Mummer dies while marching in Collingswood parade

A retired police officer collapsed and died during the weekend while marching with a Mummers band in Collingswood's holiday parade.

The Polish American String Band had marched about four blocks on Saturday when stand-up bass player Jimmy Magee, 47, suffered a heart attack, said Walt Wojcick, a member of the band.

"We heard something, and when I turned around I saw him down on top of his bass," Wojcick said. "At first we thought he tripped or something, but then he didn't get up."

Magee was pronounced dead at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden.

Magee, of Gloucester County, retired from the Deptford Police Department last year after a hand injury, Sgt. George Johnson said.

"He was a big Mummer," Johnson said. "It was a big shock to all of us."

After paramedics took Magee to the hospital, his band mates gathered in a circle to pray before continuing to march, Wojcick said.

"Jimmy was only with us for a couple months, but he fit in real good," he said. "He was a brother."

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Merchantville.