Lithuania to bid farewell to legendary basketball coach Vladas Garastas

Lithuania is preparing to bid farewell to Vladas Garastas, a revered figure in the nation's basketball history. The legendary coach, who guided the Lithuanian national team, passed away at the age of 95.

The farewell ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12, from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the "Rekviem" funeral home in Kaunas. The following day, Saturday, June 13, a funeral mass will commence at 8:00 AM at the Kaunas Archcathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

Following the mass, a funeral procession will depart at 12:00 PM for the Petrašiūnai cemetery. The family has requested that attendees honor Garastas's memory with a single flower, reflecting the coach's lifelong humility.

Garastas's passing was announced on Wednesday, sending a wave of sadness through the Lithuanian basketball community. Mindaugas Balčiūnas, president of the "Lithuanian Basketball" association, confirmed the news, stating it was a "sad loss." Valdemaras Chomičius, a former player and coach, expressed his shock, noting that while they knew Garastas had undergone surgery and was recovering slowly, they did not expect his death so soon.