Protodeacon Edward John Reta of Holy Trinity Church here fell asleep in the Lord on August 14, 2014 at the age of 91.
Protodeacon Edward was a native of Cleveland, OH. Prior to his ordination to the diaconate at the age of 74, Protodeacon Edward served as a lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War. A graduate of Case University and a retiree of GATX, he was a founding member of Holy Trinity Church, where he was involved in almost every aspect of parish life during the past 50 years. His faithfulness to the parish was matched by his willingness to participate in various extra-parochial projects, such as the Fourth All-American Council in 1975, for which he served as lay co-chair. He also was involved and well known throughout the Cleveland area in Pan-Orthodox activities and in the Orthodox Veterans group. For many years he and his wife Alice showed exemplary Christian service by visiting sick and shut-in parishioners, a ministry from which he retired only two years ago.
Protodeacon Edward is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice [nee Mahoney]; daughters and son Alexandra Neal [Byron], Rebekah Thurner [Rob], and Allan Reta; five grandchildren; one great grandson; and two sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Anna Reta, and a sister, Doris Noonan.
Visitation will begin at Holy Trinity Church, 6822 Broadview Road, Parma, OH, at 1:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, August 18. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, August 19, the Divine Liturgy and final prayers will begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Theodosius Cemetery. Donations may be made in Protodeacon Edward’s memory to Holy Trinity Church or the Cleveland Clinic Hospice, 6801 Brecksville Road #10/RK 30, Independence, OH 44131.
May Protodeacon Edward’s memory be eternal!