Obituary: Arnolds Vilcins

July 30, 1938 – March 28, 2025

April 4, 2025

Arnolds Vilcins, 1938-2025

Arnolds Vilcins, 86, of Duxbury, Vermont, passed away on March 28, 2025, at UVM Medical Center. He was born on July 29, 1938, in Laudona, Latvia. Arnolds emigrated to escape a war-torn Europe with his family to Elizabeth, New Jersey. His journey eventually led him to Vermont, which reminded him of Latvia, and is where he became a U.S. citizen. Vermont became his home where he built a remarkable life centered around family, creativity, and devotion.

Arnolds was a very diverse artist who graduated from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts in 1961 and where he met his future wife, Beverly. His work began in New York City as a graphic and packaging designer for Winthrop Pharmaceutical Company.  Additionally working as a freelance designer/photographer for various studios and agencies. In 1976 Arnold moved to Vermont and dedicated many years of his professional life as the Director of Graphics and Printing at the University of Vermont. He accepted the challenge of revising the UVM Printing Shop, taking it from a letterhead/envelope service to a full-service design, printing and publication office from 1979 to 1991 where his talents, vision, and leadership left a lasting impact. He continued his artistic talents with many different mediums and was constantly involved in home renovations, wood- and metal-working, and handcrafted gifts for his family. His graphic designs continued in assisting his wife in their home-based bakery where he designed and made their own unique cookie cutters, used for their very elaborate home-baked and decorated cookies.

Throughout Arnolds' professional career and life, he gave tirelessly to multi-volunteer projects for civic groups and his church. He was a very generous, loving, impressive man in stature and personality, but a man of few words who would roll up his sleeves and set to work for anyone in need. He cherished his time outdoors and had an extraordinary ability to find inspiration and beauty in nature. A creative spirit, Arnolds expressed himself through his talents and found fulfillment in sharing his gifts with those around him.

Arnolds' greatest joy was his family, and he took immense pride in their accomplishments and happiness. He was a strong and nurturing provider and a loving presence who instilled values of compassion, creativity, hard work and resilience in his children and grandchildren, and he looked forward to doing the same with his great-grandchild.

Arnolds is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Beverly (Townsend) Vilcins; his two children, Andra (Vilcins) Liberty and her husband Todd Liberty of Duxbury, and Kenneth Vilcins and his wife Sharon (North) Vilcins of Wilmington, North Carolina; and four cherished grandchildren, Mariah Liberty and her partner Joseph Marc, Logan Liberty and fiancé Kiana Lane of Boston, Massachusetts, Maksis Vilcins and his wife Nicole Vilcins, Annika Chittum and her husband Sawyer Chittum, and his first great-grandchild Ella Palmer Vilcins of Wilmington.

He was predeceased by his parents, Andrejs Vilcins and Marta (Berkis) Vilcins.

Arnold leaves behind a family that will forever carry forward his values, warmth, and unwavering support. His life was a testament to love and creativity. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and in the family he raised, through their lives, achievements, and the love he cultivated.

Per Arnolds’ request, there will be no funeral or calling hours. A private gathering will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions in his honor to the Waterbury Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 95, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, and the Waterbury Center Community Church, P.O. Box 216, Waterbury Center, VT 05677.