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Father Cletus M.S. Watson, T.O.R., 78, of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died Saturday at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness.
He was born in Philadelphia and given the name Claude. He was the son of the late Ernest Samuel, who was in the U.S. Army and killed in action in the North African Campaign in 1944, and Claudie (Bridges) Watson.
Surviving are several cousins; and his Franciscan brothers.
Father Cletus was a member of the community at St. Francis Friary-Mount Assisi, Loretto.
His mother raised him in the Baptist faith and, after moving to Detroit, Mich., he received his early education from the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and decided he wanted to embrace Roman Catholicism. He and his mother returned to Philadelphia, where he attended St. Anthony Grade School. He attended Bishop Neumann High School for two years before entering St. Francis Preparatory School, Spring Grove, where he graduated in May 1957. On June 30, 1957, he entered the T.O.R. novitiate at Portiuncula Friary, Washington, D.C., and began his novitiate. He professed his first vows on July 1, 1958, in Washington, D.C., and his solemn vows on July 1, 1961, in Loretto.
Father Cletus was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1966, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, by the late Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Saint Francis College (University), Loretto. He completed theological studies at Saint Francis Seminary, Loretto. He did graduate studies at Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, and received a Master of Arts degree from LaSalle College (University), Philadelphia. He received a Master of Divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
During his long and very faithful Franciscan life, Father Cletus ministered in various works of the Province. In education, he taught at Bishop Egan High School, Fairless Hills. He taught at St. Francis Prep, Spring Grove, and served as dean of students. He taught at St. Joseph Academy, St. Augustine, Fla. He taught at the University of Florida Medical School, Gainesville, Fla. In parochial ministry, he ministered as assistant pastor at Holy Faith Church, Gainesville, Fla. He was also assistant pastor at San Jose Church, Jacksonville, Fla. For 17 years, he served as pastor of Crucifixion Church and St. Pius X Church, Jacksonville, Fla. He was pastor of St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Due to poor health, Father Cletus returned to the motherhouse in Loretto, where he served in the ministry of prayer. During his religious life, he was well known for outstanding charity.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at the Chapel of St. Francis Friary-Mount Assisi, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at St. Francis Friary-Mount Assisi, Loretto, the Very Rev. Richard L. Davis, T.O.R., minister provincial, principal celebrant. Interment will be held at Franciscan Friars' Cemetery, Saint Francis University, Loretto. Arrangements are by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church St., Gallitzin.
Memorial contributions may be made to support retired T.O.R. Friars, care of T.O.R. Retirement Fund, St. Francis Friary, P.O. Box 137, Loretto, PA 15940.
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