Rev. Msgr. Charles M. Pugh
Deceased: 2006-01-20
Diocese: SAN ANTONIO
Seminary Graduation Year: 1960
Former vicar general of the archdiocese, Msgr. Charles M. Pugh, died Jan. 20, 2006 after a long illness. Msgr. Pugh, 70, served as a priest for 44 years.
Msgr. Pugh was ordained at the Vatican on Dec. 18, 1960 and celebrated his first Mass at St. Peter’s in the Vatican. He began his priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of San Antonio at Mission San Francisco de la Espada in 1961.
Throughout the next two decades Msgr. Pugh also served at Immaculate Conception, St. Dominic, St. Gregory, St. Annand St. Patrick parishes in San Antonio. He ministered in St. James,Seguin, Sacred Heart, Hallettsville, Our Lady of Grace, La Coste, andSt. Joseph, Nixon. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and Lions Club.
Then-Archbishop Patrick F. Flores appointed Msgr. Pugh vicar general in 1981. He was named a prelate of honor of his holiness Pope John Paul II on April 4, 1984. He was considered by many a priest of the people, with a special love for the poor. He was always known for his deep personal devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Msgr. Pugh is survived by: sister, Patsy Ragland Sullivan and husband, James E., Sr.; nephew, Robert Taylor Ragland and wife, Ginny of Tyler; nieces Jennifer Zebak
and husband, Dean of Houston; and Kendall Biehl and husband, Chris, ofSan Antonio.
Msgr. Pugh attended St. Peter Prince of the Apostles School and graduated from Centra Catholic High School in San Antonio. He attended. John’s Assumption Seminary from 1953 to 1957 and studied in Rome from 1957 to 1961 at the North American College and Gregorian University. He undertook further studies atSan AntonioCollege, Our Lady of the Lake College, Oblate College of the Southwest, Southern Methodist University in Dallas and St. Edward’s s University in Austin.
A rosary was held in Msgr. Pugh’smemory on Jan. 23, 2006 at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Church. The funeral Mass was celebrated there by Archbishop Emeritus Flores on Jan. 24. Private interment will follow at a later date.
