Obituary of Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Timpko

The Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Timpko, age 78, beloved husband of Matushka Anastasia Kowal Timpko of Waterbury, fell asleep in the Lord on May 16, 2020, at Griffin Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Centralia, PA on July 9, 1941, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Helen Kellman Timpko. Father Nicholas spent his life devoted to his Orthodox faith and had such grace and compassion in caring for his flock. Following his graduation from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in May 1962, he served parishes in Altoona, Ganister, and Lykens, Pennsylvania; St. Michael’s Church in Chicago, IL where he initiated the relocation of the new church buildings; St. Mary’s Cathedral in Minneapolis, MN; and the parish of Three Saints Church in Ansonia, CT where he served for 27 years, retiring in 2006 and was granted the title Pastor Emeritus. Following his retirement, he continued to serve as a substitute priest for various parishes and assumed pastoral care of St. Mary’s Church in Waterbury, CT. Father Nicholas was versatile in serving as both priest and choir director in his early ministry, celebrating in the Russian, English, Slavonic and Greek languages. His passion was iconography. Father Nicholas carried his faith into every community he served through his chaplaincy roles. At the Hinsdale Hospital, Hinsdale, IL, he was one among the first clergy to complete the Cancer Residency for Clergy. At Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT, he helped to facilitate the chaplaincy program now known as the Pastoral Care Department. He served as Chaplain for the Derby, CT Police Department and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department of NYC. He was among the inaugural leaders in establishing the Fellowship Of Orthodox Churches in Connecticut (FORCC). Father Nicholas served as Dean for the CT Deanery and Chancellor for the Diocese of New England. He was blessed to have worn all the priestly awards including the dignity of being Mitred in 2017. In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by his devoted children, Nicholas Timpko (Jennifer) of Andover, MA and Stacey King (Matthew) of Naugatuck; his sister Mary Suda (Archpriest Paul) of PA and his brother Charles (Patricia) of PA; his cherished grandchildren, Nicholas and Joshua Timpko, Sarah and Gregory Timpko, and Kevin, Matthew and Jason Pimpinelli; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Gregory Timpko; his sisters Matushka Anna Voytilla and Helen Mehalchick; his brother Very Reverend Feodor Timpko. Due to the social restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, all funeral services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to Three Saints Orthodox Church, 26 Howard Avenue, Ansonia, CT 06401; St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 130, South Canaan, PA 18459; or to St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery, 175 St. Tikhons Road, South Canaan, Pennsylvania 18472. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia, is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.