Saw this article on the Diocese of Gaylord website about the passing of Father George H. Klimas, former classmate of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II). Father Klimas served many different parishes in Michigan including as an assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Alpena.

Fr. George Klimas Passes Away

Fr. George H. Klimas, age 90 of Metz, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2011, at the St. Francis Home in Saginaw. He was born August 9, 1920 in Sosnowiec, Poland to Joseph and Regina (Bonczkiewvcz) Klimas.

Fr. Klimas was in the Polish underground seminary in Krakow during the Nazi occupation from 1939 to 1945 and was classmates with Karol Wojtyla (future Pope John Paul II). He studied philosophy in Krakow, Poland and came to the United States in 1948 for his theology formation at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1951 by the Most Rev. Stephen S. Woznicki at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.

Fr. Klimas became a citizen of the United States on December 12, 1956. He first served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Alpena during the summer of 1951 and then as assistant pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Saginaw from 1951 to 1953. From 1953 to 1962 he served as administrator at St. George Parish in Saginaw. From 1962 to 1970 he served as pastor at St. Dominic Parish in Metz. He finally served as pastor at St. Columbkille Parish at Sheridan Corners in Ubly from 1970 until he was granted senior priest status (retirement) in 1976.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw , Most Rev. Bernard Hebda, Bishop of Gaylord and Fr. Wolfgang Streichardt at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Rogers City on Friday, February 18.

Interment will take place in the St. Dominic Catholic Cemetery in Metz.

Pray for Father Klimas as goes to join our heavenly Father. St. John Vianney, Pray for Us!

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