By Mark Scott
Jamestown, NY – The crash of a small plane at Chautauqua County Airport Monday morning claimed the life of a Catholic priest.
Msgr. Antoine Attea was taking off from the airport runway for a flight to Buffalo when the crash occurred. He was the longtime pastor of St. James Church in Jamestown and for the past three years had also served in the same position at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Frewsberg.
"I first met Msgr. Attea while we were studying at the North American College in Rome. He was dedicated to the priesthood and the people he served," said Bishop Edward Kmiec. "As my personal representative in southern Chautauqua, Msgr. Attea provided me with invaluable counsel, and I will miss his friendship and advice."
Investigators say the cause of the crash has not been determined.