Valeriu Catarama December 10, 1926 ~ June 20, 2009

Valeriu Catarama lived a fulfilled life, full of joys and challenges. The challenges in his life began at the early age of 4, when he lost his father in a train accident while a commuting as a colporteur. Taking on the fatherly duties of sustaining the family at an early age, he worked every odd job he could find, at the Romanian National Railroad Company, as a shepherd, and as a grounds keeper.

At the age of 18, Valeriu's social and religious life changed as he learned of his late father's Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs, married the girl of his dreams, Ileana Lungu, and started a successful family business. They had three children, Dorel, Mioara, and Viorel.

Valeriu became heavily involved in planting/building a home church, along with planting many other surrounding churches. Valeriu's other spiritual roles included: deacon, elder, choir director, youth leader, evangelist. At 56, Valeriu left everything he had worked so hard for in pursuit of his dream of one day living in the U.S. Once again, he was forced to start from nothing. He labored hard to achieve a life for himself and his family and did so successfully. However, he continued to go back to Romania, evangelizing and raising up churches.

At the age of 80, his health, strength, and vitality began to wane. His relentless desire to do God's work and devotion for his family gave him the strength to continue on in life. On Saturday, June 20, 2009, his daughter's birthday, and encircled by his entire family, he gave his last breath back to his beloved Creator.

Valeriu leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Lina, son Dorel, and his wife, Veronica. Son Viorel, and his wife, Michelle. Daugher Mioara. Four grandchildren: Dragos, and his wife, Ramona, Razvan, Michael, and Crystal.

 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation would be appreciated to the Addison Romanian SDA Church (Catarama Trus) 325 S. Addison Road, Addison, Illinois, USA toward the completion of his last unfinished Seventh-Day Adventist church building project in Straminoasa, Romania. Please contact Mircea Olteanu at 630.531.7142 with questions and details for the memorial fund.