Father George Jacob Serour, a priest of the Diocese of Saginaw, died on Aug. 31, 2024. He served generously as a priest for more than 65 years. Father Serour's full obituary may be found here.

Father Serour was born on Aug. 18, 1933 in Bay City. He is the son of the late Michael J. and Hanna A. Serour, both of whom were born in Syria. Father Serour spoke Arabic as well as English.  

Father Serour received his elementary education at St. James Elementary. He also attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and studied theology at St. John Provincial Seminary in Detroit. Father Serour was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Saginaw on June 6, 1959 by Bishop Stephen Woznicki, the second Bishop of Saginaw.   

In his younger years, Father Serour served as associate pastor of St. Anne, Alpena; Our Lady of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach; Our Lady of the Visitation, Bay City and St. Andrew, Saginaw. 

Later, he served as pastor of St. Edward the Confessor, Kinde; St. Joseph, St. Louis; St. Patrick, Irishtown; Our Lady Help of Christians, Saginaw, Our Lady of the Visitation, Bay City, St. Andrew, Saginaw, and Holy Family, Sebewaing.  

Father Serour also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and Serra Club of Bay City. He also served as regional vicar and and co-director of the Permanent Diaconate Program. Father Serour became a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw on July 15, 2003. He continued to serve generously as sacramental minister at St. Agatha, Gagetown; St. Francis Borgia, Pigeon and St. Maria Goretti, Bay City. 

Funeral and visitation details  

Father Serour’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at All Saints Parish, St. James Church (710 Columbus Ave. Bay City) on Saturday Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. Bishop Robert Gruss will preside and Father Ronald Wagner will be the homilist. Priests of the Diocese of Saginaw will concelebrate the Funeral Mass. The Rite of Committal will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Bay City.  

Visitation will take place at All Saints Parish, St. James Church on Friday, Sept. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 p.m. led by Father Robert Meissner.