Growing up during the depression in Canton, Ohio, Traian spent his childhood building model airplanes, playing with his dog "Spider", serving as a crossing guard at school, and getting in trouble with his five siblings – Sylvia, Leo, Lynn, Bill, and Vern. The son of two working class Romanian immigrants, Raveica and Pavel Moga, he and his siblings did what they could to help the family. Troy worked a variety of jobs throughout his youth, his favorites being Mergus Restaurant and the State Theater, where he discovered his lifelong love of Westerns.

Traian graduated from high school in 1943, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He trained as a navigator and was assigned to service in the Pacific Theater (7th Air Force, 11th Bomb Group, 26th Bomb Squadron). After island hopping throughout the South Pacific, he finished his military service in the Occupation Forces, rebuilding Japan.

At the conclusion of the war, Traiain started his automotive career at Chrysler Motors as a draftsman. He rose to be one of the most accomplished front end suspension designers in the city. So much so, that his supervisor took him with him to Ford in 1963. He continued to climb to be a supervisor of his own drafting section. Troy was instrumental in introducing CAD/CAM to his design group, as well as working on the Ford Thunderbird design team.

After being introduced by friends at a dance, Troy and Anna settled down and started their own family, remaining married for over 50 years. They would go on to have many adventures with their three sons, Paul, John (Yehudit), and Tom (Deb).

Always the one to be involved, he and his wife were very active in the Boy Scouts with their sons, and grandsons. He acted as president of the church Men's Club, was an active member of the Church Council and member of the choir with his family for 35 years. A longtime fan of vintage cars, he was an active participant with the local chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America. This hobby now involves the whole family and attending the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village is still a tradition to this day.

Traian loved to read, enjoyed the outdoors, golf, antique cars, and above all, to spend time with his family and grandchildren – Louis, Jacob, Nick, Annie (Nick Podlaha), Joey, Cristina, and Tim.

He was Traian to his parents, Troy to his wife and family, Dad to his sons, and Mosu to his grandchildren. A gentle, loving, and good-natured man – we will miss him.

Private services were held.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Vatra Generations. If you wish to donate, please make your checks payable to "ROEA" and state that it's IMO Traian Moga.

Vatra Generations

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

2535 Grey Tower Road

Jackson, MI 49201