'Nobody was a stranger' to passionate, dedicated priest

            Father Cyril Attak, longtime pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Allen Park, Michigan, died April 16; he was 81.     
       
            “He was a very passionate, dedicated priest,” said Father Basil Hutsko. “Nobody was a stranger to him. He was gracious to everybody. He was a people person and he was always available.”

            Father Hutsko befriended Father Attak as a young adult in 1971, before entering seminary. They remained friends for the next 47 years and Father Hutsko preached at Father Attak’s funeral.

            “He was a very good priest and a very good person. You would never be afraid to ask him for something and he would always say yes. He never did anything half-heartedly,” Father Hutsko said, remarking on Father Attak’s generous spirit of service and his faithful visits with his sick parishioners.

            According to chancery records, Father Attak was born in Smyrna, Turkey, present-day Izmir, June 7, 1936, to Sophraxios (Stanley) and Irene (nee Lalidakis Nanos) Attak. He was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith, with two brothers, Bruno and Ronald, and one sister, Helen. He and his family moved to the United States.

            He went to elementary school in Chicago, and high school in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. He attended college at St. Francis University in Burlington, Wisconsin, where he earned a bachelor in arts. He later entered Christ the King Seminary in West Chicago, Illinois, and was ordained for the Roman Catholic Franciscans June 13, 1964. He received biritual faculties in 1965.

            After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Pulaski, Wisconsin (1964-66), and taught at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Saginaw, Michigan (1966-68). He left the Franciscans in 1967, and served as the founding pastor of St. George Parish in Bay City, Michigan (1967-71). During this time, in 1969, he was incardinated in the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. After a year at Byzantine High in Parma, Ohio, Father Attak was assigned pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Munster, Indiana (1972-87). In August 1987, he began his assignment at St. Stephen Parish in Allen Park, where he served faithfully for 30 years until his retirement in 2017.

            According to Horizons files, over the years he earned two master’s degrees from De Paul University in Chicago — one in psychology and the other in history — and a master’s degree in administration from John Carroll University in Cleveland.

            Father Hutsko recalled how Father Attak loved to listen to classical music, work outdoors and play tennis. He said Father Attak began having serious health problems two years ago. He lived at his home in Sumpter Township, Michigan, until his death.

            Visitation was at St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic church in Allen Park April 18. A Parastas service was held that evening. Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, apostolic administrator, celebrated his funeral Divine Liturgy April 19, also held at St. Stephen church; several priests of the eparchy concelebrated. He was interred at Mount St. Macrina Cemetery in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, April 23.

            May God grant his servant the priest Cyril blessed repose and eternal memory.
 
As published in Horizons, May 6, 2018.
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