The wake for Father Michael J. Troha will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Jan. 9 in Immaculate Conception Church, 37932 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will preside and the Reverend John Chlebo, delegate for senior priests, will be the homilist.
Bishop Martin Amos, bishop emeritus of Davenport, Iowa, will celebrate Father Troha’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 in Immaculate Conception Church. The homilist will be the Reverend Gary Yanus.
Father Troha, 73, died unexpectedly on Jan. 3 in the parish rectory.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1952 to the late Milan Sr. and Gizella (Gardin) Troha.
Father Troha was educated at St. Christine School, Euclid, St. Joseph High School, Cleveland, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on June 7, 1980 by Bishop James Hickey.
Father Troha’s first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of St. Bridget of Kildare Parish, Parma. In addition to this assignment, he served as master of ceremonies for Auxiliary Bishop A. James Quinn. Father Troha served as defender of the bond for the Diocese of Cleveland Tribunal from June 2, 1983 to Jan. 1, 2016.
On Jan. 8, 1985, he was appointed as a staff member for the diocesan mission in El Salvador. He was transferred on June 14, 1989 to serve as parochial vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Cleveland. Father Troha was granted permission to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force 1992-1995.
On Sept. 1, 1995, he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cleveland. Father Troha returned to serve as a staff member at the diocesan mission in El Salvador 2000-2001. On Jan. 15, 2001, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Therese Parish, Garfield Heights. On Aug. 1, 2001, he was transferred to serve as sacramental minister of St. Francis Parish, Cleveland, with residence at St. Boniface Parish, Cleveland.
Father Troha again was granted permission to serve as a U.S. Air Force chaplain 2001-2002. On Aug. 1, 2002, he was appointed administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish.
He was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Willoughby on Feb. 9. 2004. Father Troha was assigned to serve as administrator of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Cleveland on Dec. 3, 2013 and on Dec. 10, 2013, he was named St. Ignatius of Antioch pastor.
On Dec. 1, 2018, Father Troha was named pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Willoughby. During this assignment, he served as administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wickliffe from Sept. 1, 2020 to Sept. 15, 2021. On Sept. 1, 2022, he was appointed administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and on Jan. 15, 2024, Father Troha was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Wickliffe.
Those who knew him said Father Troha will be remembered for his brilliant mind, great sense of humor and pastoral sensitivity to people. They said he was able to heal and bring peace to people in a variety of difficult assignments, pastoring in a steady and gentle way. He also was remembered as a faithful servant to the Church, never saying “no” to any assignments presented to him.
Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon.