Dr. Titus Gabriel Sfirlea

Titus is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Lindy Lea Sfirlea; children, Titus Gabriel Sfirlea II (21) and Zachary Edward Sfirlea (17); parents, Dr. Titus Sfarlea and Maria Sfirlea; brother, Marius Sfirlea and wife, Samantha; nieces, Kaiti and Kristi; and nephew, Kaleb.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 am Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Colonial Baptist Church, 6051 Tryon Road, Cary, NC 27518.

Burial will be in Mt. Zion Gosherts UCC Cemetery in Mt. Zion, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Titus may be made to a faculty scholarship for advanced training, c/o St. David’s School, 3400 White Oak Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Condolences may be sent through: www.brownwynnecary.com

The Man I Married…

Titus and I would have been married 28 years on August 9th 2014. I remember Titus saying to me on the day we got married, “the love I have for you today will not compare to the love I will have for you in the future.” As a young new bride, I remember taking offense to that statement because as a newlywed I couldn’t imagine feeling any more love than I did on my wedding day? The last 4 weeks of Titus’s life was a trial that tested and strengthened our faith as well as a time that proved we experienced a love for each other that was greater than when we married.

Titus Gabriel Sfirlea was born on September 26, 1962 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. As a Christian growing up in a communist country, his faith was tested daily. Having to stand in food lines for hours developed a strong character in Titus. He learned to not get upset when things didn’t go your way. He would often tell me or others, not to worry. If something wasn’t meant to be... then God had a different plan. One door may close but, “Lin… look for the open window,” he would often tell me. Being a Christian in a communist country, privileges were taken away from him and his family. His father was one of the few allowed Romanian-Baptist pastors in the country. Young children were left alone if parents were Christians. But when you got to High School, it was time to make a stand for the communist party. If you chose differently, your opportunity to go onto college was taken away from you. Knowing Titus and his brother Marius would not get the opportunity of a good education, his father chose to defect to the United States. After 3 years of being separated, Titus, his brother and mother were reunited in the United States with their father in December of 1982.

Following his father’s wishes, Titus studied Mathematics and Computer Science in the United States and worked for IBM, Broadband Technologies, Marconi, Parata Systems and Nortel as a computer software engineer. He completed all the course work for a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics and earned a Master of Arts from NC State in European History as well as upon his passing, finalized his dissertation for a Doctorate in Philosophy in Church History from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Titus had a passion for learning that he tried to instill into his students he taught. He was constantly reading, studying or challenging the popular opinion on a given topic. As a member at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, Titus enjoyed substitute teaching the Adult Bible Fellowship class, Devoted 2:42. Having to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ as a young boy in Romania, Titus purposely would challenge our faith by playing the “devil’s advocate.” It was important for Titus, even as he taught our boys, for those to know what they believed and why? God gave Titus an unusual-brilliant mind that many of his students said, “they never met someone smarter than Mr. Sfirlea.”

In early 2000, as one door closed-laid off at Nortel, Titus sought his passion and started teaching high school. Titus taught at Cary Christian High School and for the past 4 years was the Math Chair at St. David’s School in North Raleigh. Titus was happiest in the classroom imparting his knowledge. Not only would he teach his subject material but would find ways of bringing life principles based on the bible into the classroom. If he would see his students making poor choices or not doing right, he would call them out for it! God used Titus in a great way to impact students’ lives for His glory.

Titus, Zack and I lost our best friend and rock on July 17, 2014. Titus may have died at 51 but he had a lasting impact on those he touched whether as a Computer Software Engineer or teacher in the classroom than most do in their lifetime. He was not afraid to stand up for what he believed, he also was not afraid to die. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was solid and God simply loved him more! In the end, as I prayed or pleaded for Titus’s healing, I found that I was able to change my prayers to “God your perfect will be done,” knowing that what gave me that confidence is that we are promised as Christians… “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose; Romans 8:28.” If you see strength in me, please know that my earthly loss is great, but it is God’s daily grace that is giving me the strength I need each day. I am committed to finish raising our boys as Titus would have desired. My priorities are God first, and Titus and Zack 2nd. God is good, he also promises to never leave me nor forsake me. My wish for you is to know that Peace of God that passeth all understanding that Titus, Zack and I are truly experiencing.