OBIT: Francis MAGEE, 1918, Cresson, Cambria County, PA

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Altoona Times
Altoona, Pa.
Thursday, December 19, 1918


FATHER MAGEE GIVES LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.

The Rev Father Francis Magee, the first priest from the Altoona 
Diocese to volunteer for overseas service, has died in a French 
hospital, of pneumonia, according to word received in this city by 
Bishop Rt. Rev. E. A. Garvey, while the casualty list also carries his 
name of having died of disease.  A telegram received Tuesday from 
Washington stated that the report of his death was untrue, but official 
casualty list reports that he died.

The young man, who was aged about 27, a native of Nanticoke, Luzerne 
county, and he was a graduate of St. Francis Seminary and College, 
being ordained into the priesthood about three years ago, at Loretto, 
by Bishop Garvey.  He was the chaplain at the Cresson Sanitarium and 
orphanage.

About nine months ago, Father Magee volunteered for service overseas, 
and after a short preliminary training, he was commissioned and sent 
abroad as a chaplain, where he worked among Uncle Sam's heroes.  He was 
taken ill several weeks ago, having caught cold while ministering unto 
the wounded of the army, and pneumonia developed.

He was removed to a base hospital and everything possible done for 
him by the physicians, but the disease had taken a very severe hold and 
his weakened condition due to his arduous work among the boys, was 
unable to withstand the ravages of pneumonia.

Father Magee was one of the best known young priests of this diocese, 
and was well liked by all who knew him.  His life at the college had 
been one of great success, and he gave great promise of being an 
excellent man in his chosen walk of life.

A mother and several brothers, all of Nanticoke, survive.