Deacon Carl Mark Varga

Deacon Carl Mark Varga entered eternal happiness Feb. 12, 2021. Carl joined his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Marie (nee Thamer) Varga, who preceded him in 2011. Carl grew up in the Hungarian neighborhood near Buckey Road and attended grade school at St. Margaret of Hungary. He graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1954, and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from John Carroll University in 1962. Carl was proud of his service in the National Guard from 1956 to 1964, and embarked on a career focused on chemical sales and marketing with Lubrizol, RoCho and ManGill. Following his ordination to Permanent Deaconate in 1980, he served the parishes of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Mentor, Divine Word in Kirtland, and St. Phillip Neri in Cleveland. He found true joy and purpose in his ministry, and was passionate about supporting families. He and Liz devoted many years to Divine Word’s Pre-Cana program and fostered several newborns through Catholic Family Services. Carl was a golf enthusiast, who loved to vacation in Florida with his family and was an avid Browns and Indians fan. He was especially proud of his work with St. Joseph’s House, Christ Child Society, Holy Name Society, and Welcome Home for Inactive Catholics. He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Varga of Long Island, N.Y., Carolyn Moore of Nashville, Tenn., and Kathryn (Michael) Rodio of Mentor; and grandchildren, Zachary, Killian, Bridget, Meagan, Julianne, Meredith, Aaron and Matthew. Vespers will be held Thursday 3 p.m. followed by visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Divine Word Catholic Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland. The Rosary will be 9 a.m. Friday, family receiving friends from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church prior to Mass at 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name are suggested to Joseph House of Cleveland Inc., c/o Divine Word Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 33105. Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.