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Mr.
John N. Tipa
John
N. Tipa,
father
of National A.R.O.Y. President Maranda Tipa,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord at his home in South Lyon, Michigan,
on Friday, February 27, 2009. Funeral
services were held at St. George Cathedral, followed by
burial
at St. Mary Cemetery at Vatra Românească, Grass Lake, Michigan.
He
was
born
on February 4, 1927,
in Thorpe, West Virginia, and went with his family to Romania where he lived
from 1930 to 1948. Having returned to the United States, he proudly served
in the United States Army during the Korean War and then returned home to own
several businesses in the Detroit area. A long-time member of St. George
Cathedral, he held several positions on the parish council there including
serving as president for several years. He was also an active member of
the "Bucovina" Romanian Society in Detroit, having also held several
positions with that organization including serving as president for several
years. His sincere dedication to these organizations was truly an example
for others.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife Mariana, daughter Maranda, son Nicholas, and sister Saveta, as well as many
extended family members and loving friends.
Mr.
Tipa was a personable and friendly man, who would always greet friends with a
handshake and warm smile.
May
God
grant
his
servant,
John,
forgiveness
of
his
sins
and
eternal
rest
with
the
saints.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
Mr.
Robert
L.
Cipu,
17th
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
Robert
L.
Cipu
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
at
a
hospital
near
his
home
in
Fairfield
(Bridgeport),
Connecticut,
on
Wednesday,
May
7,
2008,
as
a
result
of
medical
complications
from
Multiple
Sclerosis
(MS),
a
condition
which
he
battled
for
many
years.
He
was
61
years
old
and
is
survived
by
his
wife
Mary
Elizabeth
(Betsy);
children
Scott,
Heather
&
Ashley;
parents;
sisters;
nieces
&
nephews;
other
extended
family;
and
many
friends.
Having
earned
degrees
from
the
University
of
Connecticut,
Cleveland
State
University
and
Southern
Connecticut
State
University,
he
retired
from
a
career
as
a
High
School
teacher
in
Bridgeport.
A
life-long
and
dedicated
member
of
the
St.
Dimitrie
Parish
in
Bridgeport,
he
was
active
in
the
local
Mac-A.R.O.Y.
Chapter,
parish
choir,
parish
council,
and
other
parish
activities.
In
addition,
he
was
active
in
National
A.R.O.Y.,
including
serving
as
the
organization’s
17th
National
President
(1972-1973).
In
his
later
years,
although
physically
limited
due
to
his
condition,
Bob
continued
to
offer
whatever
he
could
to
encourage
and
support
the
young
people
of
our
Church.
Whether
it
was
encouraging
the
local
Mac-A.R.O.Y.
Chapter
in
their
efforts,
or
taking
the
time
to
write
words
of
advice
and
encouragement
to
the
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
at
the
time,
he
understood
the
value
of
such
actions
and
did
so
as
a
good
and
humble
friend,
never
out
of
arrogance
or
self-importance.
His
friendship
will
be
greatly
missed
by
many.
The
Funeral
Service
was
held
at
Holy
Trinity
Greek
Orthodox
Church
in
Bridgeport
(due
to
the
construction
of
the
new
St.
Dimitrie
Church)
on
Saturday,
May
10,
followed
by
burial
at
Lakeview
Cemetery.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
Mr.
John
P.
Stanitz
 John
P.
Stanitz
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
at
his
home
near
Chicago,
Illinois,
on
Thursday,
May
24,
2007,
at
the
age
of
63,
following
a
brief
illness.
The
Funeral
Service
took
place
at
The
Falling
Asleep
of
the
Ever
Virgin
Mary
Romanian
Orthodox
Church
in
Chicago,
Illinois,
with
interment
at
the
nearby
Rosehill
Cemetery.
John,
together
with
his
wife
Kathy,
had
been
active
in
his
parish
and
the
Episcopate
all
his
life.
He
served
as
a
member
of
the
R.O.E.A.
Episcopate
Council
and
has
been
an
active
member
and
strong
supporter
of
both
the
American
Romanian
Orthodox
Youth
(A.R.O.Y.)
and
Orthodox
Brotherhood
U.S.A.
Mr.
Stanitz
is
particularly
known
among
A.R.O.Y.
members
for
his
involvement
with
the
Stanitz/A.R.O.Y.
Scholarship
which
was
established
in
1971
by
his
parents,
Constantin
&
Victoria
Stanitz,
in
memory
of
their
son
(John's
brother)
William
R.
Stanitz,
who
met
a
premature
tragic
death
as
a
young
man.
Not
only
did
John
take
an
active
interest
and
participate
in
the
scholarship
process
each
year,
but
he
added
to
the
fund
regularly
in
order
to
ensure
it
will
continue
to
offer
scholarships
for
many
years
to
come.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife
Kathleen,
and
brothers
Nicholas
and
Jim
together
with
their
families.
The
family
has
asked
that
those
wishing
to
make
memorial
contributions
do
so
to
the
William
R.
Stanitz/A.R.O.Y.
Scholarship
Fund,
P.O.
Box
309,
Grass
Lake
MI
49240-0309.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
Mrs.
Dita
Sandru
 Dita
Şandru,
mother
of
Preoteasa
Anita
Lazar
and
grandmother
of
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
John
E.
Lazar,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
on
Saturday,
January
13,
2007,
following
a
brief
illness.
Dita
Şandru
(nee
Gruitza),
known
to
some
as
“Edith”,
was
born
to
Ioan
Gruiţa
and
Ana
Crişan
in
Sharon,
Pennsylvania
on
February
25,
1917.
She
grew
up
there
and
graduated
from
Sharon
High
School.
Blessed
with
a
truly
angelic
voice,
from
her
earliest
childhood
she
stood
in
the
strana
next
to
her
father
and
sang
for
the
various
church
services.
Though
her
musical
potential
was
never
completely
realized,
she
continued
to
praise
the
God
she
loved
with
all
her
heart.
Dita
brought
joy,
beauty
and
pride
to
the
countless
weddings,
services
and
programs
she
was
asked
to
sing
for.
She
sang
for
royalty
and
with
her
beloved
family,
teaching
countless
songs
to
anyone
who
wanted
to
learn.
Dita
met
John
Şandru
of
Dearborn,
Michigan
at
a
convention
of
the
Union
&
League
of
Romanian
Societies
in
Warren
OH
and
they
were
married
on
June
1,
1941.
They
spent
over
50
years
together
as
a
true
example
of
love,
dedication
and
commitment
to
one
another
and
their
loved
ones.
That
love
and
care
was
extended
beyond
their
family
to
the
many,
many
lonely
and
elderly
people
they
took
into
their
home
and
cared
for
when
there
was
no
where
else
for
them
to
go.
Often
times,
Dita
and
John
would
find
a
way
to
not
only
care
for
these
people,
but
also
pay
their
final
expenses
when
they
finally
left
this
world.
They
lived
in
Dearborn
until
relocating
to
Akron/Fairlawn
OH
in
late
1980
to
be
with
their
daughter
and
family.
In
October
of
1990,
she
laid
her
dear
husband
to
eternal
rest,
and
in
the
fall
of
1991,
returned
to
Detroit
due
to
the
relocation
of
her
family.
Though
born
in
and
a
proud
citizen
of
the
United
States,
from
the
time
of
her
childhood,
Dita
was
always
active
in
“all
things
Romanian”.
She
spoke,
read
and
wrote
the
language
fluently,
being
educated
at
home
and
at
the
local
Romanian
school
programs.
Throughout
her
life
she
was
literally
immersed
in
her
heritage
and
represented
the
Romanian
community
in
many
capacities
for
decades,
even
being
chosen
as
a
“lady-in-waiting”
when
Princess
Ileana
of
Romania
came
to
Detroit,
and
they
formed
a
friendship
for
many
years
to
come.
She
was
a
dedicated
member
of
her
Church,
and
a
devoted
supporter
of
the
Romanian
Orthodox
Episcopate
of
America.
In
the
1950’s,
they
owned
and
operated
“Anita’s
Coffee
Shop”,
a
corner
diner
on
Michigan
Ave.
(Dearborn
MI)
named
after
her
daughter.
She
retired
from
Ford
Motor
Company
(Rawsonville
MI
plant)
where
she
worked
on
the
assembly
line
making
carburetors.
Later,
she
worked
with
her
husband,
John,
selling
real
estate.
In
1992
she
began
working
again,
this
time
as
a
greeter
at
K-Mart
(Southfield
MI)
for
several
years,
then
at
Kroger
(Southfield
MI)
for
some
7
years
until
August,
2006.
Some
of
the
clubs
and
organizations
she
dedicated
time
to
included:
Ford
U.A.W.;
the
Ladies
Auxiliaries
(Reuniunea
Femeilor)
of
Dearborn,
Akron
and
Detroit;
choir
member
&
cantor;
Soroptimist
Society;
the
Romanian-American
Business
Women’s
Association;
Mărăşeşti
Society
of
the
Union
&
League
of
Romanian
Societies;
Fairlawn
City
Women’s
Club;
officer
of
the
Union
&
League
Ladies
Auxiliary;
guest
host
&
performer
of
the
Detroit
Romanian
Radio
Hour,
and
others
too
numerous
to
mention.
No
doubt
her
greatest
joy
in
life
was
her
beloved
family.
Her
only
daughter,
Anita
Cornelia,
married
Laurence
Cornel
Lazar
in
1971.
Soon
after,
the
couple
took
on
the
life-long
commitment
of
service
to
the
Orthodox
Church
through
ordination
into
the
Holy
Priesthood.
Dita
and
John
stood
by
their
children
and
supported
them
in
everything
as
best
they
could.
Nothing
made
them
happier
then
when
their
grandchildren
came
into
this
world.
They
were,
and
will
always
be
“Buni’s
angels”.
Dita
was
the
oldest
of
four
children.
Sadly,
she
said
farewell
to
her
brother,
John,
and
sister-in-law,
Aurelia
Gruitza,
brother,
Cornel
Gruitza,
brother-in-law,
John
Onila,
sister-in-law,
Sophie
(nee
Şandru)
Meyers,
as
well
as
her
Naşi
and
many
Finii,
all
of
whom
preceded
her
in
falling
asleep
in
the
Lord.
Now
she
looks
down
from
heaven
on
her
beloved
family
–
her
only
daughter
(Preoteasa)
Anita
and
son-in-law
(V.
Rev.
Fr.)
Laurence
Lazar,
with
her
3
grandchildren:
John
Eugene,
Nicholas
Laurence
and
Ana
Valeriana;
her
only
sister,
Victoria
(Tory)
Onila
(IN)
and
sister-in-law,
Virginia
Gruitza
(OH);
her
cuscră,
(Dna.
Preoteasa)
Eleonora
Lazăr;
her
great
niece,
Pia
(Ioan)
Nanu
with
their
family;
11
dear
nieces
and
nephews,
many
great
nieces
and
nephews,
and
her
great-great
nieces
and
nephews;
her
Fina
Margaret
Homana
&
her
3
children;
as
well
as
her
more
distant
relatives
still
living
in
Romania.
We
weep
now
not
for
her,
but
for
ourselves,
that
through
sorrow
will
come
joy.
We
are
left
to
remember
her,
and
thank
her
for
the
gifts
she
gave
to
us
and
to
this
world.
May
God
forgive
her
and
give
her
rest!
Dumnezeu
sa’o
ierte!
Mr.
John
J.
Streza
Jr.
John
J.
Streza
Jr.,
father
of
Psa.
Mary
Lynn
Pac-Urar
and
grandfather
of
National
Board
Member
Michael
Pac-Urar
and
former
National
Board
Member
Alexandra
Pac-Urar,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
in
Canton,
Ohio,
on
Thursday,
January
4,
2007
at
the
age
of
97.
Funeral
services
were
held
on
Monday,
January
8,
2007,
at
St.
George
Romanian
Orthodox
Church
in
Canton,
Ohio,
with
burial
at
Forest
Hill
Cemetery
there.
John
died
as
peacefully
as
he
lived
gently,
surrounded
by
loving
family
at
his
bedside.
He
was
born
on
March
12,
1909,
in
Dridif,
Romania,
to
John
J.
and
Rozeta
Streza.
He
had
worked
20
years
for
L.T.V.
Company
of
Canton
retiring
in
1977
as
a
core
maker.
He
was
the
oldest
living
member,
past
trustee
and
council
member
of
St.
George
Romanian
Orthodox
Church
in
Canton,
and
was
a
member
of
the
Romanian
Fraternal
Society
of
Homestead,
Pennsylavania.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife
of
71
years,
the
former
Mary
Tiarog;
two
daughters
and
sons-in-law,
Pauline
and
Dave
Witmer
of
Canton,
Mary
Lynn
and
Fr.
Ian
Pac-Urar
of
Fairlawn;
son
and
daughter-in-law,
John
D.
and
Carol
Streza
of
Georgetown,
TX;
grandchildren,
Renee
Streza,
Wendy
and
Greg
Gaspard,
Alexandra
and
Michael
Pac-Urar;
great-grandson,
Donovan
Gaspard;
one
sister,
Jeri
Cragnolin
of
New
York.
Preceded
in
death
by
three
sisters,
Veta
Nicoleanu,
Georgeta
Young,
Aurelia
Bastea;
and
one
brother,
Gheorghe
Streza.
He
was
truly
a
gentle
man.
He
was
never
known
to
raise
his
voice
in
anger.
One
of
those
present
at
his
passing
said
of
John,
"He
was
a
man
with
a
grateful
heart".
He
asked
little
of
the
world
or
of
those
who
knew
him,
but
he
gave
all
that
he
could
give,
both
of
his
labor
and
of
his
resources.
His
life
was
marked
by
love,
by
kindness
and
by
generosity.
His
great
loves
were
his
wife,
his
family,
his
church
and
his
garden.
May
God
grant
his
servant,
John,
forgiveness
of
his
sins
and
eternal
rest
with
the
saints.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
Mr.
Cornell
Cotosman,
7th
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
 On
Tuesday,
December
12,
2006,
Cornell
Cotosman,
long-time,
faithful
member
of
St.
Mary
Romanian
Orthodox
Church
in
Chicago,
Illinois,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
after
a
brief
illness
at
the
age
of
76.
Cornell’s
life
was
a
celebration
of
service
to
God,
the
Church
and
to
others.
He
was
a
veteran
of
the
United
States
Navy
and
a
member
of
Amvets
Post
109.
He
worked
for
Milwaukee
Railroad
and
the
International
Communications
Union
as
an
Auditor.
He
was
a
member
of:
Speranta
Emigrantul
of
Chicago,
the
Addison
Post
District
Seniors
Club
and
a
volunteer
for
the
Addison
Police
Department.
His
church
activities
started
when
he
was
a
youngster
in
Chicago
where
he
became
involved
locally
and
nationally,
serving
as
the
7th
National
President
of
The
American
Romanian
Orthodox
Youth
(A.R.O.Y.)
and
participating
in
the
Pan-Orthodox
organization,
Conference
of
Eastern
Orthodox
Youth
Leaders
of
America
(C.E.O.Y.L.A.).
He
was
also
a
member
of
the
Orthodox
Brotherhood
U.S.A.
He
was
a
member
of
St.
Mary’s
Choir
and
volunteered
in
many
capacities
in
the
parish.
In
recent
years,
Cornell
was
the
friendly
man
at
the
candle
stand
who
would
make
visitors
feel
welcome
and
take
a
real
interest
in
people
he
had
not
previously
met,
gathering
all
the
information
he
could
about
them
so
that
he
could
connect
them
to
the
local
parish
and
the
diocese.
As
a
delegate
to
the
Episcopate’s
Annual
Church
Congress,
he
also
was
called
upon
many
times
to
serve
on
the
Episcopate
Council
and
gave
of
his
time
and
talents.
Cornell
is
survived
by
his
beloved
wife
of
50
years,
Sandra
Helen
(nee
Oprea)
Cotosman,
son
Phillip
John
and
granddaughter
Courtney.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
*
adapted
from
the
R.O.E.A.
Website
Mr.
Gordon
Galbincea
Mr.
Gordon
Galbincea,
father
of
Psa.
Mary
Ellen
Rosco
and
grandfather
of
34th
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
Tom
Rosco,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
on
17
August
2006
at
the
age
of
89
years,
following
a
lengthy
illness.
Born
and
raised
in
the
St.
Mary
parish
in
Cleveland,
Mr.
Galbincea
was
one
of
a
few
young
men
who,
at
the
request
of
Bishop
POLICARP
(Morusca),
spent
the
entire
summer
of
1938
helping
His
Grace
to
renovate
the
newly
purchased
Vatra
Românească
into
a
suitable
residence.
He
was
active
in
church
life
from
a
young
age,
serving
on
the
parish
council,
singing
in
the
parish
choir
and
as
a
cantor,
participating
in
Cleveland’s
inter-Orthodox
activities,
and
was
one
of
several
members
of
the
organizing
committee
(1949-1950)
for
The
American
Romanian
Orthodox
Youth
(A.R.O.Y.)
which
was
founded
in
1950.
After
being
transferred
by
work
to
North
Carolina
in
1959,
he
and
his
family
continued
to
support
the
St.
Mary
parish
and
the
Episcopate,
often
attending
events
in
Cleveland
and
at
Vatra
Românească,
including
working
at
the
summer
camp
programs
there.
Following
the
death
of
his
wife,
Mary,
in
1989,
he
returned
to
Cleveland
to
be
near
his
family
and
resumed
his
activity
in
the
parish
there
as
much
as
he
was
able.
Funeral
Services
were
held
at
St.
Mary
Cathedral
in
Cleveland,
Ohio,
with
burial
at
Sunset
Memorial
Park
in
suburban
Cleveland.
Mr.
Galbincea
leaves
behind
his
son
Gordon
and
family
(Houston
TX)
and
daughter
Psa.
Mary
Ellen
and
family
(Dearborn
Heights
MI),
his
sisters
Mary
and
Betty
in
Cleveland,
and
numerous
other
family
and
friends.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
*
adapted
from
the
R.O.E.A.
Website
Mr.
Dan
Calin
Mr.
Dan
Calin,
father
of
Psa.
Paula
Treff
and
grandfather
of
National
A.R.O.Y.
Board
Member
Alexandra
Treff,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
suddenly
at
his
home
near
Chicago,
Illinois,
on
Saturday
morning,
May
27,
2006.
Mr.
&
Mrs.
Calin
have
been
long-time
members
of
St.
May
Church
in
Chicago
where
they
were
not
only
very
active
in
the
life
of
the
parish,
but
also
in
the
life
of
The
Romanian
Orthodox
Episcopate
of
America
and
its
National
Auxiliaries
-
A.R.O.Y.,
A.R.F.O.R.A.
and
the
Orthodox
Brotherhood
U.S.A.
Dan
was
also
a
dedicated
member
of
United
States
Veterans
organizations,
participating
regularly
in
various
ceremonies
and
volunteering
at
the
Veterans
hospitals.
The
funeral
service
was
celebrated
on
Wednesday,
May
31,
at
Vatra
Românească,
with
burial
in
the
St.
Mary
Cemetery
there.
We
offer
our
condolences
to
his
wife
Virginia,
along
with
the
entire
Calin
and
Treff
family,
and
ask
that
everyone
keep
them
in
your
prayers.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
Rev.
Fr.
John
Limbeson,
1st
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
&
Past
National
A.R.O.Y.
Spiritual
Advisor
 We
sadly
announce
that
Reverend
Father
John
Limbeson
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
on
Friday,
19
August
2005,
at
his
home
in
Laguna
Woods,
California,
following
a
long
heart
ailment.
Fr.
John
was
born
on
22
March
1922,
in
Cleveland,
Ohio.
He
received
his
primary
and
secondary
education
in
Cleveland
and
went
on
to
Case
Institute
of
Technology
(now
Case
Western
Reserve
University)
in
the
same
city.
It
was
during
that
time
he
entered
the
United
States
Army
in
1943,
during
World
War
II,
attaining
the
rank
of
Lieutenant
in
the
Corps
of
Engineers.
He
obtained
an
honorable
discharge
in
1946
and
returned
to
his
studies,
graduating
in
1948.
He
went
on
to
complete
further
studies
in
later
years
at
California
State
University.
Having
completed
the
Late
Vocations
Program
and
St.
Stephen
Course
of
Studies
in
Orthodox
Theology
(1984-87),
he
was
ordained
to
into
the
Holy
Diaconate
in
1980
by
+Archbishop
VALERIAN
(Trifa)
and
served
the
Holy
Trinity
Parish
in
Los
Angeles,
California
(1980-85).
In
1985,
he
was
ordained
into
the
Holy
Priesthood
by
Bishop
NATHANIEL
(Popp)
and
temporarily
assigned
to
St.
Anne
Mission
in
Pomona,
California.
Fr.
John
was
then
assigned
as
parish
priest
of
Sts.
Constantine
&
Helen
Church
in
Indianapolis,
Indiana
(1993-97).
Upon
retirement
from
active
parish
assignment
in
1997,
Fr.
John
and
Psa.
Betty
reunited
with
their
family
in
California.
Fr.
Limbeson
was
active
in
the
life
of
the
Episcopate
from
an
early
age,
being
a
charter
member
of
the
American
Romanian
Orthodox
Youth
(A.R.O.Y.)
and
its
first
National
President
(1950-54).
Additionally,
he
served
on
the
Episcopate
Council,
holding
the
position
of
Treasurer
(1995-99),
and
was
appointed
as
National
Spiritual
Advisor
of
the
A.R.O.Y.
(1993-95).
He
was
also
involved
with
various
pan-Orthodox
lay
and
clergy
organizations
throughout
his
life.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife
of
almost
59
years,
Preoteasa
Betty,
son
John,
daughter
Merry
Ann
(Mrs
Serge)
Loukianoff,
and
grandchildren:
Natalie,
Katherine
&
Alexandra.
May
Fr.
John's
memory
be
eternal!
*
adapted
from
the
R.O.E.A.
Website
Miss
Natalia
Reed-Lopez
Our
sincere
condolences
are
expressed
to
the
family
of
Mr.
&
Mrs.
Michael
Reed
(former
Vatra
camper,
counselor
&
instructor),
along
with
their
entire
family,
on
the
untimely
death
of
their
daughter,
Natalia
Reed-Lopez
(age
13),
as
the
result
of
a
tragic
biking/auto
accident
while
on
summer
vacation
in
Spain,
August
2004,
where
she
visited
her
relatives
every
summer
and
loved
very
much.
She,
along
with
her
family,
resided
in
Ann
Arbor,
Michigan,
and
was
a
member
of
the
parish
family
of
St.
George
Cathedral
in
Southfield,
Michigan.
She
excelled
greatly
in
both
academics
and
sports.
She
spoke
several
languages
and
had
recently
earned
the
distinction
to
be
one
of
two
student
ambassadors
to
Ann
Arbor's
sister
city
in
Japan
in
Fall
2004.
Funeral
services
were
held
at
The
Nativity
of
the
Ever
Virgin
Mary
Chapel
at
Vatra
Românească,
with
burial
in
the
St.
Mary
Cemetery
there.
More
than
300
family
and
friends
came
to
the
Vatra
to
say
goodbye
to
Natalia.
May
her
memory
be
eternal!
V.
Rev.
Fr.
Richard
Grabowski,
Past
National
A.R.O.Y.
Spiritual
Advisor
The
Very
Reverend
Father
Richard
Grabowski,
Chairman
of
the
R.O.E.A.
Department
of
Christian
Assistance,
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
on
Thursday,
May
6,
2004,
following
a
recent
illness.
Funeral
services
were
held
at
Holy
Resurrection
Church
in
Warren,
Ohio,
and
The
Falling
Asleep
of
the
Ever
Virgin
Mary
Cathedral
in
Cleveland,
Ohio,
with
burial
following
in
the
St.
Mary
Cemetery
at
Vatra
Românească.
 Father
Richard
was
born
on
March
21,
1924,
in
Ramnicul-Valcea,
Romania. After
receiving
his
education
in
Romania,
he
and
his
wife
immigrated
to
the
United
States
in
1952
and
eventually
became
American
citizens. Ordained
to
the
priesthood
in
1962
by
+Archbishop
VALERIAN
(Trifa),
he
was
assigned
as
assistant
priest
of
The
Falling
Asleep
of
the
Ever
Virgin
Mary
Church
in
Saint
Paul,
Minnesota
(1962-1963);
parish
priest
of
The
Descent
of
the
Holy
Spirit
Church
in
Merrillville,
Indiana
(1963-1971),
Holy
Trinity
Church
in
Los
Angeles,
California
(1971-1982),
and
The
Falling
Asleep
of
the
Ever
Virgin
Mary
Church
in
Cleveland,
Ohio
(1982-1989);
and
administrator
of
Sts.
Michael
&
Gabriel
Church
in
Fort
Wayne,
Indiana
(1968-1970)
and
Holy
Resurrection
Church
in
Oakland,
California
(1971-1979). After
his
retirement
from
active
parish
assignment,
he
served
as
the
U.S.
Coordinator
and
Chairman
of
the
R.O.E.A.
Department
of
Christian
Assistance
(1990-present),
especially
for
the
program
"Help
for
Romania"
(1990-1997)
for
which
he
faithfully
coordinated
and
oversaw
the
distribution
of
millions
of
dollars
worth
of
aid
to
the
people
of
Romania. Additionally,
he
was
very
active
in
the
life
of
the
Episcopate
having
served
on
the
Episcopate
Council
and
Spiritual
Consistory,
as
Spiritual
Advisor
of
the
American
Romanian
Orthodox
Youth
(A.R.O.Y)
and
Association
of
Romanian
Orthodox
Ladies
Auxiliaries
(A.R.F.O.R.A.)
national
auxiliary
organizations,
as
Instructor
and
Director
of
the
Vatra
Religious
Education
Courses,
and
numerous
other
activities
in
the
life
of
the
Church.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife,
Preoteasa
Hildegard,
and
children:
Michael,
George,
John,
Richard,
Corina
(Phillips),
Paul,
and
Stephen,
along
with
their
families.
May
Fr.
Richard's
memory
be
eternal!
*
adapted
from
the
R.O.E.A.
Website
Rev.
Fr.
Peter
Lipovan
On
the
night
of
24
July
2002,
after
having
battled
with
cancer,
the
Reverend
Father
Peter
Lipovan
found
his
much-awaited
relief.
He
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord
at
home,
surrounded
by
his
three
devoted
children,
his
son-in-law
Mark
and
his
lovely
grand-daughter,
Ann
Elizabeth.
Fr.
Peter
was
born
on
6
August
1919,
in
Batania-Cenad,
Timis,
Romania.
There
he
studied
at
the
Theological
Academy
in
Arad
(1939-1941).
A
refugee
in
Austria
and
Argentina
he
came
to
the
U.S.A.
in
1963.
He
completed
his
studies
at
St.
Vladimir
Seminary
(1963-1966)
and
then
was
ordained
by
the
late
Archbishop
VALERIAN
in
1964.
Married
to
Preoteasa
Ann
(Billie),
they
were
blessed
with
three
children:
Mary
Christina,
Emily
Ann
Pauline
(30th
National
A.R.O.Y.
President)
and
Theodore
Philip.
Endowed
with
a
very
operatic
voice,
Fr.
Peter
served
in
several
parishes:
Niles
&
Salem
OH
and
Erie
PA
between
1966-67;
Saint
Louis
MO
(1967-68);
and
Philadelphia
PA
(1968-75).
In
1975
he
was
released
to
the
Albanian
Archdiocese
for
St.
Nicholas
parish
in
Connecticut
(1975-78).
In
1979
he
was
received
back
into
the
Romanian
Episcopate
and
served
on
an
as-needed
basis
in
the
parishes
of
the
Ohio-Western
Pennsylvania
Deanery.
After
1991,
when
Psa.
Anne
fell
asleep
in
the
Lord,
Fr.
Peter
lived
in
Cleveland
sharing
the
love
of
all
his
children.
In
1994-95
he
temporarily
served
in
Vancouver
BC.
Since
1995,
when
he
retired,
he
was
attached
to
St.
Mary
Cathedral,
Cleveland
OH,
where
he
continued
to
sing
in
the
George
Enescu
Choir
and
assist
in
the
services.
His
greatest
joy
in
his
retirement
was
to
see
his
grand-daughter
Anne
Elizabeth.
Last
fall,
along
with
Mark,
Ted,
Emily
and
Annie,
he
was
blessed
to
travel
to
Deva,
Romania,
to
see
his
brother,
Archpriest
George,
for
the
last
time.
He
also
leaves
his
sister,
Elena
Tihoi,
in
Philadelphia
PA.
His
brothers
Peter
and
Teodor
preceded
him
in
death,
back
in
Romania.
A
hard
worker
all
his
life,
Fr.
Peter
Lipovan
will
always
be
remembered
as
man
who
loved
to
read,
tell
stories,
make
incursions
into
the
long
history
of
Christianity
and
his
nation,
enjoyed
singing
and
respected
and
loved
everyone
around
him.
He
loved
his
children
and
was
loved
by
them
until
his
last
breath.
He
maintained
his
humor
even
in
his
greatest
suffering.
Upon
receiving
Holy
Communion
the
day
before,
he
still
found
the
strength
to
respond
with
confidence
to
the
greeting
"Christ
Is
Risen!",
answering
vigorously:
"Truly
He
Is
Risen!"
The
Funeral
Service
was
led
by
His
Eminence,
Archbishop
NATHANIEL,
assisted
by
a
sobor
of
local
and
visiting
clergy,
at
the
St.
Mary
Cathedral.
Fr.
Peter
was
then
laid
to
rest
next
to
his
beloved
Psa.
Anne
at
a
local
cemetery
in
Cleveland.
May
God
grant
Fr.
Peter
eternal
rest
and
give
him
the
joy
of
heaven!
Memory
Eternal!
*
adapted
from
the
Weekly
Bulletin
of
St.
Mary
Cathedral,
Cleveland
OH
Mr.
Nicholas
A.
Tekushan,
2nd
National
A.R.O.Y.
President
 Nicholas
A.
Tekushan,
an
active
member
of
St.
Mary
Cathedral
of
Cleveland
and
National
A.R.OY.
President
in
1955,
passed
away
on
May
25,
2002.
He
was
born
in
Youngstown,
Ohio,
in
1919,
the
son
of
Nicolae
and
Finica
Tecusan,
prominent
early
Romanian
and
church
leaders.
He
is
survived
by
his
wife,
Virginia,
two
sons,
Mark
and
Terrance,
a
sister,
Fannie
Filkins,
brother-in-law
Lou
Renghea
and
a
number
of
other
relatives.
An
architect
by
trade,
Mr.
Tekushan
helped
in
the
building
programs
of
St.
Mary
Cathedral
and
St.
Helena
Byzantine-Rite
Romanian
Catholic
Church
in
Cleveland.
Married
to
Virginia,
whose
parents
were
also
active
in
the
pioneer
Romanian
life,
the
couple
was
involved
in
the
church
life
of
St.
Mary's,
being
members
for
many
years
of
the
George
Enescu
Choir
and
holding
other
positions.
Nick
Tekushan
was
the
2nd
National
President
of
the
A.R.O.Y.
and
one
of
the
founders
of
The
Council
of
Eastern
Orthodox
Youth
Leaders
in
America
(C.E.O.Y.L.A.).
Nationally
and
locally,
he
encouraged
inter-Orthodox
activities,
being
a
member
of
the
Inter-Orthodox
Committee.
He
pursued
his
church
activities
intently,
faithfully
and
modestly,
setting
an
example
for
other
members,
National
A.R.O.Y.
will
miss
Nick,
but
will
remember
him
for
his
dedication.
May
his
memory
be
eternal!
*
written
by
V.
Rev.
Fr.
Vasile
Hategan |
