Father George J. Werner, S.M.M., former pastor of St. Father George J. Werner, S.M.M., former pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven parish, Ozone Park, died peacefully Dec. 3 at the Montfort Missionary Community, Bay Shore, L.I.

He was 86 and had been a professed member of the Montfort Missionaries for 65 years, and 59 years a priest.

Born and raised in St. Mary Gate of Heaven, Ozone Park, he was ordained a Montfort priest in 1957.

His earliest ministry was preaching parish missions and retreats. During those years, he was asked to spearhead the fundraising and construction of the new Montfort Seminary in Bay Shore, L.I., which served as a high school seminary for many years, before becoming the current Montfort Spiritual Center.

Returning to Ozone Park, he began many years of ministry as associate, 1969-73 and 1977-79; and as vocation director, 1973-77.

He also served as provincial superior of the Montfortians in the USA from 1979 to 1985, continuing to make Ozone Park his base.

He was named pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven in 1986 and served there until 1994.

He is survived by his brother Larry.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Dec. 7 at St. Patrick’s Church, Bay Shore. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Bay Shore.

3 at the Montfort Missionary Community, Bay Shore, L.I.

He was 86 and had been a professed member of the Montfort Missionaries for 65 years, and 59 years a priest.

Born and raised in St. Mary Gate of Heaven, Ozone Park, he was ordained a Montfort priest in 1957.

His earliest ministry was preaching parish missions and retreats. During those years, he was asked to spearhead the fundraising and construction of the new Montfort Seminary in Bay Shore, L.I., which served as a high school seminary for many years, before becoming the current Montfort Spiritual Center.

Returning to Ozone Park, he began many years of ministry as associate, 1969-73 and 1977-79; and as vocation director, 1973-77.

He also served as provincial superior of the Montfortians in the USA from 1979 to 1985, continuing to make Ozone Park his base.

He was named pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven in 1986 and served there until 1994.

He is survived by his brother Larry.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Dec. 7 at St. Patrick’s Church, Bay Shore. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Bay Shore.