A Mass of Christian Burial for Father George L. Lutjen, 81, was celebrated July 14 at St. Pancreas Church, Glendale.  He died July 11 at his home in Glendale.

Born in Manhattan, Father Lutjen attended Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass. He was ordained by Auxiliary Bishop John J. Boardman for the Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa on May 4, 1968.

In the Brooklyn Diocese, he served as an assistant at St. Thomas the Apostle, Woodhaven, 1977-80; Blessed Sacrament, Jackson Heights, 1980-88; and St. Anastasia, Douglaston, 1998-2006.  He was incardinated as a priest of the diocese in 1982.

In 2006, he retired with senior priest status.

Bishop Octavio Cisneros was the main concelebrant of his funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. George Ryan  and Msgr. Robert J. Pawson. Msgr. Michael J. Cantley preached the homily.

“He was a man who was a prime example of a priest,” said Msgr. Cantley, who was pastor during Father Lutjen’s years at St.  Anastasia. “He was a great listener to everyone who brought problems to him – a very uncomplaining person.­

“He had a marvelous rapport  with the people.  He was very friendly and had a wonderful sense of humor… He was a very outgoing person with his parishioners on the one hand; on the other hand he was a quiet man and a prayerful man. He was a great balance of a contemplative person and a person who was very involved in the activities in the parish.”

Msgr. Cantley said this balance helped him forge a strong connection with the people of the parish which could be seen throughout all his ministries.

“He was very well received by the people,” Msgr. Cantley said. “His homilies were always very positive, very good­­­ and very well received.­­­

“He was very faithful to the visitation of people who were ill at home and who were hospitalized.

“He was very attentive to the upper graders of the St. Anastasia school and to the religious education program for public school students. He took charge of the preparation programs for Confirmation.

“He was very well liked by the youth of the parish and was always available to them.”
Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, L.I.