Obituary of Pastorel Margeanu

Pastorel “Relu” Margeanu was born on February 20, 1953, in Gura Vaii, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania.  He was the 2^nd child of 4 from a family of Christian background who taught and instilled in him a deep love and reverence for Jesus Christ.  He grew up with stories of his grandfather establishing a small church in his own home and adopting orphaned street kids to actively demonstrate God’s love. His grandfather and parents created a legacy of faith that was passed on to Relu.  In 1972, at the age of 19, Relu publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ through baptism.

The Lord was at work in Relu’s life when He orchestrated the meeting of two very opposite personalities and molded them to compliment each other so well they were inseparable.  On August 12^th 1979, Relu married Doina Toma from Pascani, Romania and together they had 3 children. 

Relu’s original occupation was working in Accounting and Administration in Romania. After immigrating to the United States in 1982 he had to utilize the skills in stone-work and granite craftsmanship he learned as a boy helping his father, Gheorghe Margeanu, fabricating granite millstones and building crypts.  He continued the craft of stonework for the rest of his career in the United States to support his family and worked hard throughout his life modeling a strong work ethic to all that knew him. He loved the Lord and served others selflessly. 

Because of the heavy-hand of communist oppression, especially against the Baptist community and the hardships endured, Relu and his older brother Doru Margeanu filed for approval to immigrate to the United States of America for themselves and their entire extended family.  After a 2 year wait and increased pressure and persecution by the Communist Party, Relu and his family were granted the right to leave the country, stripped of citizenship and branded as traitors.  With the help and sponsorship of Biserica Baptista, in San Leandro, California pastored by Avram Botan, Relu and his family started their new life and journey in America.

In 1983, Relu and his extended family moved to New York City for better job opportunities where they remained for 2 years. He then moved his family for the final time and established himself in Atlanta, Ga. in 1985.  After arriving in Atlanta, Relu and his family became active members in the newly formed church, First Romanian Baptist Church of Atlanta pastored by Martian Cocian, and have been active members since.   

In 2020, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness which caused him and his family much suffering and sorrow until the Lord called him home on April 18, 2021. He is no longer suffering, but he is in the presence of the Lord and of those who went before him.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Doina, his 3 children, David, Robert, Magdalena, his mother Petrica, his 3 siblings, Doru, Doina, and Daniel, and their extended families. 

Relu loved his children, grandchildren and his beloved wife dearly and demonstrated this through his lifelong selfless acts of hard work and dedication to provide for them any way he could.  He was a role-model for so many, not only through strong work-ethics, but through his faithfulness to God.  He loved to laugh and found a friend in everyone he met.

You will be missed, our dear husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend.  We will see you again in glory, next to our Lord.

The Margeanu family

Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 12 Noon at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Cristian Cocian will officiate. Interment will follow at Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens. An evening service will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 from 7:30 – 9 PM at the funeral home. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Relu at hamiltonmillchapel.com