Fr. George Lundy, S.J., was a proud and active social-justice Jesuit. He grew up in Chicago, a card-carrying big-labor advocate. He served as the director of Sister Helen Prejean’s death-penalty-moratorium project, seeking the end to the death penalty in the U.S. The last time I saw him, he was cheering on anti–Scott Walker protests from his perch in New Orleans, impishly reminding me that he was a friend of labor. Father Lundy was also a devoted educator, having served as academic vice president for my alma mater Loyola University and University of Detroit Mercy, and president of Wheeling Jesuit University for a few years. More than anything, he was a devoted servant of God.
George’s work on earth would likely rile a lot of Corner readers, and we certainly had a disagreement or two, but never a cross one. Despite our political differences, our friendship ran deep. He was a man of good cheer, who enjoyed a good dinner, a stiff drink, a hearty laugh, and good fellowship. Father George passed away this morning in New Orleans, far too young for my liking, but no doubt ready to meet his Maker. He enriched my life, and he will be dearly missed. Requiescat in pace.