COLCHESTER, CT – While enjoying a fitness swim as he often did, Deacon Michael Puscas closed his eyes upon this world for the last time the afternoon of Sunday, November 7th, 2021.

While we, his family announce his sudden yet peaceful passing with profound sorrow, we find greater comfort and consolation in words of the Homily he preached that same morning – on the importance of being ready to meet the Lord when He calls us. Our shared faith tells us that Michael reopened his eyes in the real and true presence of God, gazing upon his new and eternal Heavenly home.

Born May 2, 1953 in Aurora, IL and raised there, he was a son of Barbara (Buettgen) Puscas of Aurora, IL and the late Victor Puscas. Michael was a graduate of Marmion (Military) Academy in Aurora; a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory high school for young men dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Instructional Technology and his Doctorate degree in Education from Northern Illinois University.

Early on, Michael worked as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, protecting Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan, and in doing so, received a special award for achieving peaceful resolutions to potentially violent situations. The majority of his “secular” career was spent in the electric industry; he was currently a Standards Compliance Manager for ISO-New England in Holyoke, MA. A gifted visionary, Michael earned national recognition as a leader in his field.

Work paid the bills, but there were two great love affairs that truly enveloped Michael’s life – which he believed both divinely-inspired. The first - for God and His Church – was fostered and nurtured from his birth; while the second began when he married his best friend and the love of his life, the former Colleen Metternich on Sept. 29, 1979. Their union and the family they would create was truly like a fairy tale! That story included countless God given talents, which Michael always shared with humility.

Along with their young family, Colleen and Michael relocated to Colchester in the early 1990’s and found their new spiritual home at St. Andrew Church in Colchester. Michael was a brother with Francis Cardinal Spellman Knights of Columbus Council 6107 and was active with the ACTS Men’s Retreat movement. He served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister and catechist to name just a few of his ministries. However, he, as two of his brothers also have, felt a deeper calling to serve God and His people – a call to ordained ministry. Michael began his theological studies at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT and journey toward Diaconate.

Raised in the Romanian Catholic tradition, the Rev. Deacon Michael Puscas was ordained in the Byzantine Catholic Eastern Rite at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, CT on June 11, 2005. A bi-ritual deacon, he serves with faculties not only in the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Canton, OH, but also the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, CT as well as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich. In addition to serving as Director of Deacons for the Diocese of Norwich, his parish assignments include the newly-formed Guardian Angels Parish – serving St. Andrew Church, Colchester and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lebanon, CT; as well as St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Colchester. From Healing and Prison Ministries, to three mercy trips to Haiti, to hosting countless numbers of spiritual workshops, his gifts and talents were now really at work! In addition to his warm, soothing orator’s voice, (which some said sounded like the voice of God) he could sing just as masterfully. Over the years, he thoroughly enjoyed acting and singing with both the Colchester Community and East Lyme (CT) Regional Theaters, as well as in St. Andrew’s annual Passion Play. He was also an accomplished, self-taught woodworker. He lent his carpentry skills generously, often building beautiful furniture from scratch. On mission trips to Haiti, he gave that same attention to detail to one-room houses and other structures benefiting the Haitian Health Foundation and the greater community of Jeremie, Haiti.

He leaves to mourn his loss but forever cherish his love and memory his beloved wife of 42 years, Colleen; their four children, whom have made them both so incredibly proud – Alexa Sifuentes (and her husband, Paul) of Indianapolis, IN; Blair Puscas of New York City; Emily Toole (and her husband, Robert) of Geneva, Switzerland and Julia Eckrich (and her husband, Andrew) of Noblesville, IN; eight adored (and adorable) grandchildren, Luke, Victoria, Peter, Natalie, Regina, Maximilian, Augusta, Andre; four siblings, Deacon Steve Puscas (and his wife, Sue) of Nebo, NC, Mary McCarthy (and her husband, Richard) of Madison, CT, Louie Puscas (and his wife, Cathy) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Deacon Vic Puscas (and his wife, Elizabeth) of Yorkville, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and faithful.

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36)

All Funeral Services will be observed at Guardian Angels Parish – St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, with visitation from 3 to 7 PM Thursday (Nov. 11th) and the Celebration of the Funeral Liturgy at 10:30 AM Friday (Nov. 12th). The Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, will be Principal Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his memory be made to the Haitian Health Foundation, 97 Sherman St., Norwich, CT 06360 (www.haitianhealthfoundation.org)

Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

Source: https://www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com/obituary/DeaconMichael-Puscas