LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Aras Vytautas Grakauskas

Aras Vytautas Grakauskas, 59, passed away unexpectedly at home in Moraga, California, on the morning of Dec. 30, 2020 after a valiant battle with multiple health challenges. He was a wonderful, devoted husband, father, brother and uncle and leaves a major void in his family's life.

Preceded in death by his grandparents and parents. Survived by loving wife Eleanor, cherished son Cole, and bonus son Karl Lesterhuis; beloved sister and brother in law Asta and Mitch Gersovitz, and nephews Erik and Alex Gersovitz; treasured relatives Milda Lenkauskas, Viktor and Ilona Peteris; cousins Viktorija, Nijole (Kestutis), Siga (Jonas), and Gidas (Egle); and life long, loyal friends Arnas Kungys (godson Martin) and Arunas Sadonis.

Born in Los Angeles to Nijole and Vytautas Grakauskas, Aras grew up in Arcadia, California. In his younger years he played football, wrestled and skied. He was a proud Lithuanian American, who met lifelong friends at Camp Dainava, danced with the LA Spindulys dance troop, and bartended at dances.

Aras was a CPA, had a BA and MS in accounting, and worked for several major accounting firms, most recently as a Senior Manager at Ryan LLC. He was a native Californian who fished in Lake Arrowhead, skydived out of Perris, mountain-biked the Santa Monica mountains, skied Mt. Baldy, Mammoth, and Tahoe. He enjoyed frequent visits with his sister's family on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. Happy times were shared fishing with his brother in law and nephew, skiing in Park City, spending Christmas with family, experiencing the MOA and the MN State Fair. Just being with family gave him joy and pride.

Aras enjoyed small town shopping trips, overnight stays in the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, and vacation getaways in Lake Tahoe with his wife Eleanor. He treasured his son Cole beyond measure, and was an ardent, proud supporter at Cole's soccer games, swim meets and Cub Scout activities. Aras passed on his love for skiing to Cole. He was also a steady presence in Karl's life and encouraged the strong connection that Karl made with Cole.

Aras was a kind man of few words. He had a low voice, subtle smile, off beat sense of humor (think Far Side greeting cards), and the stature of Gulliver. On New Year's Day he traditionally wished his best friends "Happy Arbitrary Starting Point." And so it goes that he leaves us at a new, arbitrary starting point. Cheers to a memorable life well lived "Arai"!

Services in Glendale pending, in consideration of the Covid epidemic. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Aras' memory are encouraged to do so to the Moraga Educational Foundation, German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California, or The Wounded Warrior Project or their favorite charity.