Traian Ioan Popa

Traian Ioan Popa, also known as Ionut, John, Johnny, was born in Romania, Europe, in a town close to the crossroads of 3 countries: Romania, Hungary and Serbia. He grew up in this small town where Romanians, Serbians, Hungarians, Germans lived harmoniously for hundreds of years. In 1989, when he was 13 years old, to escape the Romanian regime at that time, he with his family moved to United States, under political asylum program.

John was the son of Ioan Popa and Lucretia Popa, one of the founding families of St Anne Romanian Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his siblings: Florica, Ileana, Viorel, Gheorghe, were the first children to go Christmas caroling starting in December of 1989 to the very few orthodox Christian families in Jacksonville, Florida.

He grew up to be an individual who touched many lives in a positive way with his gentle soul, kindness, patience, love and hard work.

He married Lenuta Popa in 2014. They loved and respected each other and spent time together visiting John’s favorite places in St Augustine and Jacksonville Riverside. He loved fishing on the river and ocean.

John loved and was loved by his parents, grandmother, his siblings, Florica, Ileana, Viorel, Gheorghe and by his wife Lenuta, parents-in-law, sister-in-law and nephew.

He loved people, and people loved him.

Jesus, our Lord and Savior was part of his daily life. His favorite psalm in the bible was: Psalm 23, King James Version

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

A visitation will be held at St. Anne Romanian Orthodox Church, 1875 Live Oak Dr, Jacksonville, FL on September 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm. A funeral service will also be held at St. Anne Romanian Orthodox Church, 1875 Live Oak Dr, Jacksonville, FL on September 15, 2026, at 11:00 am, followed by a committal service at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL on September 15, 2026, at 1:00 pm.