Archpriest Victor Runcanu, 86, parish priest of Three Hierarchs Church here, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, after a brief illness.
Born in Miculeşti, Gorj, Romania on January 14, 1925, Father Victor graduated from the Theological University in Sibiu. On May 1, 1949, he married the former Ileana Celea, which whom he had two children, Mariana and Dumitru. He was ordained to the diaconate on August 1, 1949 and to the priesthood on August 10, 1949, in both instances by His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicolae [Bălan], after which he served parishes in the Metropolitanate of Oltenia. From 1979 until 1986, he served Saint Nicholas parish in Craiova.
After immigrating to the US in 1987, he was attached to holy Trinity Church, Los Angeles, CA, while temporarily serving Holy Cross Mission, Portand, OR. In October 1988, he was transferred to Three Hierarchs Church, Glendale (now Ridgewood), NY.
Survivors include his wife, Preoteasa Ileana, and children Mariana and Dumitru.
The Wake Service will be held on Thursday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Ridgewood, NY. The Divine Liturgy, followed by the Rite of Burial for a Priest, will be celebrated on Friday, June 24, at 8:30 a.m. with His Grace, Bishop Irineu of Dearborn Heights presiding. A memorial meal will follow. Interment will take place, according to Father Victor’s wishes, in his native village in Romania.