Archpriest John Ealy of Florida Reposes at Age 90
Archpriest John Ealy, who helped build an Orthodox parish in Central Florida, reposed at age 90 after decades of ministry.
LONGWOOD, FL — Archpriest John Ealy, a longtime priest of the Orthodox Church in America who served for decades at St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, fell asleep in the Lord on March 5, 2026, at the age of 90.
Born Watson Karl Ealy on May 1, 1935, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, he was raised in the Roman Catholic Church but felt drawn to Orthodoxy from a young age. After years as a schoolteacher, he studied theology and was influenced by the teachings of Fr. John Meyendorff and Fr. Alexander Schmemann at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
Fr. John moved to Florida in 1973 and was assigned in 1975 to St. Stephen’s mission near Orlando. Over 27 years as rector, he helped grow the parish from a small group of about 12 faithful into a thriving community of more than 150 members.
Even after retiring in 2002, he continued serving parishes throughout the Diocese of the South and remained devoted to pastoral ministry and teaching.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Fr. Stephanos Anagnostopoulos reposed at 96.
