Stephen Peter Paul Loya

Stephen Peter Paul Loya, age 91, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday evening January 5, 2018 at his residence. He was born on July 8, 1926 in Lyndora PA the eldest son of 17 children of Rev. Stephen and Pani Margaret Boksay Loya. He was the Patriarch of the family. Stephen received his elementary education in Portage, PA. During the Depression year of 1932, he traveled with his mother and 4 siblings to live with Grandparents and attended school for one year in Hust, Ukraine, as conditions were more accommodating. In 1944 his priestly father was transferred to Duquesne, PA. Stephen graduated from Duquesne High School in 1945, 6 months early due to war conditions. He enlisted into the Army Air Corp and was assigned as a radio technician.  He served in Germany as part of the Occupational Force and upon discharge in 1946 studied television engineering. He was employed by Motorola and Zenith companies and co-owned a TV repair business in Chicago, IL until his retirement in 1974, when he moved to his parent’s home in Dawson, PA to care for them. A true and proud patriot of his country, he supported the AmVets, law enforcement, civic and humanitarian agencies. He attended the St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perryopolis faithfully until his health so prevented.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: 3 sisters 2 who died at infancy and Mary Najeski; 5 brothers: Frank, Paul, Rev. John, Joseph and Michael T. He is survived by 5 brothers: Andrew of Dawson, Eugene (Nickolette) of FL, Theodore of NJ, Rev. Daniel of Dawson and Lawrence (Bernadette) of FL; 3 sisters: Helen Hvasta of Fl, Anna Jane (Thomas) Petty of NJ and Kathleen (Robert) Killian of OH; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the States and in Europe.

Stephen’s family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.in the Blair-Lowther Funeral Home, 305 Rear Independence Street, Perryopolis, PA. Parastas will be celebrated at 7 p.m.

On Friday, January 12 Stephen will be transferred to the St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Perryopolis where a viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. the hour of Divine Liturgy of the Deceased, celebrated by Rev. Oleh Seremchuk and clergy of the family. Interment will follow in Mount Saint Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown, PA.

Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 12 Railroad Street, Perryopolis, PA 15473.

Eternal rest, grant to your servant Stephen, O Lord, and make his memory eternal.

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