Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-12-14
Priest Killed In crossing Crash.

Rev. John S. Cuddy. pastor Of St. Martins
Catholic Church at Gaithersburs and St.
Roses Mission. Choppers, this county. was
killed at the Gaithersburs crossing of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad about $50
O'Clock last Friday afternoon when a work
train struck his automobile.
The automobile was shattered and drag
eed some distance along the tracks. Geo.
Gloyd. crossing Waterman. said he whis-
tied for the priest to stop as he drove
toward the tracks. but that his signals were
not needed.
The body was extricated from the
wreckaee by the firemen of Gaithersbure.
called by Ohio Trundle. local motorist.
who was driving in car behind that Of
the priest. and Policeman Dosh. Train
men. including the engineer. J. E. Durkins.
aided in the rescue. and a physician was
called when the body was taken from the
wrecked machine, but life was found to
be extinct.
The train was stopped within a few
yards after striking the automobile. show
ing, it is said. that Its speed was moderate.
An inquest was held before Justice Of
the Peace John Jones. acting coroner. in
the circuit court room here Saturday morn
ing. after the coroner jury visited the scene
of the accident and viewed the body of
the victim. The jury decided that the &C.
cident was unavoidable. fixing no blame.
Father Cuddy was born in Baltimore
October 20. 1879. son of the late Michael
Joseph and Mary Ward Cuddy. He was
educated in the parochial school Of st.
Mary's Star Of the Sea Church there. Loyola
and st. Charles Colleges and St. Marys
Seminary. He was ordained a priest by
the late Cardinal Gibbons on December %,
1905. and his first charge was as assistant
pastor Of St. Michael's Church at Frost
burg. In 1918 he became rector of St.
Joseph's Church at Taneytown. Md. In
August. 1918. he became chaplin in the
Army and served at Camp Meade and
Edgewood Arsenal. He became pastor at
in 1922. St. Roses Mission
becoming part of that parish.
On leaving the army in July. 1920. he
became pastor of St. Mary's Parish. which
included St. Mary's Church at Barnesville
and St. Roses Mission at Chopper. In 1922.
when the Gaithersburg Parish was organ
lied. Father Cuddy was appointed pastor.
The church. school and convent there are
due to his efforts.
He is survived by q brother. Michael
Joseph Cuddy. of Washington. and two
sisters. Misses Winifred and Catherine
Cuddy. of Baltimore. and a nephew. Rev.
Michael J. Cuddy.
Father Cuddy was known for his genia
good nature and was beloved by the people
Of Gaithersburg, who were stunned by his
sudden death. They declared that he never
questioned mans religion when he saw
a chance to do a favor or to help an
was imbued with the spirit Of brotherly
love-
On Tuesday morning at 1890 O'Clock
Solemn Pontfcal Mass was sung In St.
Martins Church. Gaithersbure. as the last
rites for Father Cuddy.
The celebrant was Right Rev. John
Mcnamara, auxiliary bishop of the Balti-
more Diocese. and the assistant priest was
Rev. Leonard J. Ripple. pastor Of St. Rose
of Lima Church.. Brooklyn. Md. The deacon
was Father Cuddy's nephew. Rev. Michael
j. Cuddy, assistant pastor of ST. Patrick's
Church. Cumberland; Rev. John Smith.
pastor of ST. Bernardine's Church. Wash
ington. was subdeacon. The sermon was
by Rev. Hugh J. Monaghan Of St. Am
brOses Church. Baltimore. and Rev. Henry
A. Quinn. rector Of the Cathedral. Balti-
more. was master Of ceremonies. Many
priests from all parts Of the Baltimore
Diocese and elsewhere attended and formed
the choir.
Eight priests were honorary pallbearers
and the active pallbearers were Charles
A. Gartner. C. Kenneth Meem. J. Harry
Gormley, James Neel. George H. Hunter.
Guy Riordan. W. Ernest Offutt and Elmer
Walters. all members of the Gaithersbure
Knights Of Columbus Council The mem
bers of the Gaithersburg and Forest Glen
and other Knights of Columbus
served as u guard Of honor and the mem
bers of Court Archbishop Curley. Gathers
burg. and Court Forest Glen. Forest Glen.
Catholic Daughters of America attended
in body.
Burial was in the new Cathedral Gene
terry. Baltimore.