Archpriest Michael Storozuk, 70, fell asleep in the Lord after a lengthy illness in Frisco, TX on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
Born in Hartford, CT on November 1, 1947, the son of Stanley and Sophia Storozuk, he was a 1968 graduate of Newington High School, Newington, CT and pursued an apprenticeship at a printing firm. Raised in a Roman Catholic family, he and his wife, Matushka Patricia, had relocated in the mid-1990s to North Texas, where they met His Eminence, the late Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas and began instruction classes that led to their reception into the Orthodox Church. He generously offered his talents for the new Saint Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX, executing all interior woodworking including its iconostasis and altar table. He also was instrumental in assisting the cathedral’s iconographer in preparing the walls and canvases upon which murals were painted. The results of Father Michael’s talents, skills and handiwork may be seen in other North Texas parishes and missions, including the Nativity of Our Lord Monastery, Kemp, TX.
After ordination to the diaconate, Father Michael served Saint Sava Mission, Plano/Allen, TX. Ordained to the priesthood in May 2001, he was given the blessing to plant a mission in the Sherman/Denison area near the Oklahoma border, where he and his flock constructed their current Chapel of Saint Paul the Apostle using plans inspired by drawings by Saint Jacob Netsvetsov. Much of the church’s iconography is the work of Father Michael, who also oversaw construction of the parish hall.
In addition to his beloved Matushka Patricia, Father Michael is survived by their son Michael [Christy]; their daughters Cynthia [Kyle] Poe and Angela Storozuk; their grandchildren Ryan, Mallory, and Kaitlyn; his sister, Susan Bidwell; and his brother, Stanley Storozuk.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, Denison, TX. Great Vespers with Litiya will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. The Divine Liturgy and Funeral Service will be celebrated at the church at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, followed by interment in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Michael’s name may be made to Saint Paul the Apostles Church, 181 Preston Road, Denison, TX 75020.
May Father Michael’s memory be eternal!