Rev. George Jeffrey

Reverend George A. Jeffrey, 85, of Wilkes-Barre, died on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.

Father Jeffrey, son of the late Raymond B. Jeffrey and Alma Sharkey Jeffrey, was born in Pittston on Sept. 27, 1939. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School, Scranton, and attended St. Jerome College, Kitchener, Ontario. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, New York. He studied for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary, Olean, New York. Father Jeffrey was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1965, at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C., by Patrick A. Cardinal O'Boyle, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Scranton in 1969.

Father Jeffrey was appointed assistant pastor at St. Paul, Scranton, in February 1969. In September 1971, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary, Avoca. Father Jeffrey was appointed assistant pastor at St. Matthew, East Stroudsburg, in September 1973. In May 1976, he was appointed chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital, Hazleton. He was appointed administrator pro tem at Our Lady of Victory, Harvey's Lake, in January 1980, and was appointed pastor in January 1981. He was appointed pastor at St. Luke's, Jersey Shore, in September 1986, and at St. Matthew, East Stroudsburg, in September 1987. Father was appointed chaplain at the State Correction Institute, Dallas, in January 1991 until November 1995. He lived in residence at St. Therese Church, Wilkes-Barre, from 1995 until its closing in June 2011. He held chaplaincies at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Clarks Summit State Hospital and Marywood University. He celebrated Mass in Latin for many years at Sacred Heart Church in Greeley, where, in June of 2015, a special Mass and luncheon were held in honor of Father's 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Father retired from priestly ministry on July 1, 2018. He lived in residence at Villa St. Joseph, Dunmore, from 2011 until December 2023, when he moved to Allied Services Meade Street Residence, Wilkes-Barre. He celebrated his 60th ordination anniversary on May 8.

In addition to his parents, Father was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Elizabeth Jeffrey, M.D., formerly of Haverford; and Christine Jeffrey McLaughlin, of Wilkes-Barre; and his brother-in-law, Thomas V. McLaughlin, of Wilkes-Barre.

Father Jeffrey is survived by niece, Molly McLaughlin Hoegen and her husband, Frank, Kingston; nephew, Tommy and his wife, Katie McLaughlin, Wilkes-Barre; nephew, Michael and his wife, Debbie McLaughlin, Roswell, Georgia; niece, Erin McLaughlin, Kingston; nephew, Vince Griffin, Kingston. He was also the proud great-uncle of Maggie McLaughlin Kovalski and her husband, Danny, Collegeville; Thomas McLaughlin and his wife, Courtney, Lancaster; Cormick McLaughlin and his wife, Maura, Philadelphia; Sara Hoegen Latcham and her husband, Jake, Dallas; Lael Hoegen McGann and her husband, Eric, Bryn Mawr; and Cate, Clare and Benen Griffin, Kingston. Father Jeffrey was also the proud uncle of 11 great-great nieces and great-great-nephews. Many cousins, colleagues and friends also survive him.

The celebration of Father Jeffrey's Life takes place in the Church of the Parish of St. Nicholas-St. Mary, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, on Wednesday. The visitation begins at 6 p.m., and the celebration of a Vesper Service starts at 7 p.m.

On Thursday a Pontifical Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton.

Entombment will be in the Resurrection Mausoleum in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Donations to St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, 39 E. Jackson St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18701; or to the Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18701, are preferred and will honor Father Jeffrey's memory.

Share memories and condolences with Father Jeffrey's family at mjmclaughlin.com.