Archpriest Macarius Targonsky, 84, fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at Central Peninsula Hospital here. He was attached in retirement to the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Kenai, AK.
Father Macarius was born September 4, 1929 in Meriden, CT. He graduated from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA in 1950. He went on to graduate from Columbia University in 1955 and from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, then located in New York, NY. He was ordained by His Eminence, Metropolitan Leonty, at New York’s Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral. After serving as a parish priest for six years in Pennsylvania, he moved to Alaska in the early 1960s and was assigned to Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Kodiak. He also served the Kodiak deanery’s seven village parishes.
During the 12 years he and his wife, Matushka Marie, spent in Kodiak, Father Macarius participated in transferring the holy relics of Saint Herman of Alaska from Spruce Island to Kodiak. He had been tasked with hosting the multitude of hierarchs, priests and faithful at the canonization of Saint Herman on August 9, 1970.
After a five month assignment in Buffalo, NY and 10 months in Kenosha, WI, Father Macarius returned to Alaska and was assigned to Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Kenai, and the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, Ninilchik. Following a battle with poor health, Father Macarius’ ministry was focused on the Ninilchik parish. For the last five years, Father Macarius was retired and attached to Holy Assumption Church in Kenai.
Father Macarius was known for his beautiful tenor voice. He loved liturgical and folk music and had a great sense of humor. An obituary posted on the web site of the Diocese of Alaska reads, “We thank God for His faithful priest who served for decades in often difficult and challenging Alaskan conditions. Father was willing to literally give his life for the Church in Alaska and will find his resting place in this land which he traveled so far to serve. He leaves behind a great legacy of pastoral work. May his life be a source of inspiration to our clergy and faithful.”
“Father was a very caring and giving person, day or night, he got up and helped people in need,” his family wrote.
Father Macarius was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Macarii Targonsky; son Nicholas; 10 brothers and sisters; and a grandson, Cecil Demidoff.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Matushka Yvette Marie Tagonsky of Kenai; daughters and sons-in-law, Nina and Rick Weatherly; Evdokia (Dunya) and Ron Aho; sons and daughters-in-law, Alexander and Nancy Targonsky and Dimitri and Annette Targonsky; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lottie Cepanewski of Meriden, CT.
Funeral services will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Kenai. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 1, at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. His Grace, Bishop David and other clergy of the Diocese of Alaska will serve. Interment will be in the Holy Assumption Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the family at PO Box 3427, Kenai, AK 99611.
May Father Macarius’ memory be eternal!