About the rescuer and the rescue

Bronislovas was only six when his father died. His mother raised him, and he had an older and a younger brother. Bronius showed creative talents throughout his life: he drew beautifully and sang exceptionally well. He planned to study music.

When his mother Elena hid Jews in their home, Bronius helped her and those in hiding however he could. After the war, Bronislovas and his brother Pranas both joined the resistance against the Soviet occupiers. Bronius served directly as a liaison for Žemaitis’s headquarters. In 1948, Bronislovas Laurinavičius was denounced and deported to Siberia. He was imprisoned in Novosibirsk in 1948–1949 and in the Norilsk labour camp in 1949–1956. His mother sent him parcels.

After returning from Norilsk in 1956, he was forbidden to live in Girkalnis. Without a registered address, he could not find regular employment and took occasional work. Priests he knew, who had also rescued Jews, suggested he move to Skirsnemunė, where a branch of the Kaspinas factory was being built. Bronius worked there and married his wife Felicija. He was regularly summoned for KGB questioning in Jurbarkas.

Bronius and Felicija had twins, but sadly the babies were premature and died. A few years later, they had twin daughters, Aldona and Rimutė. Aldona described her father Bronius and grandmother Elena as deeply honest people who held themselves and their relatives to high moral standards. Bronius was very reliable, never spoke ill of others and was exceptionally principled: despite his beautiful voice and frequent invitations to sing, he refused to attend occasions that required Soviet songs. He did not allow his daughters to join the Young Pioneers, Little Octobrists or Komsomol. Throughout the Soviet period, the whole family attended church regardless of the consequences. Bronius could not accept the legacy of the Soviet system. Nevertheless, Aldona was barred from studying law because her father had a criminal conviction, while Rimutė entered veterinary studies. Bronius had three granddaughters: Rasa, Lina and Giedrė.