Cover photo for Reverend George R. Winne's Obituary
Reverend George R. Winne Profile Photo

Reverend George R. Winne

March 22, 1957 — April 29, 2023

Reverend George R. Winne, Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Allentown and Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish Allentown died at Castle Hill Hospital – Cottingham, United Kingdom, on Saturday, April 29, 2023. He was 66 years of age. He was serving as a chaplain on a cruise from Amsterdam, when he fell ill and was airlifted to the hospital in the UK where he passed away several hours later.

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Father Winne is the son of the late Frederick P. and Joan R. (Redd) Winne. Father Winne attended Saint Catharine of Siena Elementary School, Mt. Penn. He graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading. He entered Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pennsylvania in 1975. He continued his priestly studies at Mount St. Mary’s, Emmittsburg, Maryland where he earned both his M. Div. and M.A in Theology. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Science degree in School Counseling in 2010 from the University of Scranton.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 14, 1983 by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Father Winne’s first assignment was Parochial Vicar, St. Peter Parish, Reading; followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Anne Parish, Bethlehem.

Father Winne’s first pastoral assignment was Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Reading and Saint Paul, Reading.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Winne served as Regional Director, Hispanic Youth Ministry, Berks County, Regional Director, Council of Catholic Nurses, Berks County, Director for Hispanics, Vocations Apostolate, Regional Director, CYO, Berks County. Member, Permanent Diaconate Advisory Board. Member, Council of Priests, Parochial Vicar Representative. Pastoral Minister, Shenandoah Hispanic Community. Member, Board of Education. Chaplain, Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading, Notre Dame High School, Easton and Lafayette College, Easton. Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart, and Immaculate Conception Allentown. Professor, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown. Director of Spiritual Activities, Allentown Central Catholic High School Allentown and Marian High School, Tamaqua.

Fr. Winne, beloved priest of many different peoples and cultures, was particularly connected to the Spanish speakers in his assignments, having cemented his strong Spanish language background with a Spanish language immersion program called C.E.P.A., the Center for Pastoral Awareness, Santiago, Dominican Republic, in the summer of 1982.

Padre Jorge loved serving the Lord by ministering to His people all over the world on land and sea. He was a very humble loving servant of God. He shared his gifts of priesthood, song and prayer so freely with anyone he encountered. His joyous boisterous laughter will be remembered by anyone who heard it and he laughed a lot. He loved to travel and see the world and met many new friends on his travels.

Fr. George enjoyed his days off at Lake Wenonah, even when it meant weeding or laying mulch but especially when it meant shoveling snow (a favorite activity and favorite weather).

He is survived by his sister Suzanne Winne Hart, wife of Steven J., his uncle Robert J. Magee, husband of Marilyn, and his best friends Louie Bonilla and Rita Schwartz. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, his fellow priests, and his many friends around the world. Fr. Winne will live on in all the love that we share with each other and the Lord. In Fr. Winne's own words "Lord, I pray, your presence may always be front and center, bright and noticeable in my life."

Suzanne and Steve will miss their Sunday meals with "brother" at Schmeck's Villa. In honor of Fr. Winne, wear his favorite color green to the Visitation and Masses.

Visitation with family and friends will be held on Monday July, 10, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, Pennsylvania 19606. Reverend John M. Gibbons will be the Vigil Homilist. Priests from the Diocese of Allentown wishing to concelebrate, please bring your Diocesan Vestments; all others, alb and white stole.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Winne will be celebrated on Tuesday July, 11, 2023, beginning at 11:00am at Saint Catharine of Siena Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Reading, Pennsylvania. Mass will be celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Monsignor Donald W. Cieniewicz, Pastor Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown.

Main Concelebrants will be Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General and Pastor, St. Peter Parish, Coplay, and Very Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Vicar for Clergy and Pastor, St. Nicholas Parish, Walnutport; Reverend John M. Gibbons, Pastor, Immaculate Conception B.V.M. Parish and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Allentown; Reverend Patrick Lamb, Pastor, Queenship of Mary Parish, Northampton; Reverend James Torpey. Pastor Emeritus, St. Joseph Parish, Reading.

Interment will be held privately at Bornemann Chapel, Gethsemane Cemetery.

Con Cristo se Puede! Con Cristo se Puede! Con Cristo se Puede!

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church of Allentown, 336 N. 4th St., Allentown, PA 18102. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences. please visit www.lutzfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Reverend George R. Winne, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, July 10, 2023

3:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)

Add to Calendar

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Videos

Guestbook

Visits: 158

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors