George Henry Gurtner was born in the Irish Channel on February 24, 1945 to George C Gurtner and Theresa Ducote Springer; he is also predeceased by his stepson, Ian Brennan. George lost his battle to leukemia, after a brief illness on May 25th 2018.
He is survived by his partner and best friend, Cynthia Mentel; his four children, Lisa VonderHaar (Paul), Robin, Hans and Max Gurtner; his granddaughter, Jessica Knight Pritchard (Casey), and great-granddaughter; Cassidy Knight. George was an award-winning author, journalist and lecturer, who acquired more than 50 awards from Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association, Press Club of New Orleans and the Catholic Press Association. He was twice named Sports Writer of the Year by the Times Picayune; he authored two books; Casts of Characters (derived from Local Color in New Orleans Magazine) and Historic Churches of New Orleans. George wrote numerous years for the New Orleans Magazine, Clarion Herald and Catholic Charities of New Orleans. As much as George loved writing and searching for his “next story”, he loved his family and children even more. The family would like to graciously thank St. Joseph’s Hospice for their exceptional care and comfort.
A Funeral Mass will be held on May 30, 2018, at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary Street, Metairie, Louisiana 70006. Condolences may be left to the family at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.
