News

While for many years the Kazickas family members generously have been sharing their special memories with Tevelis, as they kindly call him, this year the Kazickas Family Foundation teams in New York and Vilnius share quotes and moments that inspired them the most. It is a true honor to represent the Kazickas Family Foundation and to continue dr. J. P. Kazickas' legacy through the foundation's work. 

Neila Baumiliene, KFF New York office director:

I remember lunches with Dr. Kazickas. After saying Grace, he would say: “You are my most honorable guest, thank you for coming”. His attention gave me confidence and taught me a lesson how to treat a guest. After I got to read, - and translate into English for his family, - Dr. Kazickas’ love letters to his wife, as well as Alexandra’s diary, I was astounded how extremely hard working he was his entire life, during the hardest times as well as the happy ones. One of his letters in the 1960s reads: “My hard work put into efforts, ideas, and contacts gave results that are greater than I could have ever dreamed about...” while in another one in the 1950s: “hard work is everything”.

Agne Vertelkaite, KFF Vilnius office director:

“Happiness is within us. And if we truly understand that happiness within us, we begin to make those around us happy too. This is how a special kind of circle is created - if we give happiness, we receive happiness. Giving becomes the primary reason of life.” Putting it in these simple terms and more importantly living by this truth dr. Kazickas conveyed the essence of the philosophy of life I choose to follow myself. It is not always easy or simple, of course, but when in doubt I revisit this truth and make a confident choice to act accordingly.

Ieva Sriebaliute, KFF Vilnius office program coordinator:

Unfortunately, I have not had the honor to meet dr. Kazickas in person. However, his values, wisdom and legacy guide me in my everyday work. I would like to single out a quality of Dr. Kazickas that I personally am inspired by. It is Dr. Kazickas’s frankness and his ability to disagree or to say no if necessary, but in a way that is graceful, clear and kind.When I read “Odyssey of Hope”, there were many episodes when I stopped to think and appreciate this quality, because I think it is rare and requires a special kind of intelligence and wisdom.

Arminas Vareika, KFF "Youth Can" program manager:

Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas is my role model and to many others as well. I meet many people who mention reading his autobiography and taking wisdom from it that guides them and helps them in various life situations. Dr. J. P. Kazickas and I come from the same Pasvalys region and I take a lot of pride in it.

Gintaute Genender, KFF AKGP and media manager:

I feel extremely blessed to have met dr. Joseph Kazickas in my life. Right away what struck me the most - the kindness and wisdom he radiated, he seemed like a person with a very inviting and comforting soul. He‘d always say that people would never forget how you make them feel. Words, even actions could be forgotten, but not the feeling. Everyone was equally and extremely important to dr. Kazickas, no matter the age, race, gender, profession or background.

Benas Maciulaitis, KFF "Youth Can" program coordinator:

After reading dr. Joseph P. Kazickas' autobiography "Odyssey of Hope" I was impressed by the business desicions he had made. I feel honored to work at tha Kazickas Family Foundation and even thoughn I didn't get to meet dr. J. P. Kazickas, I feel like a have a good old and extremelly wise friend always by my side.

Aiste Bertasiene, KFF "Youth Can" program coordinator:

Even though I have just recently joined the team, I had an honor to learn about J. P. Kazickas while reading his book “The Odyssey of Hope – the journey never ends”. I was very impressed with dr. Kazickas' personality and his extraordinary accomplishments. But mostly I was deeply touched by his love letters to his beloved wife Alexandra. I was fascinated to discover how much he loved her and appreciated her support in his life.