Rev. Fr. Matthew George formerly of Delhi passed away suddenly in Exeter on Monday, November 15, 2021 in his 53rd year. Fr. Matt, as he was affectionately known, served as a pastor and friend to many since his Ordination to Holy Orders on April 27, 1996. We are in thankful remembrance of his 25 years in the Priesthood. From Ontario to Manitoba to the Yukon, he served as: Associate Pastor, Chaplain, Spiritual Director, Pastor and Administrator. For the past number of years, Fr. Matt served as Pastor of St. Peter, St. Joseph and St. Boniface, Zurich and then as Associate Pastor of the Lake Huron Catholic Family of Parishes which includes parishes: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Grand Bend; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel; Precious Blood, Exeter; St. Boniface, Zurich; St. Peter, St. Joseph and St. Peter, Goderich. Also a Faithful Member & Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. Beloved son of Shirley George (nee: Brown) & the Late Bruce George (2007). Dearest brother of Michael George (Alexandra), Jennifer George and Patrick George (Jennifer) and brother-in-law of Maria George. Loving nephew of Merle George and Keith Brown. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his two sisters, Lesley Carol (1963) and Mary Ellen (1971), by his sister-in-law Terri Lynn (2010), by his nephew Tyler Harvie (2013), by his uncles: Richard (1927), Eric (1983), Allan (1995) & Bernice (1995), Peter (1959) and by his aunts, Mary (1928) and Alice. Friends may call at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, Delhi, for visitation on Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Church, Delhi on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 10:45 a.m. (MAX: 100 Attendees, due to capacity limitations in the Church the presence of the Priests is by invitation only). Sorry, R.S.V.P. is Full, Please Join us for the Visitation Only. (Facial Coverings and Social Distancing Required). Interment in Delhi Cemetery. Donations to Save a Family Plan, London can be made through the MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, Delhi (519) 582-1290 (www.mfh.care) and will be gratefully appreciated by the family.
(Funeral will be Recorded for those unable to attend)
VISITATION Information
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church
110 Adams Avenue
Delhi, Ontario, Canada
A FACE COVERING WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
FUNERAL MASS Information
10:45 am
Monday, November 22, 2021
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church
110 Adams Avenue
Delhi, Ontario, Canada
Words of Remembrance at 10:45 a.m. followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. – PLEASE NOTE – (MAX: 100 Attendees) A FACE COVERING WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND FUNERAL WILL BE RECORDED FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND
To RSVP for the Funeral Mass please call Murphy Funeral Home, Delhi 519-582-1290 or on their website at https://mfh.care/tribute/details/299/Rev-Fr-Matthew-George/obituary.html#tribute-start
INTERMENT Information
12:00 pm
Monday, November 22, 2021
Delhi Cemetery
205 James Street
Delhi, Ontario, Canada
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
V. Regier
I know this is nearly 2 years later, but I just wanted to leave something here. I was writing about my volunteer work with the church and memories of Father Matt came flooding back to me. We spent many hours together in 2020 and 2021, working on the churches’ live streaming setup. As a result, Father Matt would often visit my parents house and make a meal out of it. There was no energy at the dinner table quite like his. He knew how to make people laugh so well, whether it was from the contents of the joke he was telling, or the contagious nature his laughing at his own jokes. He’d struggle to deliver the punch line between fits of laughter, which itself was funnier than the joke he was telling.
I still have the old Sinclair ZX81 he gave me in my attic. One time I decided to put one of the programs he had recorded for it into my audio cassette player, and discovered that at some point, Father Matt had recorded over Pac-Man with “Joy to the World” I’d expect no less from him. That small moment reminded me that lives leave little traces of their existence that last beyond their time, and Father Matt’s traces are all over mine. One moment that still sticks with me is from the day before he passed. Since March of 2020, the congregation wasn’t allowed to sing with the choir due to COVID mandates, which must’ve really stunk for Father Matt since that part gave him so much joy. The last Sunday Mass he ever did for St. Boniface Church was our first since the start of lockdowns that the congregation was allowed to sing, and sing they did. The joy and emotion on father Matt’s face was infectious, and I’m still grateful that he was able to experience that one last time. I miss him and the light he brought to this world. Rest in peace.
Marg Murray
During the time Father Matt served at St Mary’s R.C. Churchn Tillsonburg , I served at Avondale Zion United Church. He was fun, faithful, cared for all people, deeply keen to celebrate the week of Christian Unity and the joint weekly Lenten services. I have many fond memories of Matthew professionally and personally. He dropped in one day when I was showing someone how to make orange marmalade. I am grateful that I knew Matthew. The celebrations of his life have been good news. Thank you for making them available. My deep condolences to his family and friends. Rev. Marg Murray, Woodstock