Rev. Alexander Turoczi Jr, 82, suddenly stepped into the presence of His Savior, on Aug 15, 2024, just 8 short months following the loss of his beloved wife of 57 years, Sallie Edwards Turoczi. Undoubtedly, their reunion began with his predictably typical words, “Hi Honey! I’m home!” And followed with a celebration around the throne of the Almighty with the ‘love of his life’ and precious loved ones.

Official cause of his Homegoing on the beautiful Thursday afternoon of August 15th, is due to coronary artery disease. Following a heart attack 27 years ago, he had placement of 2 stents which lasted longer than many thought possible. Yet, still so extremely sudden & shocking for someone so alive & exuberant….as closest friends so aptly called him. He simply sat down in the front yard after a busy day of errands, mowing & cleaning the pool, followed by a swim and closed his eyes. He then surely and immediately heard the comfortingly sweet words “Welcome Home” from his Heavenly Father whom he faithfully served for 65 years, 58 of which was with loving wife & partner in ministry, who was assuredly standing close by.

Born in Phoenixville, PA on February 25th, 1942, into a completely-Hungarian family, he was the firstborn son of Alexander Turoczi Sr who served in the US Army in WWII, and Jolan “Jennie” Gombos. Alex’s sister Evelyn was born 5 years later. Their father worked for Pottstown Plating Works for 30+ years after serving, and their mother worked at the town knitting mill once the children began elementary school. Their Hungarian grandparents also lived with them and did not speak English. Therefore Alex initially spoke Hungarian while learning English. During these years, he began suffering from a stuttering problem. Then his mother passed away when he was just 14 yrs of age, and his sister was only 9 yrs old. His father quickly remarried a very active member of their (Hungarian) church, Marion Vegso.

Alex’s first life-changing moment took place when he attended Billy Graham’s New York Crusade of 1957 (16 weeks) in Madison Square Garden, and accepted the Lord into his life. The summer before his senior year in high school, Alex began working, while boarding at, Sandy Cove Bible Conference/Retreat Center in North East, MD, and continued there for many summers. He graduated from Phoenixville High School in 1960, the kind of school where he often said, they “won the game, and the fight after.”

That same year, after his second summer at Sandy Cove Ministries, he left for Chicago, IL and began studying Bible/Missions/Theology at Moody Bible Institute. During these years, he spent many hours reading his speeches & verses out loud, slowly, in front of a mirror which minimized his stutter. He also worked part time for United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport. He graduated from Moody in 1963, and moved to Briarcliff Manor, NY, where he attended The King’s College. And subsequently met his beloved bride, Sallie Edwards.

Alex & Sallie were married in 1967, his second life-changing moment, & they devoted their lives to full time ministry, based on the 1957 best-selling book ‘Through Gates of Splendor’ which they both had read separately and which inspired each to become full-time missionaries, before even meeting. Written by Elisabeth Elliot, the book explores faith, sacrifice & forgiveness with the true account of the five young missionaries who were savagely killed while trying to establish communication with the Auca Indians of Ecuador…from the viewpoint of one of the widowed wives. This story, book & writings of Elisabeth Elliot, along with her husband’s quote “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." became the foundation on which they stood throughout their lives of service to the Lord.

Initially, Alex pastored Brigantine Bible Church, Brigantine, NJ for two years with his bride being the in-house soloist, and her widowed mother being the pianist. The mission organization they chose was Trans World Radio, with world headquarters in Cary, NC, which sent them to Monte Carlo, Monaco (1 of 8 stations worldwide), in order for Alex to work in the Hungarian Department. During this time, he enjoyed traveling to many countries surrounding France (Norway & Switzerland being favorites), driving the Autobahn, and learning about Formula One Racing, which closed the streets/schools/businesses of Monaco for the last week of May each year. Alex enjoyed photography & was given a press-pass each year, allowing him to be in the racing Pits to see the action first-hand. Alex also enjoyed playing basketball in an adult basketball league during some of their 9 years stationed there.

Alex was then asked to fill an immediate need in Guam for 2 years, as the On-Air DJ for the TWR Christian AM radio station, during which time he enjoyed the tropical weather, survived several typhoons & earthquakes, and grew to love the small 30 mile-long & 9 mile-wide island.

 TWR then sent Alex & his family stateside to Ocean City, NJ in order to represent mission at church conferences/colleges along the east coast. During this time, he returned to school and received his Moody Bible Institute Undergrad Degree in 1980.

After 8 years they moved to Lancaster County PA, and found a comforting home and retreat in their church, Lancaster Alliance Church…which consistently supported them through many years of service and involvement. They loved all those they met there, with whom they shared life. Additionally, they joined in several of their church sponsored 2-week missions trips with dear friends, back to Alex’s homeland of Hungary, to assist with children’s summer camps at Word Of Life Hungary. One such trip, in June 2019, included 3 of their 4 grandchildren joining them in service to Hungarian children, and quickly became an important highlight of their lives. Alex also became Director of Leadership Training Program, a 2-week Boy's Camp at Camp Sankanac, Spring City, PA for 22 years…training 15-18 yr old young men, who most served as Camp Sankanac counselors after their training. Would also pull double-duty as ‘Missionary of the Week’ for the first week of Boys Camp. He also was Golf Coach at Lancaster Christian School, Lancaster PA, winning many tournaments for several years. He then enjoyed being a part-time Driver at Manheim Auto Auction for 16 years.

Alex always had a smile, laughed often & sometimes for no reason at all, loved warm weather, perfectly clear days for a round of golf, 50s & 60s music and many Worship songs, singing harmony with his wife, or breaking out in song-randomly & loudly, cheering on the Eagles & Phillies, swimming in his backyard pool, enjoying family & friends, especially his Saturday morning Men’s Bible Study (at Lancaster Alliance Church) & breakfast -both of which he never missed, and preaching/sharing about what the Lord has so miraculously done for all of us….a gift we just need to receive, to spend eternity with Him! Despite living on minimal missionary income for many years, my father & mother made the best of it in each location, and consistently gave back to the Lord, teaching us that we “can not outgive the Lord!” They thoroughly succeeded in making this quote from Elisabeth Elliot’s “Through Gates of Splendor,” their existential journey: “I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”

Alex is survived by his beloved sister Evelyn Wrzosek married to Jerome; his children Lori Turoczi, Michael Turoczi married to Denise (Spangler), and his grandchildren Matthew, engaged to Leilani (Henson), Sheridan, Ethan & Ella…all of whom he loved deeply, more than he could express.

Alex’s family will be having a Memorial Service Aug 31 at 1PM, at Lancaster Alliance Church to celebrate his Homegoing…”through gates of splendor,” praising the Lord as he would want us to do. We miss you terribly, Dad!

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