Manhattan College Mourns the Loss of College Chaplain Rev. George Hill

Rev. George Hill, Manhattan College’s on campus chaplain since 2007, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the age of 73, surrounded by friends and family in New York City.

“We are grateful to have had him as our campus pastor for the past nine years,” said Brennan O’Donnell, Manhattan College president. “He was a wise counselor, a gentle spiritual guide, and a loving friend to students and colleagues alike. Father George will be sorely missed in our daily life on campus; but we take comfort in our faith that he is present among us whenever we follow his example and ‘do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.’”

Fr. Hill came to Manhattan College in 2007 after 10 years as the parochial vicar at St. Raymond’s parish in the Bronx. A licensed mental health counselor in New York State, Fr. Hill also provided therapy out of an office at St. Bernard’s parish in Greenwich Village, and served as a chaplain and bereavement counselor at the Bailey House in Harlem, where he worked with patients suffering from HIV and AIDS.

Prior to his time at the Bailey House, Fr. Hill worked at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, N.Y. Fr. Hill was the retreat director at the monastery of strict observance, where the monks observed a strict policy of silence. It was there where Fr. Hill learned about meditation, a practice he carried to his role in Riverdale.

In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill's infectious smile was well known across campus.
In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill was a key figure in liturgies on campus such as Ash Wednesday.
In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill was a familiar face to the College's student-athletes at Draddy Gymnasium and at off-campus events.
In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill presided over many of the College's celebrations, including the annual Commencement Mass.
In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill was the celebrant at Sunday Mass in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers.
In Memory of Father Hill

Father Hill helped to welcome Cardinal Timothy Dolan to campus at the 2012 Commencement.
In Memory of Father Hill

Guided by a "ministry of presence," Father Hill was frequently seen across campus at events and activities.

At Manhattan College, Fr. Hill touched the lives of thousands of students. He presided over many of the College’s Catholic services, including Mass on Sundays and holy days. He began a weekly meditation program that became highly popular with Manhattan College students, and traveled with many of the Jaspers’ intercollegiate athletics teams all across the country.

A native of Worcester, Mass., Fr. Hill graduated from St. John’s Prep and the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a bachelor’s degree in English. He received a master’s degree at Assumption College and Master of Divinity degree from St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, N.Y.

A service of remembrance will be held on the steps of Smith Auditorium on Friday, September 16, at 4 p.m.

Arrangements are as follows:

Wake:

The Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers, Manhattan College campus

Saturday, September 17, 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Viewing at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 929 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610

Monday, September 19, 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial and Interment:

St. Peter's Catholic Church, 929 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610

Tuesday, September 20, 10:00 a.m.

Manhattan College Mourns the Loss of College Chaplain Rev. George Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill

In Memory of Father Hill