Andris Gailis

Andris (Andy) Gailis, age 86, of Roswell, Georgia, passed away on April 21, 2023, at hospice, having valiantly endured Alzheimer/Dementia and suddenly succumbed to aspiration pneumonia while at the hospital.

Andris was born on October 30, 1936, in Ventspils, Latvia, to the late Voldemars and Eliza Gailis, and along with his older sister Monta, as a teen the family immigrated to the USA, where they were sponsored in Montana and became US citizens.

Andris married Silvija and had a daughter, Andra, and lived in Minneapolis, MN, Missouri, many yrs. in Cypress, TX, and finally in Roswell, GA, for 36 yrs.

He graduated from Hopkins High School, Glen Lake, MN, and soon after served in the US Navy for 4 yrs where he traveled abroad to several foreign countries (even acquiring some tattoos in Japan 😉). He was active in US Latvian society – being President of a Latvian fraternity (Zelmenis) in Minneapolis – and continued his activities in Georgia.

Andris went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations, from the University of Minnesota. He held multiple Human Resources (HR) Management/Director positions, such as at Target, Unisys, and developed his own company in Affirmative Action. Having grown tired of 3-piece suit occupations, he put it behind him and later favored more creative, interior/exterior home pursuits (did some artistic interior wall painting!), then working at Home Depot, where he worked until he retired at the age of 75.

“Playing in the Dirt” and landscaping was always his favorite pastime, and he later became a member of the Georgia Native Plant Society (e.g., rescuing endangered species from projected new building sites and replanting native plants in more secure areas) where his true love of nature and the outdoors expanded significantly. Andy and Silvija created a park in their back yard with multiple rock walls, multi-level meandering walkways, and sitting areas. He created an extensive, beautiful, and artistic natural landscape where friends and neighbors enjoyed strolling around and taking pictures.

“Working and Playing” in the yard outdoors was his mainstay and he was healthy and very physically active right up to the last month of his life. As such, we would like to believe that toward the end – even though he may have also felt some things slipping away from him - Andy could still feel a sense of control and independence in nature, and most importantly, he got to do what he enjoyed the most to the very end – remaining at home and working in his beloved yard.

Andy is survived by his wife Silvija (married 56 yrs), only child/daughter Andra, cats Tiggy (his recent buddy!) & Smokey (he called “Chicken”), sister Monta Krasts, nieces Sandra Parks (and her family) and Brigita Gardner (and her family), and multiple extended relatives and many friends.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life is being planned and announcement with details will be shared or contact Andra at [email protected].

Please share your memories or condolences with the family at www.roswellfuneralhome.com.

From Boobie Bear & Mama Bear (pet names): Dada Bear - Thank You for Everything! Ar Labu Nakt un Cuci Saldu Miedzinu