Honoring the Memory of Lithuania’s Honorary Consuls in Canada
On All Souls’ Day, November 2, Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Canada, together with representatives of the Lithuanian Canadian community, honored the memory of Lithuania’s Honorary Consuls in Canada buried in Toronto and lit a candle at the monument to those who died for Lithuania’s freedom at Anapilis St. John’s Cemetery in Mississauga.
Vytautas Jonas Gylys (1886–1959) served as Lithuania’s Consul General in Toronto from 1949 to 1959. He was a Lithuanian diplomat and lawyer. From 1932 to 1934, he served as Governor of the Klaipėda Region and, during his diplomatic career, represented Lithuania in Finland, Estonia, Königsberg, Denmark, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway. He is buried at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.
Jonas Žmuidzinas (1898–1989) served as Lithuania’s Honorary Consul General in Toronto for more than 25 years (1962–1989). From 1932 to 1937, he worked at the Lithuanian Legation in London, and from 1937 to 1940 at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was widely known as a scholar, public figure, journalist, and writer, and was a member of the Lithuanian Writers’ Society. He is buried at Anapilis St. John’s Cemetery in Mississauga.
Haris Lapas (1924–2011) served as Lithuania’s Honorary Consul General from the first years following the restoration of Lithuania’s independence until 2004. His work contributed significantly to consolidating Lithuania’s independence and advancing Lithuania’s NATO membership goals. He is buried at Anapilis St. John’s Cemetery in Mississauga.
Liudas Vytenis Matukas (1937–2017) served as Lithuania’s Honorary Consul General in Toronto from 2004 to 2008. Through his work and connections, he contributed to strengthening Lithuania–Canada relations and cooperation with Canadian financial institutions. He is buried at Anapilis St. John’s Cemetery in Mississauga.
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