ROSWELL—George L. Aulbach helped the Atlanta Archdiocese open five new Catholic schools and two retirement communities in the metro area. He gave 25 years of volunteer service on various archdiocesan boards to the Catholic community, including Catholic Housing Initiatives, a Catholic schools implementation committee, and the Archdiocesan Finance Council.

Aulbach died on Wednesday, April 27. He was 90.

George Aulbach served on various archdiocesan boards for 25 years and in 1998 Pope John Paul II conferred the honor Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great upon him. Aulbach died April 27. His funeral was held on May 2 at St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell. Photo By Michael Alexander

In addition to his profession, and then after his retirement, Aulbach had a hand in molding many significant church projects in the archdiocese. He served on and then chaired the Archdiocesan Finance Council, which advises the archbishop on finances and operations, and served as chairman of the projects review committee, which oversees big-ticket parish projects to assure finances are in order. The Finance Council is required by church law and consists of “members of the Christian faithful truly expert in financial affairs and civil law, outstanding in integrity, and appointed by the bishop.”

He also headed up a Catholic schools implementation committee in the late 1990s and assisted Catholic Charities Atlanta with housing initiatives for the elderly.

“George was always finding ways to use his gift for business and for building to improve lives. In particular, George had a passion for low-income senior housing. He saw a need and was instrumental in financing and constructing homes, which are still being used for those in need. George did not just talk about a problem, he was active in getting to a solution,” said Brad Wilson, the archdiocesan chief financial officer.

In 1998, Aulbach was named a Knight Commander of St. Gregory, the highest papal honor given to a layperson.

Raised in York, Pennsylvania, Aulbach’s father worked as a plant supervisor producing York Peppermint Patties candy. Aulbach served in World War II with the Navy where out in the Pacific Ocean on a spit of an island he helped build airplane runways and a military base.

He attended Villanova University where he earned an engineering degree.

Aulbach retired as president and chief executive officer of Laing Properties. He worked his way from field engineer to executive positions. In his professional career, he worked on projects worth a combined $5 billion in some 22 states.

Schools opened with Aulbach’s input include: Holy Redeemer, Johns Creek; Our Lady of Victory, Tyrone; Queen of Angels elementary and Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell; and Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville.

George Aulbach held the role of vice-chairman of the board of directors and project development manager for St. George Village, Roswell, when it was dedicated on All Saints Day of 2005. Photo By Michael Alexander

He helped establish Good Shepherd Place, Cumming, which offers independent living apartments for low- and moderate-income seniors. He also worked on the establishment of St. George Village, Roswell, a not-for-profit Catholic-sponsored community for seniors that offers independent living and continuing care, including a skilled nursing home and memory care. St. George was named for his patron saint and he and his wife resided there.

With his late wife, Gertrude, he had five daughters. He is survived by his wife, Florence, his daughters and their families, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and his sister’s children.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, May 2, at St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.

Donations in his memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3443 or www.crs.org.