Due to challenging economic conditions, all the children would serve as shepherds, with A. Pocius starting at the age of four.

Antanas' father Petras Pocius fought in the First World War and was injured in his lungs, which caused the development of tuberculosis.

He died when Antanas Pocius was only 12 years old, leaving the family in even tougher economic conditions after the householder's death.

After having finished three grades at the elementary school, Antanas Pocius started learning the trade of tailor until he realised he would do better as an organist, as organs had been attracting his attention since an early age.

Antanas Pocius died on 1 April 1983, in the Rietavas hospital and was buried in Plungė.