Deceased Friars

George Whitmire, OFM

George Whitmire

1909 – 1963

Fr. George Whitmire, OFM, was born on Jan. 27, 1909 in Pittsfield, Mass. He studied philosophy with the Sulpician priests before entering the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1931. He professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1935. Fr. George was ordained later that year at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

His first assignment was to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., where he was a teacher and prefect of discipline until 1938. After one year at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., Fr. George joined the Province’s Mission Band and remained a member for the rest of his life. In 1962, he became assistant director of the Mission Band and was stationed in Paterson.

Fr. George was well-known as a forceful and dynamic preacher along the eastern seaboard. He had a full schedule of missions lined up for the fall season, when death cut his busy life short in 1963.

He died on Oct. 10, 1963 in St. Clare’s Hospital, New York City. Fr. George was 54 years old, a professed friar for 31 years and a priest for almost 28 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

Main Content

George Whitmire, OFM

George Whitmire

1909 – 1963

Fr. George Whitmire, OFM, was born on Jan. 27, 1909 in Pittsfield, Mass. He studied philosophy with the Sulpician priests before entering the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1931. He professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1935. Fr. George was ordained later that year at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

His first assignment was to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., where he was a teacher and prefect of discipline until 1938. After one year at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., Fr. George joined the Province’s Mission Band and remained a member for the rest of his life. In 1962, he became assistant director of the Mission Band and was stationed in Paterson.

Fr. George was well-known as a forceful and dynamic preacher along the eastern seaboard. He had a full schedule of missions lined up for the fall season, when death cut his busy life short in 1963.

He died on Oct. 10, 1963 in St. Clare’s Hospital, New York City. Fr. George was 54 years old, a professed friar for 31 years and a priest for almost 28 years.