DEACON GEORGE JACK SITTER

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DEACON GEORGE JACK SITTER Peacefully on Monday, December 11, 2000 at the Portage District General Hospital, Deacon George Sitter passed away at the age of 88 years. He was predeceased by his wife Clara in 1989; parents, Caroline and Sebastian; brothers, Joe and John. George leaves to cherish his memory his son Len and wife Carole of Winnipeg; daughter Irene and husband Gordon Diamond of Ottawa; grandchildren, Kim (Eric) Talmeister; Lisa Diamond; Jennifer (Serge) Chopin; Kathy Sitter and Mark Sitter; great-granddaughter Emily Talmeister; sisters, Anne Sitter of Winnipeg and Sister Mary Irene of Humboldt, SK; brothers, Paul and Jack, both of Winnipeg and Father Charles Sitter S.J. of Pickering, ON; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Sitter of Winnipeg and Sister Martha Koppes of St. John, NB, and several nieces and nephews. George spent his youth in Ladywood, MB moving to Winnipeg as a young man. He worked as a hotel manager for Sheas and LaBatts Breweries in Shoal Lake, Winnipeg and Portage. George and Clara worked for the Agassi Centre in Portage as houseparents for several years. He later retired from the Manitoba School in Portage. In 1966 George received "The Cross Pro Ecclesia Pontiface" award in recognition of his contribution to the welfare and prestige of the church in the Portage la Prairie area. Following retirement, George was ordained as a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1976. He was a faithful servant of God for the parishioners of St. Johns and St. Hyacinths in Portage where he performed many baptisms, weddings and presided over numerous funerals over a 25 year span. Becoming a deacon was in many ways a life fulfillment. As a young child George developed a deep spirituality that would be with him throughout his life. George performed his duties with joyfulness and love. His friendly and outgoing nature endeared him to all who knew and loved him. For many years he visited the sick and elderly, bringing holy communion and a friendly and comforting word to all. The family extends sincere gratitude to the parishioners of St. Johns and St. Hyacinths who were in many ways Georges extended family and to the Skyview staff at Lions Prairie Manor. Special thanks and appreciation to Jane Hebert whose daily visits to George over the past few years brought a ray of happiness and sunshine into his life. A Prayer Vigil will be held on Wednesday evening, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. from St. Johns Roman Catholic Church, 107 Duke Ave., Portage la Prairie with presider Deacon Bill Parrack. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by the Most Reverend James Weisgerber on Thursday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Johns Roman Catholic Church of Portage. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Georges memory to the Good Shepherd Parish Building Fund, 115 Countess Ave., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0T2. Arrangements entrusted to McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, 857-4021.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2000