated, when I asked him how the doctors were, he replied that they were fine and that the doctors were very well, that they did not get sick. Stanley Balzek never gave up and showed his weakness, ”filmmaker Giedrė Žickytė shares his memories of Stanley Balzek, one of the most prominent figures in Lithuanian Lithuanian society in the United States.

The houses in Chicago are the houses of all Lithuanians

The woman has repeatedly had to stay at Stanley Balzek’s house in Chicago, where she had specially equipped apartments, which were visited by representatives of various fields: athletes, artists, politicians.

“At his home on the 87th floor, which offers a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan and all of Chicago, Stanley welcomed anyone. Laughing, these houses were sometimes called unofficial embassy of lithuania. Even Professor V. Landsbergis has visited them.

Now I think if there had been a camera in that house, I would have made a serious historical documentary about the most prominent people in Lithuania. There were many unique meetings, during which various topics were explored and the most heated discussions took place. I was there when I presented my first film in Chicago: Stanley wanted to introduce me to the people around him.

In 2014, I was also invited at Stanley Residence, making the movie The Leap

Then I remember traveling with my son. The son was afraid to go up to the 87th floor in the first days, and then he did not want to leave the house. In 2014, I was also invited at Stanley Residence, making the movie The Leap. In fact, I don’t even count how many times I have visited Stanley, “says the director.

Great contribution to Lithuanian culture.

According to Giedrė Žickytė, Stanley Balzek’s contribution to Lithuania and culture is enormous. Although he lived in the United States, he never forgot his homeland. Developing diplomatic and commercial relations in America, at the same time he invested heavily in Lithuania. He drove to his cultural center for two hours just to see a new exhibition or movie, a great tribute to the diaspora. Really few personalities can boast of the same. Stanley’s legacy is a true monument to Lithuania and its culture in Chicago.

I call him a kind of “Lithuanian godfather in America”

“I can guarantee that his museum will attract visitors from all over the world even after his death. Being an excellent public relations specialist, he was able to” tilt “all his interlocutors towards Lithuania. Everyone wondered what Lithuania was about, which Stanley said with such charm and enthusiasm, I laugh at him as a kind of “Lithuanian godfather in America,” Giedr abre opens.

Notable connections in America provided an opportunity for Lithuanian artists to be heard

The director also remembers how during one of his stays, she showed him his new movie, Stanley Balzek, and immediately began to coordinate Giedrei’s meetings with different journalists to promote his work.

“I find it hard to believe that I will no longer see the intellectual Stanley Balzek alive. I hope his example will inspire others to make the name Lithuania famous. Chicago I will no longer be Chicago without Stanley Balzek. I have no doubt that at this point, when He hears me talking about his life, he is screaming out loud somewhere and teasing me gently. ”

He devoted all his time to the guests in Chicago

To the journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis He has also visited the home of Stanley Balzek Jr. 20 years ago, American Lithuanians provided refuge for young people traveling in America, and a beautiful friendship was established. Edmund remembers S. Balzek as a personality who was always ready to give more than to receive.

“We met 20 years ago, in Chicago, at the Lithuanian Museum, at that time I went on vacation to the United States with other young journalists. We were introduced by then Ambassador V. Ušackas. During the meeting, Stanley offered to stay not in a hotel, but in his own apartment, which he then had to visit more than once. Stanley is a special person who has done a lot for Lithuania. It is worth establishing a museum, acquiring exhibits or maintaining the museum itself during a period of Such a long time. Everyone knows that Stanley financed not only this, but many other Lithuanian projects as well. He can be considered a really broad person.

We have been sitting at his house more than once until dawn. I could add that Stanley was a very funny person. There was never a shortage of talking points when communicating with him.

The last time we met about 7 years ago in Vilnius, it is true that I do not remember if the Song Festival took place at that time or some other important event for Lithuanians around the world, but I can assure you that Stanley was not a rare guest in Lithuania.

Stanley’s contribution to Lithuanian cultural life is invaluable. “

Indifferent to the world of sports.

Relative of Stanley Balzek, Lithuanian tennis coach, former Ričardas Berankis educator and founder of the Balzekas Tennis Academy. Remigijus Balžekas He also shares memories of a prominent personality.

He helped the Lithuanians as best he could.

“A few years ago, Stanley welcomed us with athletes in the United States very warmly. Stanley is a man who has spared neither his own strength nor any other resource for Lithuania, who has fought with all his heart for his independence. He helped the Lithuanians as best he could. Such more earthy Memories: I have had to sit down with a glass of wine more than once, talk to Stanley about Lithuania and everything related.

We share various current events and sports news. I think everyone should visit the Stanley Museum in Chicago – it is a real world monument to Lithuania and to all Lithuanians scattered around the world.

I still can’t believe the disease has knocked him down: we all knew he was sick, but Stanley’s life came out unexpectedly. The last time I visited it was with athletes from Lithuania a few years ago.

Richard Berankis and I have visited Stanley more than once. Its doors were open to all Lithuanians, and its heart, like its sense of humor, was extremely large.

For me, Stanley will always be one of the most prominent figures in Lithuanian society in the United States. “

Honored by merit

We remind you that eternal rest Stanley (Stasys) Balzek was born in 1924 in Chicago, graduated from De Paul University, was president of Balzekas Motor Sales, and in 1966 founded the Balzek Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago.

He was a member of the Lithuanian American Democratic Party, the Lithuanian Foundation, the American Chamber of Industry, as well as a member of the presidium and vice president of the Lithuanian American Council. , and in 1990 established the Chicago – Vilnius City Friendship Committee, was its chair.

Since 2000, S. Balzek has been the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Florida.

S.Balzek received the Cross of the Commander of the Order of Gediminas for Lithuania in 1996, and the Cross of the Commander of the Order of Merit for Lithuania in 2016.

He was also awarded the Vytis gold medal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “For the merits of Lithuanians in the world to Lithuania” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for special merits to encourage Lithuania abroad, participation in the Lithuanian life and the creation of prosperity in Lithuania.

Express sympathy

President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his condolences for the death of Stanley Balzek Jr., a Lithuanian honorary consul in Florida.

According to the president, S. Balzekas was a sincere friend of Lithuania, who strengthened Lithuania in the world with his life and actions.

“I express my deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased, to the Lithuanian community in the world and to all those who appreciate their ideals. May his memory be our obligation to continue the work of preserving and promoting Lithuania throughout the world, “says the President’s sympathy.

Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius expressed his condolences to his family, friends, Lithuanian communities in the United States and the world for the death of S. Balzek on Friday night.

“His long-term work for Lithuania and the preservation of Lithuania in the world will remain in the memory of all of us,” the minister wrote in his condolences.