Krisst, Raymond John

Dr. Raymond John Krisstkrisciokaitis, 85, of West Hartford, passed away on March 11, 2023. Raymond was a proud Lithuanian/american who never missed an opportunity to remind friends, strangers, and family of his Lithuanian heritage and his immeasurable pride for America, where his family made home after fleeing Lithuania during World War II. He was also very proud of his family, his professional work, and his community.

Raymond loved his professional work endeavors. He started his path at Hartford Public High School and subsequently studied physics at the University of Connecticut where he graduated in 1958. Then he graduated from Michigan State University with a PHD in Experimental Atomic and Nuclear Physics. He then worked at the Cambridge Electron Accelerator as a research fellow and research affiliate in physics at Harvard and MIT, respectively, from 1965-70. He continued his work as a physicist with the DESY Research Institute (Hamburg, Germany), Combustion Engineering, The University of Hartford, Canberra Nuclear Products, and Energy Transfer Systems. His “Solar Grill” invention was something he touted to many who knew him well. More recently, Raymond passed on his love of physics and mathematics to the next generation while serving as a high school teacher in the Waterbury Public Schools for over 15 years.

Raymond loved his community. He served as a board member on the West Hartford Board of Education from 1983 - 91, serving as the Board Chair for the last four years. He volunteered at the West Hartford Access TV channel, hosting the “Viewpoint” television show for many years. He also loved his Lithuanian community and friends. He was an active member of the Holy Trinity Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church in Hartford, and served as a board member of the Baltnet Development Network which promotes business connections between Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the United States.

Raymond cherished his family. He loved and cared for his mother and father, Pranos and Levantina Krisciokaitis, before they passed. More recently, he loved spending time with his grandchildren whom he visited for “Pizza Night” for many years. Raymond is survived by his sister, Anne Schmid; his three children, Rima Krisst, Lara Krisst, and Abe (and Danette) Krisst; and four grandchildren, Immanuel, Devin, Baden and Veide. He also leaves his very close friend, Dr. Phyllis Connors. He leaves many extended family members and friends in Canada and Lithuania. If he were still here with us, he would remind the family, “i sveikata”. Raymond's family would like to thank the team at The Reservoir in West Hartford who helped to support him in recent times. This Friday, March 17, family and friends are invited for calling hours from 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m., followed by a mass at 10:00 a.m at the Holy Trinity Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church (Hartford, Connecticut). Raymond will be entombed with his parents at a future date at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries