JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Very Rev. Protopresbyer Michael Rosco, fell-asleep-in-the-Lord on the morning of May 15, 2013, at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he attended Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1972. That same year, he married the former Susan Hreha of Homestead, Pennsylvania and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in his home parish of St. John the Baptist in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fr. Michael has served the Lord and our Diocese honorably and faithfully for the more than 40 years of his worthy priesthood having served parishes in Stratford, Connecticut; East Chicago, Indiana and Windber, Pennsylvania, before his assignment to St. John the Baptist Church in Perth Amboy in November of 1992. He also served as the Administrator of Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Pennsylvania for three years.

In addition to his pastoral duties, most recently, Father Michael served as Dean of the New York Deanery, New Jersey Deanery and Washington DC Deanery. He also served as a member of the Diocesan Consistory and Board of Trustees and in 2009 was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese. Father Michael's Diocesan responsibilities included serving as editor of The Church Messenger, Chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Music and Mission Commissions, and as the Diocesan representative to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). He also represented the Diocese as a member of the Study and Planning Commission of the former Standing Conference of Orthodox Canonical Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).

Active in the local community, Father Michael was the Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Perth Amboy during their one-year Gulf Coast Relief Effort, which cared for some 40 families who had relocated to the Central Jersey town after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In addition Father Michael served as President of the Perth Amboy Clergy Association. Under Father Michael’s leadership a community feeding program was established.

Father Michael’s body will lie in repose in St. John's Church, Perth Amboy, NJ on Sunday May 19, 2013 from noon through the time of The Priest's Burial Service which begins at 7:00 pm. On Monday morning, May 20, 2013, the Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 AM, with His Grace, Bishop Gregory presiding. Interment is in St. Andrew Memorial Cemetery, Boundbrook, NJ

Father Michael is survived by His wife Pani Susan and his son Vladimir.

The clergy and faithful of the Diocese are kindly asked to remember the Newly Departed Protopresbyter Michael, his beloved wife, Pani Susan and son Vladimir and the faithful of St. John's Parish in their prayers.

May Almighty God rest the soul of His Newly Departed Priest, the Protopresbyter Michael in a place of brightness and repose where there is neither sickness, sorrow or pain, but life-everlasting.

May His Memory Be Eternal! Christ is Risen!