The Reverend Monsignor George David “Father Bo” Birge, 87, of Stratford died January 20. Born March 22, 1927, he was the son of the late Marie Graham and Raymond Bernard Birge.

Msgr Birge devoted his life to caring for people and served the Diocese of Bridgeport in many important positions. He was a caring and appreciated pastor at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, from August 1986 to July 1999, Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown, St Patrick Church in Redding, and Holy Trinity Church in Sherman. Msgr Birge was fondly known as “Bo” to his family and friends.

He was an inspiring teacher at the former Notre Dame High School for Boys in Bridgeport, Stamford Catholic (now Trinity Catholic) High School, and the former Christ the King Seminary in Fairfield. He was a dedicated parochial vicar at St Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield, St Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, St Clement Parish in Stamford, and St Pius X in Fairfield. He was a respected judicial vicar at the Bridgeport Diocesan Marriage Tribunal.

His mother accepted his diploma at graduation because he enlisted in the Navy during his senior year during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, and told stories about his time in China navigating the Yangtze River on the LST #636 transport boat. While in China, he also consulted with Jesuits he met in Shanghai about becoming a priest.

Upon returning to the United States, Msgr Birge attended Fairfield University and graduated in 1951 as a member of the first graduating class, and was the first alumnus to be ordained a priest. He then attended St Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and was ordained into the priesthood in 1956. He earned a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 1976, as well as certification from the Westchester Institute for Training in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. In his retirement, he came full circle to serve as a senior priest in his home church of St James in Stratford.

Msgr Birge was deeply loved by his family, friends, and parishioners, and will be remembered by all as a priest who shepherded his flock, reached out to the lost sheep, and found God in all people. His kindness, compassion, and humor will be truly missed. His enduring humility and devotion to his faith and family were unparalleled.

He had a zest for life, and in his free time enjoyed playing golf, going on vacation with family and friends, and calligraphing Christian Zen sayings.

Among his 43 nieces and nephews, Ray Greenwood of Newtown survives Msgr Birge. Five siblings; his brother priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport, especially his dear friend Msgr John Hossan; 81 great-nieces and nephews; and 10 great-great nieces and nephews survive Msgr Birge.

The family would like to express special appreciation to his niece Jeanne Massey for her devoted caregiving.

His life and memory will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, January 24, at 10:30 am, at St James Church, 2070 Main Street, Stratford, officiated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Interment will be private, with full military honors. Visitation will be at St James Church, Friday, January 23, from 4 to 7:30 pm, with a Vigil Mass celebrated at 7:30 pm.

At the request of the family, memorial donations may be made to St James Church “Care of Our Father’s House”, 2070 Main Street, Stratford CT 06615 or The Fairfield University Fund for Financial Aid, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06428.

To celebrate his life online, visit www.galellofuneralhome.com.