Memorial Minute for Andrei Loskoutov

June 10, 1953- December 31, 2008

Andrei Loskoutov was born in Zagorsk, Russia on June 10, 1953. When he was about five, he moved with his family to Ukraine. He later attended the Institute of Culture in Kiev, Ukraine, where he studied film production and writing. He acted in several plays, played guitar, and was a canoeing champion.

In 1979, he met Ira Raschenko in Kiev; three years later, they married and had their son, Anton.

Always the optimistic traveler, Andrei later pursued a career in film-making and made many documentaries in other countries such as Japan, Italy, Denmark, Germany, and eventually in the United States. He also traveled throughout Russia, Ukraine and the former USSR in general. Noteworthy locations where he filmed included Alaska and Chernobyl. He also made a film about the disaster in Chernobyl, which was located only sixty miles from where he lived. It was through this documentary that he met and helped the American journalist Glenn Cheney, who was working on a book about the Chernobyl incident. Glenn later helped Andrei and his son Anton to visit the United States in 1994, in the aftermath of the USSR's collapse. Originally intended to be a casual project to make some money, their stay in America extended to the present. Ira followed the rest of the family six months later. Andrei had eleven dollars to his name as he came to America, but ultimately was able to acquire a three-family house for his family. He renovated several houses and cars and resold them.

Andrei met Hal Nomer, who was a literacy volunteer at the Westerly Library. Hal then introduced Andrei to the Westerly Monthly Meeting, and Andrei joined the Westerly Friends in 1997.

Andrei passed away shortly after 3 PM on December 31, 2008, which was actually right after the turning of the New Year in Ukraine, thereby in a sense fulfilling his wish to live to 2009. He is survived by his wife, Ira and his son, Anton.

Andrei's family and friends speak about his many "ideas and dreams" as well as his high energy. In his last days he spoke about "all the people of different religions gathered in peace" at his memorial service.