Folsom Funeral Service

Andrew Talavs Platais, a resident of West Roxbury for over 60 years, died peacefully at home April 6, 2013. He was 78 years old.  Andrew was born in Jelgava, Latvia and came to Boston in 1949. He was the son of the late Voldemaris and Alma (Shenveters) Platais.  He graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1951 and joined the United States Marine Corp that same year.  Andrew was a committed member of the Latvian community in Jamaica Plain where he volunteered as a leader of the Latvian Boy Scouts,  Daugavas Vanagi, and the Latvian Disabled Veterans. He was the Chaplain, Past Commander and a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Silver Star Chapter #3 Boston that recently merged with the JFK Memorial, he also coached the MIT Varsity Pistol and Rifle Team for many years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club at MIT.  He worked at MIT as a Design Engineer, where he worked on the Apollo Project; a guidance and navigation system,  for over 30 years and retired in 1989.  He married the love of his life for 56 years  on July 21, 1956. He is survived by his wife Indra J. (Klavins) Platais of West Roxbury: his children Roberta Platais-Witts and her husband Paul E. Witts Jr. of Chelmsford and Edgar A. Platais with Lynn Bailey of Stoughton, his granddaughter Diena L. Witts, his brother Maris Platais and his wife Elizabeth of Carlisle. He is also survived by his cousin (Bralitis) Austra Kelers of Chicago, IL.,  his sister in law Dzidra Bergs of Ontario, Canada, brother in law Gunis Klavins of West Roxbury, Ivars Klavins of Wakefield, many loving nieces and nephews. Brother in law of the late Andrew Klavins. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday at 10 am at Folsom Funeral Home, 63 Belgrade Ave, Roslindale with his funeral service immediately following at 11 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations in Andrews memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans, State House, Room 546, Boston, MA.  02133-1042 or Latvian Scouts & Guides of Boston, c/o Anda Spalvins, 92 Mrytle St., Norfolk, MA 02056

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