Petru Darabut

Petru Dărăbuț, 89 years old. Loving son, brother, husband and father

Petru was born the youngest of three children to Emanuel and Maria Dărăbuț in Pesac, Jud. Timiș, on August 1st, 1936. His journey ended on this earth on June 29th, 2026, to join our Lord in eternity. Petru is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vioara, his children Mirela and Sorin along with their families, nephews and nieces. His focus in life was to provide for his family, keep them safe, and to make sure that his two children had a future in America that was not possible in communist Romania. He lived a simple life, served the Lord and will be dearly missed by the ones who had the pleasure of knowing him.

As a young man, he served in the Romanian military, in the tank division while he always enjoyed tinkering with mechanics. After his military service, he worked in farming as a tractor driver/mechanic. He attended a vocational school, learned to be a machinist and later on, he attended specialty school to further his education and advance in leadership positions.

Petru married Vioara on May 21st, 1960, in Șofronea, jud. Arad. While living in Arad he attended the Baptist church Șega pastored by brother Cocian Marțian and then later brother Chiu Pavel. To escape the communist regime in Romania, Petru and the family emigrated to the United States in 1981 and started the American dream.

While living in Chicago he attended the Romanian Baptist church pastored by brother Alexa Popovici. In Chicago he started work as a mechanic until he was presented with an opportunity to move to California and work as a machinist retrofitting parts for the rocket boosters that pushed the Space Shuttle into orbit.

While working his full-time job, he helped his wife establish and open Vioara’s Bakery, a well-known bakery in the Romanian community.

While living in California he attended the Romanian Baptist church pastored by brother Pitt Popovici, and later brother Liviu Olah, followed by brother Liviu Țiplea.

In 1999 Petru retired and moved to Hollywood, Florida and attended the Romanian Baptist church pastored by brother Teofil Talpeș.

In 2004 Petru moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he resided until his passing.

From 2007 until 2019, Petru was a part time resident of the greater Atlanta area, attended the First Romanian Baptist Church of Atlanta pastored by brother Titi and brother Cristian Cocian, however his primary residence remained in Jacksonville Florida.

Petru was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother and sister.