January 2 is the anniversary of Edward B. McKee.

Edward Bernard McKee, son of George McKee and Sarah McCloskey, was born in Philadelphia, PA, on August 25, 1905. He began his education at Saint Rita Parish School in South Philadelphia, followed by one year at Roman Catholic High School, and three years at Villanova Preparatory Scholasticate. Received as a novice on June 25, 1924, he professed simple vows on June 26, 1925 and solemn vows on June 26, 1928. Having received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova College in 1928, he commenced his theological training at Villanova and completed it at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, where he was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1931. While there he obtained a Master of Arts degree in religious education from Catholic University. He also fulfilled most of the requirements for his doctorate there.

Father McKee’s first appointment was as an instructor in religion at Villanova College, and there he labored for the first 25 years of his apostolate. He lived as a prefect in the residence halls all these years, functioned as chairman of the Department of Religious Studies, was moderator of The Villanovan and director of the Catholic Press Apostolate, organized intramural sports on campus, 1932 to 1944, was moderator of varsity sports, 1944-1956, was made vice president and dean of men in 1944, and assistant to the president in 1956. After a brief period as prior of the monastery, Father McKee was selected as prior and pastor of Old Saint Augustine’s parish in Philadelphia (1957-1971). During this period he undertook a remodeling of this historic structure, so dear to the hearts of all American Augustinians.

He considered his most important work at Villanova was teaching religion, and this attitude dominated all his multiple activities. For years intramural sports was a major feature of college life at Villanova and Father McKee maintained a full program inspired by his enthusiasm for athletics in all its phases; indeed he was not averse to putting on the gloves for a round or two in the old Alumni Hall gym. As moderator of varsity sports he traveled across the country many times with his boys and influenced many of the major newspapermen in the sports world. He was known as a man’s man, a kindly, warmhearted, understanding priest, tough when he had to be, strong on discipline but always fair. With his friendly, Irish smile he evinced a personal interest in the students which was returned a hundredfold. Later in life as pastors of Old Saint Augustine’s in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge he was called upon to dissuade a number of would-be suicides; indeed in 1970 at the age of 65 he was pictured atop the bridge talking a would-be suicide from his perch.

Plagued by failing health Father McKee returned to Villanova Monastery in 1971, and finally was cared for by the Sisters at the Villa of Divine Providence, Lansdale, PA, where he died on January 2, 1974.

Father McKee is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

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