1940 – 2019 (April 7)
George Patrick Magee was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on December 22, 1940, the youngest of three children of James Cyril Magee and Catherine Louise Starkey. He was baptized at Saint Coleman’s Church, Ardmore, Pennsylvania and attended Saint Coleman’s Elementary School, Wynnewood Road Elementary School and Ardmore Junior High School. George entered Archbishop Prendergast High School for Boys, later renamed Monsignor Bonner High School, graduating in 1958. In 1959, George became a post-graduate student at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He entered Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York in 1959, professing simple vows on September 10, 1960. Following profession, he undertook philosophical studies at Villanova University and received his BA in 1964. On September 10th of that year he professed solemn vows. Following theological studies in Washington, D.C., he received an MA from Catholic University in 1969. George was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1968 at Saint Denis Church, Havertown, Pennsylvania by Bishop Joseph Mary Yuen, DD.
In 1968 Father Magee was assigned to Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C. In 1973 he was transferred to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine High School, Bronx, New York, where he was also sub-prior of the community. Subsequent assignments were to Mount Augustine Retreat House, Staten Island, Assumption Parish, Mechanicville, Saint Laurence O’Toole Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Dania, Florida, Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia, and Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Hollywood, California. From 1981 to 1987, he was stationed at Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova. Following a brief leave of absence, he was assigned in 1988 to Saint Joseph Friary at Msgr. Bonner High School. In 1992 he returned to Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova.
Father Magee received an MS degree from Biscayne College in 1977 and an SC. D from Northeastern College. As a certified addictions specialist, he held positions in both California, and Pennsylvania. He was also a criminal justice specialist at the Community Outreach Center, Philadelphia, and directed a private practice in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
Father Magee loved story-telling, genealogy and all things Italian, especially Italian cuisine. His listening skills drew many people to him and his attention toward those who struggled to find purpose in life was an important concern of his ministry.
In March 2019 Father George was hospitalized for a brief time and then began rehabilitation. He suffered cardiac arrest on Sunday morning, April 7, 2019 and died in Einstein Montgomery Medical Center, East Norriton, PA. His Funeral Mass was offered by Prior Provincial Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. on April 12, 2019. Father Francis Devlin, O.S.A. preached the homily. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
Father George is survived by his sister Joan Marie DiBerardino and her family.
