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JOHNSTOWN, PA – With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Paul Herbert, age 83, on Sunday, August 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pani Eleanor Jean (Blaschak) Herbert; daughters Ruth Ann Herbert of Lansford and Claudia (Ernest) Pido of Mount Vernon, OH; grandchildren EJ, Kaitlin and Jacob of OH; brother John Herbert of Nesquehoning; brother-in-law Very Rev. Fr. Thomas (Magdelyn) Blaschak of Greenville, PA; sister-in-law Carolyn Duranko of Tewksbury, MA; also several nieces and nephews and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Herbert; brother George and sister Mary.
Fr. Paul was born in Lansford, PA and served in the United States Air Force as a crew member on a B-36 Bomber. Upon discharge from the Air Force he began his studies at Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, PA. After his marriage to the former Eleanor Jean Blaschak, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the late Metropolitan Orestes of thrice-blessed memory. In his five decades of priestly service in the Holy Orthodox Church, Fr. Paul faithfully served numerous parishes, including St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, PA, where he was pastor from 1985 until 2004. In retirement he provided assistance to area clergy and remained active in the life of the church, assisting in the establishment of Holy Cross Orthodox (missionary) Church in Columbus, OH.
Friends will be received at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Homestead, PA, Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 2 p.m. until time of Priest Funeral Service at 7 p.m., Bishop Gregory of Nyssa presiding. Friends will also be received at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Lansford, PA, Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 2 – 4 p.m. and continuing at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning, PA, Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 6 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. John Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning, PA, Thursday at 10 a.m.
May our good God grant blessed repose and rest eternal to His faithful servant, the newly-departed servant, The Priest Paul and render eternal his memory, vicnaja jemu pamjat!
