Bishop Louis Puscas 1915 - 2009 Bishop Louis Puscas, 94, of Aurora, IL. passed away Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Provena Mercy Medical Center. He was born September 13, 1915 in Aurora. Bishop Puscas studied for the Romanian Byzantine Church priesthood under the patronage of the Latin Rite Diocese of Rockford, IL, studying for two years in Romania, two years in Rome, Italy and two years at the Benedictine Seminary in Lisle, IL. During his last year in the seminary, he was transferred to the care of the Latin Rite Diocese of Erie, PA. He was ordained a priest on Ascension Thursday, May 14, 1942 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pennsylvania by the Most Reverend Basil Tach, Bishop of the Ruthenian Byzantine Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most Reverend John Mark Gannon, Archbishop of the Latin Rite Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania appointed Father Louis as Pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Farrell, PA and of St. George Church in Erie, PA. Both churches belonged to the Romanian Byzantine Church and were under the care of the Latin Rite Diocese of Erie, PA. In 1960 Father Louis received permission from Rome to serve also in the Latin Rite. On May 23, 1960 Father Louis was transferred to Gannon College, Erie, PA as a member of the staff and became Dean of Students and Athletic Director. On February 1, 1965, Father Louis, after serving twenty three years in the Diocese of Erie, was granted permission to return to his home Diocese of Rockford for parish assignment. He was appointed Pastor of St. George Church in Aurora, Illinois where he served 18 ½ years, and was very instrumental in the erection and organization of St. George Church as it exists today. Father Louis was consecrated Bishop on June 26, 1983 at St. John the Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan by Archbishop of Rome, Italy, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of Saints. Pope John Paul II of fond memory appointed Bishop Louis as the first Bishop of the newly created Romanian Byzantine Diocese of Canton, Ohio. He was retired on July 15, 1993. Emeritus Bishop Louis left Canton, OH on September 1, 1993 and retired to Aurora, IL. Bishop Louis is survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Puscas; his nephews: Stephen (Suzanne) Puscas, Michael (Colleen) Puscas, Louis (Cathy) Puscas, Victor (Elizabeth) Puscas, John Anthony Kish and Edward Kish; his nieces, Mary (Richard) McCarthy and Julie (Gary) Feltes; and numerous grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Emma (Terebesi) Puscas; two sisters, Sister Emily Puscas, O.S.F. and Mary (John) Kish; and by his brother, Victor Puscas. Concelebrated Pontifical Services will be offered on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at St. Michael Church at 10:00 AM followed by Funeral Services at 11:30 AM with Most Rev. Bishop John Michael Botean as Principal Celebrant assisted by Very Rev. Aurel Pater. Interment will be in the clergy section of St. Michael Cemetery. Lying-in-state visitation will be Tuesday, October 6 from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM, with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM, at St. Michael Church, 609 N. Lincoln Av., Aurora. Memorial contributions may be made to the Romanian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Canton, Ohio and to St. Michael Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church, Aurora, IL. Arrangements are being handled by The Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora. 630/631-5500 or visit our website at www.daleidenmortuary.com.
Published in Beacon News from October 5 to October 6, 2009