Father Marcel Szabo, 81, Former Priest of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church

Father Marcel was born Ludwig Szabo in Lorain, Ohio on September 9, 1944, the son of the late Joseph and Anna (nee Mendzenoff) Szabo.

Discerning a vocation to the Religious life, he entered the Order of Saint Basil the Great of St. Josaphat where he attended St Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. Following graduation, he was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on July 11, 1971 at St Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Lorain, Ohio by Bishop Michael J. Dudick. As a Basilian Father, he offered liturgical and pastoral assistance throughout the Eparchy of Passaic including: Temporary Administrator of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey (1972), Director of the Byzantine Catholic Youth, Trenton District (1973), Temporary Administrator of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Perth Amboy (1974), Administrator of Holy Cross Byzantine Catholic Church, New York City (1974-1978), Director of Byzantine Catholic Youth, Coastal States (1975), and Pastor of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut (1978-1989).

Discerning that he could better serve the Lord through full-time pastoral ministry, he left the Basilian Order in 1984 and was incardinated as a priest in the Eparchy of Passaic. He continued to serve as pastor of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut until 1989 when he was appointed Rector of St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Passaic, New Jersey. Arriving at St Michael’s Cathedral in 1989, Father Marcel prepared for the milestone celebration of the Cathedral’s Centennial Anniversary in 1990. This included the renovation and restoration of all properties and grounds, as well as the spiritual and pastoral preparation of the parish. Remarkably, Father Marcel’s time at St Michael's Cathedral spanned the tenure of four eparchial bishops. During his twenty-six years at St Michael Cathedral, Father Marcel not only cared for the parish and its properties, but also the community at large. This was symbolized by an annual procession through the streets of Passaic with Our Lady of Passaic Icon, donated by Bishop Dudick.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Marcel also served as Protopresbyter, Syncellus, Consultor, Member of the Eparchial Cemetery Commission, and Member of the Advisory Committee of the Heritage Museum and Library of the Eparchy of Passaic. During this time, he also offered administrative and pastoral care to Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church in Mahwah, New Jersey as well as Holy Wisdom Church in Flanders, New Jersey.

In recognition of his dedication, Bishop Kurt elevated him to the dignity of Mitred Archpriest on September 14, 2014. Father Marcel continued to serve at St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral until 2015 when he was appointed Pastor of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Bayonne, New Jersey, Administrator of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Administrator of St George Byzantine Catholic Church in Newark, New Jersey. He retired from full-time priestly ministry in 2018.

Father Marcel enjoyed visiting parishes, priests, and participating in church activities in his retirement, until health concerns curtailed his activity.

In addition to his parents, Father Marcel was preceded in death by his siblings Nicholas, Anthony, Paul, George, Joseph, Rosalyn (Nadasady), and Margaret (Wilson), along with cousins Theresa Connolly and Chris Hansen.

He is survived by siblings Michael, Doris (Reynolds), Donald, and Theodore as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A Parastas service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 17th in St Mary Magdalene Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, 5390 West 220th Street, Fairview Park. The Office of Christian Burial for a Priest will be observed on Wednesday February 18th beginning with visitation in St. Mary Magdalene from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Prayer of Absolution and Pouring of Oil at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery 555 North Ridge Road Lorain.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. To share your memories and condolences with Fr. Marcel’s family, please visit his tribute page at www.gluvnashimohromada.com.