Wasili “Jed” Gubinski, 97, of Byram, CT, passed away on September 21st. Wasili, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Aloshinka, Bryansk Oblast, Russia on February 18th, 1924. His brother, Ivan, died around age 21 and his sister, who remained in Russia, lived until turning 100 in 2014.
Wasili’s youth in Russia was marked by remarkable tales of survival and endurance, and at the end of World War II, he managed to travel from Prague to Germany, where he met his wife, Halina Lipski, at a camp for displaced persons. The couple immigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in Byram, CT, where they purchased their lifelong home on Church Street in 1960. Their son Peter was born in Germany in 1951 and a second son, Victor, followed in 1952.
A tremendously hard worker, Wasili held many jobs to support his young family. Even with the difficulties of settling in a new country, Halina and Wasili always took advantage of their home: Wasili quickly developed a preference for lobster, was an excellent fisherman, enjoyed summers on his boat and became a talented gardener, taking great pride in his roses and lawn.
Halina and Wasili shared a wonderful 67 years of marriage: they loved one another dearly, enjoyed every day spent together and Wasili knew they would be reunited after his passing.
Wasili was grateful for each day and will be remembered as a kind, loyal, generous and forgiving father and grandfather, who loved his family immensely. For the final few years of his life, Wasili was lovingly cared for by Jason (grandson) and (Nina) granddaughter-in-law.
In addition to his parents and siblings, Wasili was predeceased by his wife Halina, son Peter and daughter-in-law Joy. He is survived by son Victor Gubinski (Alison), grandchildren Jason Gubinski (Nina), Natalia Gubinski (Patrick), Lucas Gubinski (Amanda), and Alexa Gubinski and nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at St. Mary’s Holy Assumption, 141 Den Rd., Stamford CT, 06903, on September 24th at 10 a.m. Calling hours will take place at Castiglione Funeral Home in Greenwich, CT on September 23rd from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
