JOHNSTOWN, PA --  Today,  May 15, 2015, marks the second anniversary of the repose of the faithful priest of the Diocese, the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Rosco. Fr. Michael Fell-Asleep-In-The-Lord following injuries sustained in a serious car accident following his attendance at the Spring 2013 Meeting of the Diocesan Board of Trustees Meeting.  

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fr. Michael attended   DChrist 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 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, 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.

May His Memory Be Eternal!