The Rev. George Newmeyer, a gregarious priest who spent much of his ministry addressing public policy before joyfully returning to parish work, died of a brain tumor at home in his rectory at St. Bonaventure Church, Glenshaw. He was 60.
George Newmeyer's home parish was St. Anne's, Castle Shannon. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. Fr. Newmeyer was part owner of a mountain cabin, where he loved to ski. He was also very involved in his bowling league and golf league.
Father Newmeyer spent so many years in administrative posts that he joked about being president of the fictitious Association for Church Bureaucrats. After 10 years as a parochial vicar at St. Norbert in Overbrook, St. Valentine in Bethel Park, and the Church of the Resurrection in Brookline, in 1978 he was appointed director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace. He also served as moderator of the Justice and Rights Department of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, advising the bishops on legislation. Father Newmeyer embodied the church's social teaching, coupling deep opposition to abortion with concern for the poor, prisoners, and migrants. After a study sabbatical in Rome in 1989-90, Father Newmeyer returned to parish work. He continued to serve, as he had since 1987, as chaplain to the diocesan Serra Club, which encourages men to consider the priesthood. After one year as a parochial vicar at St. Bartholomew in Penn Hills, in 1991, he went to St. Bonaventure, Glenshaw, as pastor. Under his leadership, the growing parish built a new, multi-million-dollar church building. Father Newmeyer encouraged Rev. Mr. Stephen Byers to enter the permanent diaconate and became his mentor in ministry. An inoperable brain tumor was discovered in August, after his bowling scores suddenly plummeted, and he sought an explanation from his doctor. Despite the grim diagnosis, Father continued working until a month before his death. Sister John Ann Mulhern, principal of St. Bonaventure School, said of her last moments with Father Newmeyer. "We were praying the 'Jesus Prayer,' calling Jesus as he breathed in and out. "He opened his eyes very wide, squeezed my hand, mouthed 'Jesus,' and stopped breathing. Father George died as he lived, ever aware of the presence of the Lord." In partnership with parishioners, they grew the school into the fifth largest in the diocese. It had been named one of the top 25 innovative Catholic schools in the nation. Father Newmeyer is survived by his mother and stepfather, Alice Newmeyer Buesker and Bernard Buesker of Castle Shannon; a brother, Bruce J. Newmeyer of Shaler; a sister, Nancy Gordon of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two stepbrothers, Bernard and James Buesker; and a stepsister, Sue Batdorf. Visitation was Nov. 25, in the St. Bonaventure Social Hall. A Memorial Mass was held at 7:30 p.m. in the church. The Funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. School was closed. The church was packed. There were four bishops, approximately 150 priests, and hundreds of parishioners, some of whom could get no farther than the vestibule of the new church dedicated only four years ago. Excerpts from Nov. 20, 2002, Post-Gazette article by Ann Rodgers and from a Nov. 25, 2002, Post-Gazette article by Brian O'Neill.