Father Michael J. Troha, a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland whose ministry was marked by quiet faithfulness, pastoral sensitivity, and steady generosity, died unexpectedly on January 3 at the parish rectory. He was 73 years old.

Father Troha was born on December 29, 1952, to the late Milan Sr. and Gizella (Zardin) Troha.

He was educated at St. Christine School in Euclid and attended St. Joseph High School in Cleveland for two years before transferring to Borromeo High School. He continued his studies at Borromeo College, earning his undergraduate degree, and later received his graduate degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Father Troha completed his priestly formation at Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland and was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on June 7, 1980, by Bishop James Hickey.

Following ordination, Father Troha was appointed parochial vicar of St. Bridget of Kildare Parish in Parma. He later served as parochial vicar at St. Therese Parish in Garfield Heights. Early in his priesthood, he also served as master of ceremonies for Auxiliary Bishop A. James Quinn. Beginning in 1983, he served the Diocese of Cleveland Tribunal as defender of the bond, a position he held faithfully until 2016.

His ministry included service as a staff member of the diocesan mission in El Salvador, where he served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and later at Immaculate Conception in El Salvador. He was eventually named pastor of Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish in Zaragoza, El Salvador, deepening his commitment to missionary service and the people he served there.

Father Troha also served his country as a chaplain in the United States Air Force during two separate periods of active duty. He served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm and was later recalled to active duty following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Upon returning to diocesan ministry, Father Troha served as parochial vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Cleveland, later becoming administrator of the parish. He also served as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cleveland, sacramental minister of St. Francis Parish in Cleveland, and as administrator and later pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Cleveland.

Father Troha’s relationship with Immaculate Conception Parish in Willoughby spanned two separate pastoral assignments, totaling 17 years of service. He was first appointed pastor on February 9, 2004, serving the parish for many years before being called to other diocesan responsibilities. In December 2018, he returned to Immaculate Conception as pastor. During this later assignment, he also served as administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Wickliffe from September 2020 through September 2021. He was again appointed administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in September 2022 and was named pastor there on January 15, 2024.

Those who knew Father Troha remember him as kind, compassionate, generous, and deeply faithful to the Church. He was known for his brilliant mind, gentle leadership, and subtle sense of humor that often revealed itself quietly. He never declined an assignment and brought steadiness and peace to even the most challenging pastoral situations.

Outside his priestly ministry, Father Troha was devoted to his family and cherished time spent sharing meals with friends. He loved his cats, enjoyed reruns of Leave It to Beaver and The Andy Griffith Show, and found comfort in routine. A former football player and marathon runner, he maintained discipline throughout his life. He especially enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas—a destination he returned to often—and he never met a Hawaiian island he didn’t love.

Father Troha is survived by his siblings: Milan (Janet) Troha Jr., Mark (Carol) Troha, Catherine (Michael) Gorman, Mary Jane (Tom) Galliher, Joseph (Diane) Troha, Carol (Bob) DeMinico, Peter (Nancy) Troha, and Christine (Patrick) Leneghan; nieces and nephews Janice Troha, Mel (Rachel) Troha, Mark (Michelle) Troha, Amanda (Andrew Admadi) Troha, Michael (Samantha Hackerson) Troha, Daniel Gorman, Tom Galliher, Paul Galliher, Jim (Dana) Galliher, Katie Troha, Nick Troha, Andrew (Alexandra) Troha, Matthew (Chrissy) DeMinico, Jennifer (Chris) Garisek, Patrick Leneghan, Grace Leneghan, Connor Leneghan, and Mary Leneghan; great-nieces and nephews Emma Smallwood, Ray Troha, Madeline Troha, Brooklyn Troha, Aubrey Troha, Nick Ahmadi, Mila Jane Galliher, Annie DeMinico, Tony DeMinico, Dominic DeMinico, Vinny DeMinico, Bobby DeMinico, Rose DeMinico, Joe Garisek, Josh Garisek and Luke Garisek; and his dear friend, Kathryn Haag.

The wake for Father Michael J. Troha will begin with Vespers at 3 p.m. on January 9 at Immaculate Conception Church, 37940 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will preside, with Father John Chlebo, delegate for senior priests, serving as homilist. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on January 10 at Immaculate Conception Church, with Bishop Martin Amos, Bishop Emeritus of Davenport, Iowa, as celebrant and Father Gary Yanus as homilist.

Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Father Troha may be made to the Catholic University School of Philosophy;

St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, California; the endowment fund for Immaculate Conception Church in Willoughby; or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wickliffe.

Father Michael J. Troha will be remembered as a faithful servant of the Church, a devoted brother and uncle, and a steady, gentle presence whose ministry brought healing and peace to many.

To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.