Archpriest Kirrill V. Gvosdev, Rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.
Born in San Francisco, CA in 1938, the son of Victor and Eugenia Gvosdev, he was a graduate of Washington High School and the University of San Francisco. He served in the United States Marine Corps, after which he became co-founder of Pharmacy, Inc., a pharmaceutical supply firm serving independent stores across the US. After being called to ministry, he served as a choir leader, deacon and priest in a number of Orthodox Christian parishes and missions across Northern California.
In 1988, he was appointed Rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL, a post he held until his repose. He was a spiritual and community leader for the South Florida Russian-American community. In recognition of his service, he was elevated to the dignity of Archpriest in 2001.
Predeceased by his wife, Dr. Ellen Gvosdev, in 2009, he is survived by his son, Nikolas Gvosdev, daughter-in-law Heidi Kranz, and grandson Adrian Alexander Gvosdev Kranz.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22 at Saint Nicholas Church, 2001 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Funeral Service for a Priest will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. The Divine Liturgy, at which His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander will preside, will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23. Interment will follow at Deerfield Beach Cemetery.
May Father Kirrill’s memory be eternal!