Valatie, NY. – Rev. Lawrence Albert Jerge, C.S.C., 83, died peacefully at the Holy Cross Brothers – St. Joseph Center in Valatie, New York, on February 26, 2025. Fr. Jerge was born on January 24, 1942, in Buffalo, New York, one of three children of Albert and Catherine (Johnson).
After graduating from Fr. Baker High School in Lackawanna, New York, Fr. Jerge entered the seminary program of the Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers at Stonehill College, North Easton, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. He went on to study theology at Holy Cross College in Washington D.C., where he earned his Masters of Sacred Theology in 1968. He made First Vows on August 16, 1961, professed Final Vows on August 16, 1964, and was Ordained a Holy Cross priest on June 1, 1968. Fr. Jerge continued his studies at Misericordia College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1975 and at the University of Notre Dame, earning a Master’s in Arts in Liturgy in 1977.
Fr. Jerge spent his priesthood serving in a number of ministries. He taught high school for ten years, in three different schools. He spent over thirty years in a number of parishes or campus ministry at both Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, and King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He also served as Associate Director of Vocations for his Province, in provincial administration, and in student affairs ministry at King’s College. In his 50th Jubilee autobiography he wrote, “…my life has been a kind of roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs, good years and difficult ones, yet through them all I know God was working powerfully in my life and I am very grateful.”
Fr. Jerge was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Janie McIntosh and Sharon Stewart. He is survived by beloved nieces and a nephew.
Visitation will be held at Holy Cross Brothers-St. Joseph Center in Valatie, New York, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9-11:00 a.m. with Mass following at 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Chapel of Mary on the Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. You may join the Funeral Mass via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRELm4Hap7Y
Burial will be in the Holy Cross community cemetery in Easton, Massachusetts. Castleton Funeral Home, Castleton-on-Hudson, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356-1299 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org
