Monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey
Latrobe, Pennsylvania (USA)
Born: 9 February 1927
Professed: 17 November 1956
Died: 25 July 2019
Brother Stephen Nazaruk OSB, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died peacefully in the monastic infirmary on Thursday, 25 July 2019.
He was born on 9 February 1927 in West Leechburg, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Thomas Nazaruk and Tekla (Giworonik) Nazaruk. His parents were from a small village in Ukraine. Nearly everyone from their home village came to the United States and settled in West Leechburg. He was predeceased by his siblings, including Metro, Annie Zanotti, John, Michael and Mary Nazaruk. Surviving are four nieces.
Brother Stephen attended West Leechburg Elementary School and was a 1945 graduate of Leechburg High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1950 to 1952. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the Army Air Section in Trieste, Italy during the Korean Conflict. While in Italy, he saw Pope Pius XII on two occasions, once when the pontiff received American soldiers at the Vatican and again when the pope canonized Saint Maria Goretti in 1950.
Following his discharge from the Army, Brother Stephen pursued a monastic vocation with the Trappists at Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Mexico. He came to Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1954 and made profession of monastic vows on 17 November 1956.
At Saint Vincent Archabbey, he worked in the machine shop starting in 1954, becoming head of the department in 1981. He joined the Saint Vincent Fire Department in 1963. He served as the assistant fire chief (1967-2001) with his friend and fellow monk, Brother Patrick Lacey, who was fire chief. One of his roles with the Fire Department was monitoring fire alarms on campus, which he did faithfully for many years. He was a member of the Westmoreland County Fire Chiefs Association, chairing its education program; the Westmoreland County Firemen’s Association; the Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania and the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association. Brother Stephen assisted Brother Patrick in hosting the Annual Westmoreland County Fire School for many years, where he also served as an instructor in firefighting.
The body of Brother Stephen was received at the Elizabeth Roderick Center at Saint Vincent Archabbey at 2 p.m. on Sunday, 28 July. Viewing followed from 2 to 5 p.m. in the center’s parlor. His body was transferred to the Basilica for the Vigil Service at 7:15 p.m. that Sunday.
Father Prior Earl Henry, O.S.B., provided the eulogy at the Vigil Service, and Archabbot Douglas Nowicki served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 29 July 2019 in the Archabbey Basilica.
The rite of committal followed in Mary, Mother of Mercy Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery immediately following the Mass.
We ask that you remember Brother Stephen in your prayers.
MAY FLIGHTS OF ANGELS SING THEE TO THY REST
+Douglas R. Nowicki OSB, Archabbot
Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania (USA)