Father George Memorial

Memories of times we have shared with Father George

Please use the discussion below to share your memories.
Like and reply, if you have any photos, tell us about the special occasion and we can add them to the slider.

Hands

Blessing of Hands

The significance of this blessing was not lost on the young adults of the youth group. Those blessing hands, those working hands were passing on both his faith and his service.

Quote

The life of the one we love will never be lost.

Its influence will go on through all the lives it ever touched

Slide 2

Joining in the fun and games with the 3in1 Youth Group

This was a game of “Catch the Oreo” (other baked comestibles are available). The object of the game is to move the biscuit from ones forehead to mouth without using hands, arms, feet, etc. We have this on video as well!

Slide 1

Garden Crown

A double seal of approval from the two Rockin’ Robins
The box crown was decorated for the feast of Christ the King and the the visiting dignitaries caught on camera

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Slide 3

Music Night

Music was his joy.
This was one of the monthly music nights with the boys and girls in the band.

Slide 1

Blockwork at Holy Cross

The fire escape door at the back of the sacristy had to be removed. So, old door out, double skin blockwork and second hand window to fill the void.
External wall rendered and painted.

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Slide 3

Good head for heights

Always careful but not timid he sometimes needed a reminder to make full use of the safety equipment available.

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Diane Brewster

I’ve only just heard about George’s death, such sad news. He and I were students together at Heythrop in the 70’s and he was a very kind and supportive friend to me, a young northern girl, straight from school and a bit lost in the midst of all the big Jesuit brains! I know I was not the only one to get that kind of support and friendship from him.

I remember when he passed his driving test for the motorbike and took me out as his first passenger. It was my first, and last, trip on the back of a motorbike, thank you for the experience George, but not one I ever wanted to repeat again! We lost touch after university (no social media in those days) but I would occasionally hear of him through other ex Heythrop friends who came across him in parishes and schools that he was involved in. I was having coffee with one such friend yesterday and we were catching up with “whatever happened to…?” and George’s name came up – so I googled to see where he was now and saw this sad news.

All of the stories and memories are so true to the George that I knew back then, so pleased for him that he had such a fulfilling life and such a close set of friends.

My condolences to his mum and family and all those who loved him, he obviously will leave a big gap in a lot of people’s lives.

Ian Quarless

I have played my guitar all my life but you started me on this journey.
I’ve played in choirs in many parts of the world and continue to do so here in Ireland. I thank God you came into my life when i was in junior school on the Ford Estate.
I’ve tought many to play guitar and in each of them is a part of you because in me there remains a part of you.
Rest in peace my dear inspirational friend and i look forward to honoring your memory in the music i play.
God bless

Carol Corvers

So many memories from your time in Birkenhead. From giving me my first bible, supporting my mum when I was having heart surgery and picking me up from the hospital to take me home to playing the guitar with us all as a group at my grandparents golden anniversary celebrations! Our trips to Walsingham were always something to look forward to.
I remember you taking me on the back of your motorbike to visit Maria Parkinson who wrote As I Kneel Before You. You also took me to visit and stay with your lovely family who were so welcoming.
You were always thinking of others – even the small babies you baptised. I remember, during the winter months when it was really cold, you’d warm the water a little bit before the baptism so that it wasn’t too much of a shock for the babies. You gave so much to the families in Birkenhead – especially the youth, and we can’t thank you enough for the faith we have and the love of music that you gave us. You will always remain in our hearts. Rest in Peace ❤️

Peter Malecki

Thank you to Laurence for all the work organising Giorgio’s funeral. Thank you to all involved. We gave him a send off that was special for a special Priest, Brother, Son and Friend.

The Wynne’s - St Peter’s Noctorum

Father Giorgio, so so many wonderful memories of your time here in Birkenhead. From setting up the guitar club, wonderful camping adventures to Nant Eos; driving your 3 wheeler & fixing it when we crashed; riding on your motorbike; singing at clubs & theatres, you taught us to be kind, gentle, respectful and always faithful. Thank you for sharing your gifts & talents – fixing, mending, recycling – teaching to look after each other and the world around us. Forever part of our family – rest in peace .
Johanna, Helen, Rachel & Michael xxx

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Pat and Peter Davey

A human priest who did not expect perfection from his parishioners. Very conscious children and young people were the future of the Church. An accomplished and talented musician who gave pleasure with his guitar to young an old alike.All in all a great bloke who will be a hard act to follow

Pat and Peter Davey

Like the late Duke of Edinburgh his final journey was in a style distinctive to him

Marguerite

I will so miss you Giorgio and the wonderful times we had with you at the music nights plus our informal chats during Covid where we’d sit in the garden and put the world to right .
I remember you when you first came as a curate and taught me and my daughter the guitar and she is now 57 . Joan Brown mentioned the trip to Wick Court with Janet Mc Nicholas ..what fun we had .My most sincere thanks go to you for the kindness you showed when my husband Bernard was dying …it gave me great strength …you were such a kind understanding person who never judged others .
May you rest in peace Giorgio……We will all miss you .
Marguerite

Debbie Nicholls

We moved to Thornbury from Bradley Stoke in July 2022.
Before we moved we popped into CTK on a weekday to be welcomed by the parish treasurer who kindly showed us around it was during this visit that we first met Fr George with a hammer in his hand repairing a faulty lock – no surprise there. He took time to chat with us and we immediately knew that CTK was going to be our home.
At our first Sunday Mass Fr George welcomed us and even remembered our names.
Our granddaughter comes to Mass with us and he would always take time to speak to her and even blessed her baby Annabelle at Communion.
He had a gift with children which was so special. He welcomed all children and involved them in the Mass.
During the Mass on the Feast of St Joseph he said he had a strong connection with St Joseph as Joseph was his middle name and he like St Joseph always had a hammer in his hand – this made us smile.
He was a lovely, kind and gentle man who will be forever missed.
“The life of the one we love will never be lost, its influence will go on through all the lives it ever touched”.
Fr George touched so many lives in so many ways – may he rest in peace.
Debbie and Steve

Mary & Graham Fitzroy

Father George,

We are still finding it hard to realise you have gone from our life. We were very lucky to have had you as a Priest and a friend. You will be a hard act to follow.

We will certainly miss you at the CTK music events , Thank you for being our priest and especially for encouraging the youngsters to participate in the Mass.
We will always remember that it was you who Baptised our son Neil.

Always in our prayers Mary and Graham

Joan Brown

Dear Giorgio,
Forgive the informality but that is how I remember you.I was privileged to be the priests’ housekeeper for 25 years.I first met you during those early years. You were very keen to be involved with our flourishing youth group run by Janet McNicholas and my husband Alan Brown. The youngsters loved you, you were nearer their age, plus you left all matters of discipline to the adults. Special memories of that time were our visits to Wick Court, an outdoor centre for young people. We would stay for weekends and enjoy all the facilities. Especially popular was the stream, and surprise, surprise you and your fellow sailors would all end up in the water. After our evening meal we would retire to the lounge and have evening prayers followed by music. All of us loved this part of the day, it was great fun. We had a few non-Catholics in the club and I’m sure they gained a great deal from it. As I write this I am aware of the many lives you touched.
One personal memory I have ( I wasn’t very good at Italian cooking at the time) is you showing me how to cook spaghetti bolognese.
Thank you Giorgio for the music. ( And the recipe)!

Thank you

Thank you Father George!
It was thanks to him that seven years ago I returned to prayer and the Church. The atmosphere he created was incredible, and he made me feel safe and welcome in the church. Thank you, Father George, for restoring my faith, for the conversations that contributed so much to my life, and for all the beautiful things that have happened because of it. See you on the other side❤️

Graham

Father George’s vocation was not as straightforward as might have appeared. In the years since his return to our parish we spent a lot of time together, a surprising amount of that on long lunches and large mugs of tea with our friend Alan putting the world to rights. The bench outside the Coop on Long St. Wotton was where we ate our pasties counting the number of friends and parishioners we saw. His priestly vocation we all recognised. When asked what if not, he would have been a builder using the skills he learnt from his Dad. I guess we saw that as well, he could turn his hand to anything. If his vocation was marriage, his home would have been full of music and laughter. He was a teacher, not just of the faith but about life and our place in it. His visits to our schools were amazing, they all wanted a piece of him and he had time for all. How many time have you heard from strangers “he taught me to play guitar”. Above all he was an enabler of people. He had the ability to draw out the inner person and give them permission to be themselves.

My best friend.

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Linda

Graham, I am sure a wonderful friend like George is impossible to replace. He was a kind, thoughtful, joyful and was a highly committed man to his church and community. He supported the food bank, his parish, and still found enough over to give support to others. His many skills in building, gardening were only matched by his enthusiasm and energy. He made a positive contribution to your church and as a neighbour was a supportive, caring man- and my husband and I spent many times sharing stories over the garden wall and my husband loved helping him and sharing laughter and often coffee and cake with George and you, Graham.
May he rest in peace.

Ann Jones

1982, Pope John Paul II visited England. That summer we took a coach from Holy Cross to Coventry Airport to attend Mass with Pope John Paul. As we walked to the Airfield we sang hymns led by Father George playing his guitar. Such very special day with wonderful happy memories.

Last edited 4 months ago by Ann Jones
Jane

My memories of Fr George go way back to our childhood I Holy Cross. He was an alter server along side my brother, no girls aloud then, and our families were good friends. I was overjoyed when he returned as parish Priest. Miss him so very much. God bless Natalina and all the family. X

Leeanne

I was one of Father George’s alter servers back in runcorn at St Augustine’s when he was there. He was always a kind, caring and understanding soul. Always made mass accessible and fun for kids and created a safe and loving environment for everyone. He was there for the big moments such as my sisters wedding, to the everyday dramas such as changing the tire on my mams car when she got a flat. He truly served the people in his community and made the world a better place. Absolute legend.

Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ

Fr George and myself were students at Heythrop together back in the 1970s. I wasn’t good at keeping in touch once we were both ordained and given our various missions, but hearing of his death reminds me of long walks together, and confirms that this good and kind man has kept a quiet place in my heart. Be sure of my prayers, particularly on October 10th.

Peter Christopher McGillan JP

I remember when father george came to CTK as a young curate.He was dressed in leather gear and riding a motor bike.A Heaven’s Angel I thought.He was always wonderful with his music and great with our children.We used to sing a song called City of New Orleans.Some of the lyrics were 3 Conductors 25 sacks of mail.George’s version was FREAK inductors.When he came back to us we had a great laugh over that.

Last edited 4 months ago by Peter Christopher McGillan JP
Jenny

Fr George had a great rapport with children and spent a lot of time when here as a curate teaching guitar and singing with the youngsters in school. It was wonderful to have him back doing the same again. He loved to involve the children in our Masses, encouraging them to take part and be involved.
His friendly welcoming presence will be greatly missed.

Tendai

My family & I send love and deepest sympathy to Fr George’s family and Christ the King parishioners.
We remember how Fr George was kind & comforting when he held the requiem mass for my husband in March 2024.
We pray for his soul to rest in peace🙏

Dianne

Parishioners will always remember Father George. He made us one big family, he had the skill and love to involve us all in a celebration of our faith no matter what.
He loved to listen to your stories of random meetings. Our random encounter was on the other side of the country, his when he was on holiday and bumped into 3 different fellow parishioners who had long since moved away. Once met, always remembered.

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