A Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. George M. Schuster, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal parish, Ridgewood, was celebrated Dec. 7 at the church. He died Dec. 3 at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was 85.

Born in Brooklyn, he was baptized in Our Lady of Angels Church, Bay Ridge. He attended the parish school; Xavier H.S., Manhattan; Fordham University, the Bronx; and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I. He was ordained June 1, 1957 by Bishop John J. Boardman at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.

He served as an assistant at St. Thomas the Apostle, Woodhaven, 1957-72, and then was director of St. John’s Residence and School for Boys, Rockaway Beach, 1972-73.

He was an assistant at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dyker Heights, 1973-76 and was named pastor of St. Aloysius, Ridgewood, in 1976.

In 1987, he was named episcopal vicar for Brooklyn East while residing at St. Jerome’s rectory, East Flatbush.

In 1990, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where he served until his retirement in 2002. He continued to live in the parish rectory until his death.

While stationed in Woodhaven, he also served as a CYO moderator and a member of the Priests’ Senate. He was named a monsignor in 1986

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant. Special concelebrants included Msgrs. Edward J. Ryan, Anthony Hernandez, John J. Bracken, Joseph Mulqueen and Fathers Sean Suckiel and Anthony Sansone, who preached the homily.

“Msgr. Schuster was my childhood pastor and a major presence in the lives of so many people. He truly was Ridgewood’s pastor!” said Father Suckiel.

“There are many things that I will always remember Msgr. Schuster for. But one thing that came to my mind and heart when I heard the news of his passing is that Msgr. Schuster loved his 59 years of priesthood and he truly loved the people that was called to serve in his many different assignments.”

Among the immediate survivors was his brother Richard.

Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside.