Semyon Kalnitsky

The Graveside Funeral Service for Semyon Kalnitsky may be live-streamed on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 12 noon via the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8973398187 and will be available for viewing later as well.

WORCESTER -- Semyon Kalnitsky passed away on July 9, 2022, at the age of 96. He was born on October 6, 1925 in the family of Naftali and Tsilya Kalnitsky in Koidanovo, a Jewish settlement near Minsk, Belarus. Semyon’s first language was Yiddish, which he spoke at home and at elementary school. In 1935, the Kalnitsky family moved to Minsk, and Semyon continued his studies in Russian. Sam is survived by his wife, Alla; two daughters, Elena and Marina; three granddaughters, Victoria, Vera and Alexandria; and five great-grandchildren, Ilana, Anna, Sam, Liam and Tyler.

When Nazi Germany invaded in 1941, Semyon’s father joined the Army. Semyon, together with his mother, older sister, and younger brother managed to flee from burning Minsk to Kazakhstan. Thus, they escaped the tragic fate of many Jews who perished in the Nazi-occupied territories.

In 1943, when he was not even 18, Semyon was conscripted into the Soviet Army. For his military service during the war, he was awarded the medals For Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 and Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45.

In 1946, Semyon began his studies at the Belarussian Polytechnic Institute. There he met his wife, Alla. Semyon and Alla were married for 75 years.

In 1951, Semyon graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He was assigned to Kaliningrad, where he played an important role in the creation of the electrical power system of the region. During the 11 years that Semyon and his family lived in Kaliningrad, he was promoted from engineer at a power station to Chief Engineer of Kaliningrad Energy Repair Trust.

In 1962, Semyon and his family returned to Minsk. He had to begin his career practically anew, starting as Senior Engineer. After two years, he was promoted to Head of Electrical Equipment Service at Belarus Main Energy Corporation under the Council of Ministers. That meant that Semyon was responsible for all electrical equipment at main power stations and substations in Belarus.

As a highly skilled engineer, Semyon had a wealth of experience in operating the electrical component of the energy system of the republic. For 32 years, he facilitated reliable operation and development of the energy system of Belarus. His awards include Medal for Valiant Labor, Diploma of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus “Excellence in Energy Systems and Electrification,” a Bronze medal from the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR, and the medal Veteran of Labor.

Semyon was a leader not only at work but also at home. He was involved in all aspects of family life. He guided and participated in the most demanding activities. He had a talent to recognize the needs of family members and the ways to help them. For every task, he would assign roles to everybody, including himself, and under his guidance all the problems would be successfully resolved. Towards the end of his life, bed-ridden with an incurable disease, he continued to look after his wife and kept in touch with other family members.

Semyon’s favorite pastime was working on his dacha. He was a capable and successful self-taught gardener. His enthusiasm and ability to involve all relatives in “agricultural work” resulted in good harvests and year-round supply of vitamins for the entire family.

A graveside service will be held at 12 noon, July 12, at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Rd., Worcester. Funeral arrangements are in the care and direction of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.