Father David William Kraeger, T.O.R., a member of the TOR Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, was called home to the Lord on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the age of 84 in his 63rd year of religious life.
Fr. David was born November 23, 1940, in Lowville, New York. After graduating from Port Leyden High School, New York, he studied philosophy at Wadhams Hall Minor Seminary in Ogdensburg, New York, and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the TOR Novitiate in 1962 and continued his educational journey at St. Francis College in Loretto, where he received a B.A. in Philosophy in 1963. Fr. David professed Simple Vows in 1964 and Solemn Vows in 1967. While earning an S.T.B. from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., he was ordained as a priest by Bishop James Hogan at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on May 18, 1968. He received an M.A. in Sacred Scripture from St. Louis University, Missouri, in 1974.
Following his ordination, Fr. David showed his love of education by teaching a vast array of students at Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, PA; St. Francis Seminary and St. Francis College in Loretto, PA; and the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. After more than 13 years in education, he transitioned from his teaching career and, for the following 31 years, he embraced pastoral work as pastor, parochial vicar, and administrator. His assignments included ministry in South Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland. After many years in parochial work, Fr. David was assigned to St. Francis Friary in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
Throughout his life, Fr. David had a tremendous love of Sacred Scripture and spent much of his time studying the Bible and reading commentaries. He was also an avid record collector, mostly of classical music, and a huge fan of British mystery movies. Unfortunately, due to declining health issues, he spent the last year of his retirement at Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation & Health Care Facility in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He was able to spend the last few weeks of his life with his fellow friars at Saint Francis Friary, where he received hospice care.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for the departed on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi with the Most Rev. Michael J. Higgins, T.O.R., Vicar Provincial as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment took place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto.