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. He attended Saint Coleman’s Elementary School and Wynnewood Road Elementary School and then Ardmore Junior High School. George began his high school education at Archbishop Prendergast High School for Boys, and when the new Monsignor Bonner High School opened, he continued his education there, 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, George 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 a priest 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, New York, Assumption Parish, Mechanicville, New York, Saint Laurence O’Toole Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Dania, Florida, Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Hollywood, California.
From June 1981 to June 1987, Father Magee 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, where he remained until he was hospitalized shortly before his death.
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 at various locations in both California, and Pennsylvania. He was also a criminal justice specialist at the Community Outreach Center, Philadelphia, and founded and directed a private practice at “The Fifth Station,” in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
Father Magee loved story-telling, studying 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. He is survived by his sister Joan Marie DiBernardino and her family.
Funeral Arrangements for Fr. George P. Magee, O.S.A. are as follows:
Viewing:
Friday, April 12, 2019
St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Villanova, PA
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Funeral Mass:
Friday, April 12, 2019
St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Villanova, PA
10:30 am
Burial:
Friday, April 12, 2019
following the Funeral Mass
Augustinian Plot in Calvary Cemetery
West Conshohocken, PA
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Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
