Mr. Gus Roman, a Wyncote resident, longtime pastor emeritus and civil rights leader, and veteran passed away on Wednesday, April 23 of age-associated decline at Jefferson Abington Hospital. He was 92.

Mr. Roman ministered in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, New Orleans, South Africa, and elsewhere for more than 60 years, his obituary said. An excerpt:

He worked closely for decades with the Rev. Leon Sullivan at Zion and the Opportunities Industrialization Center, and Sullivan told the Daily News in 1988 that the Rev. Roman was “one of the greatest preachers in the country.” He was chair of the board for OIC International, and he and Sullivan expanded the job-training program to 80 chapters in the United States and 12 in Africa. “He’s just the best that could be found,” Sullivan said.

On most Sundays, the Rev. Roman used his baritone voice for what The Inquirer, in a 1996 story about inspiring local preachers, called a “resonant delivery” of his sermons. He won an oratory competition in high school by examining religion as an empirical science, and a fellow pastor said: “His sermons lived and breathed.”

In 2022, his achievements were recognized by the Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners via the proclamation below:

Visitation with the family is to be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Zion Baptist Church, 3600 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, and 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Salem Baptist Church of Abington, 2741 Woodland Rd., Abington. A celebration of his life is to follow Friday.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Photo: The Philadelphia Inquirer