Deacon George Reade retires as chancellor
SALT LAKE CITY — Deacon George Reade, who has served as the diocesan chancellor for the past 11 years, retired from that position effective March 10.
“He has been a good and faithful steward, friend and minister to so many,” Father John Evans, vicar general, said in a letter announcing Deacon Reade’s retirement. “We hope that in his retirement he and his loving wife, Mary, will have much peace, joy and good health ahead. We truly appreciate him and will sincerely miss him in the office and around the diocese.”
A staff luncheon honoring Deacon Reade’s retirement was held at the Pastoral Center on March 4.
“George is not really a legend; he’s more than a legend,” having served in the diocese in various capacities over the years, Bishop Oscar A. Solis said at the luncheon.
The two men have become firm friends and golf buddies in the eight years since the bishop came to the diocese, which helped their professional relationship, he said. “We had a great time playing golf, but we discussed a lot of serious matters – the decision-making that happens, that overflow of the responsibilities of the chancellor of the diocese being discussed in many other ways, not only during the golf game, but after the golf game.”
The bishop also praised the deacon’s work ethic.
“Most of the time he’s here around 4:30 or 5 o’clock in the morning,” he said. “He’s a very conscientious minister of the Church. He dedicated his life as a deacon in total service for God and the Church that he faithfully and religiously served. And so, we’re very happy and proud that Deacon George has given and dedicated his life in so many ways. It’s a joy to work with him.”
He then presented Deacon Reade with several gifts as tokens of how he is esteemed by the diocesan leadership and staff.
“I would just like to extend on behalf of the people of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and all our staff here at the diocese and pastoral center our profoundest gratitude to you, Deacon George, for hanging out with us,” he said.
The bishop went on to give Deacon Reade a blessing during which he asked God to “look with kindness and blessing upon Deacon George and his wife, Mary, Katie and Robert present here and all the members of his family. They have contributed more than can be measured to our diocese and to the pastoral staff in particular. They are retiring now, so we pray you might allow them time to survey all that they have done and give them a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment for all their labors and sacrifices, as you did on the seventh day when you saw that all you had made was good.”
Afterward, Deacon Reade expressed his thanks for the recognition and recounted highlights from his journey of meeting and marrying his wife, being baptized into the Church, entering the diaconate and serving as chancellor for the last 11 years.
“Thank you, one and all, and I just praise God for this wonderful blessing and these many years,” he said. “These last 11 years it has been a real joy working here, and it’s all about all of you. You know, someone told me you’re only going to be successful [through] some of those relationships you build, and I just love building relationships with everyone, because everybody was so helpful. I love you all, thank you very much, and thanks for this beautiful luncheon, and Godspeed to everybody.”
From Riverside, Calif., Deacon Reade was a member of the Episcopal Church when he converted to Catholicism 30 years ago after going through the RCIA program at St. Ambrose Parish. He was ordained a deacon on Jan. 24, 2004 and was assigned to St. Ambrose Parish for several years. (Deacon Reade retired from the diaconate last year). Prior to being named chancellor he served as the diocesan property and real estate manager. He worked as a real estate agent for about nine years before that.
The assignment as chancellor came when Monsignor Colin Bircumshaw, then the diocese’s vicar general, asked Deacon Reade if he had any suggestions for someone to fill the open chancellor position, Deacon Reade told the Intermountain Catholic.
“I raised my hand and said, ‘Yeah, sure, I’d be interested,’” he said.
“It really has been such a joy,” he said of his service. “The biggest thing that came from my ministry as chancellor is it really opened me up and dared me to take on a number of things, because I was exposed to a lot of different staff positions and assignments and unsolved opportunities. I also really enjoyed my time with Bishop Solis. He and I did a lot of things together. I really enjoyed being handy for him, from the standpoint of being able to help him with some of his ministry.”
In retirement the Reades plan to spend time with their children and grandchildren, and attend the football games of their grandson Noah Flores, who plays for Utah State University, whenever they can.
© Copyright 2025 The Diocese of Salt Lake City. All rights reserved.
Stay Connected With Us