�� Welcome to
Legends of Prep VI Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner and Ceremony
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“Pride & Glory” It is our Pride and our Glory, old in song and in story; and we cherish your name and we love your fair fame for the days of long ago. And we your sons will be loyal to St. Peter’s so royal. May your banners still guide us wherever we go!
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It is a story of gladness, with no shadow of sadness; our years spent with you, St. Peter’s so true, and you hold our hearts’ love yet. And through the years we will treasure with a joy beyond measure, the gifts you have given. We shall never forget.
SAINT PETER’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRESENTS
Legends of Prep VI Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner and Ceremony
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Honoring
Mr. Ernest J. Baker, '38 (Posthumously)
Mr. Kevin J. Collins, '57 Mr. Sam C. DiFeo, '32 Mr. Hubert J. O'Toole, '51 Mr. Charles F.X. Poggi, '49
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Saturday, November 15, 2003 Mayfair Farms West Orange, New Jersey
SPONSORS & DONORS We are grateful for this evening's sponsors, who have given so generously. Their donations will assist in the creation of several scholarships honoring tonight's "Legends." The following have helped to sponsor tonight's event at the Ignatian Roundtable level: Hudson United Bank Charlie Poggi, '49
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Francis Tedesco, '74 has helped to sponsor tonight's event at the Beaudevin's Guard level. The following have helped to sponsor tonight's event at the Arrupe's Sentries level: The Braddock Family (Joseph V. Braddock, '47) Kevin Collins, '57 The DiFeo Family Hubie O'Toole, '51 The Rutgers University Foundation
The following have helped to sponsor tonight's event at the Paulus Hook Circle level: John Conroy, '58 Joseph Sanzari Tom Sullivan, '53
The following have helped to sponsor tonight's event at the Sons and Daughters of St. Peter level: Tom Flaherty, '46 Ken Kunzman, '54
The following have sponsored a Special Guest: Michael Acanfora, '83 Joe Carr, '61 Joe Cascio, '71 Joanne & Lou Castelli, '66, P'01 Mary Beth & Jack Caulfield, '71, P'00,'03 Purita & Kim Chan, P'04 Jim Collins Joe Cooney, '45, P'68,'76 Marya & Len De Pinto, '76, P'05 Mary & Paul Donnelly, P'88 Tom Gallagher, '45
Amelia & Halim Habib Madeline Iazzetta, P'77 Judy & Tom Leane, '65, P'04 Lucita Lopez Meg & Charles Maffey, P'01 Paul McGovern, '64 Nancy Mikulich, P'06 Virginia Moriarty Ed Riedlinger, '67 Dick Tambouri, '50 Jack Verdon, '57
PROGRAM WELCOME John R. Raslowsky, II, '79 Master of Ceremonies
INVOCATION AND WELCOME Fr. James F. Keenan, S.J. President
SPECIAL INTRODUCTIONS James C. Horan, '70 Vice President for Planning and External Affairs
MUSICAL INTERLUDES Raphael Auz, '07 & Daniel Brennan, '07
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Ernest J. Baker, '38 accepted by Ernie, '67 & Rick Baker, '71 Kevin J. Collins, '57 presented by George Blaney, '57 Sam C. DiFeo, '32 presented by Ed Davin Hubert J. O'Toole, '51 presented by Larry Tormey, '51 Charles F.X. Poggi, '49 presented by Dick Tambouri, '50
"PRIDE & GLORY" Thomas J. Sullivan, ‘53
� The Legends of Prep �
Charles F.X. Poggi, ‘49 The first thing you notice about Charlie Poggi is his contagious smile. It is absolutely disarming, backed by a genuine warmth that makes everyone in his presence feel instantly comfortable. While this engaging personal style has aided him often in his business endeavors, it is the quiet wisdom and professional savvy behind the smile that have solidified his position as a leading entrepreneur and executive. Over the years, Charlie has shared the proverbial gifts of "time, talent and treasure" with many organizations--most notably St. Peter's Prep and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.--and he is the consummate example of the Jesuit ideal of a "man for others." In fact, when honored by St. Thomas Aquinas College, from which he received an honorary degree, he stated, "Volunteering my services and lending support to worthwhile organizations is just a natural duty. I try to help those who can't help themselves. I get so much satisfaction out of seeing young people reach their potential." Charlie came to the Prep from the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Hoboken in September 1945. A member of the Sodality from his sophomore through senior years, he was the class vicepresident in his final year at Grand & Warren. All through his childhood and into his teenage years, he assisted his father with various odd jobs at The Poggi Press, gradually acquiring an intimate knowledge of both the business and logistical sides of the printing trade. He continued his Jesuit education at St. Peter's College, graduating with a B.S. in 1953. The Poggi Press was considered a small, local shop in the early 1950s, but Charlie brought bigger dreams and a national vision to its Hoboken location, and soon his clients included Avon, Christian Dior, Dreyfus, General Foods, Givenchy, Lancome and MasterCard. Significantly, through Hoboken's transformation into one of the country's most chic urban centers, The Poggi Press has remained at the city's heart, ever loyal and supportive--a mirror reflection of its chief executive. Fortunately for the Prep, Charlie's ties to his alma mater are equally deep. In addition to serving two terms on the board of trustees, he has supported a broad range of initiatives, including a young alumni challenge grant. Also, he has donated printing services for the annual golf tournament and, ironically, for all of the "Legends" events, and he has been a lead supporter of the Annual Fund, as well as the "Keys to the Future" and "Carpe Diem" capital campaigns, including endowing a full scholarship as part of his gift to the latter. Charlie and Mary, his beloved wife of 46 years, have four children and seven grandchildren, and they continue to support various philanthropic endeavors. While he remains involved in the company's major decisions, Charlie is delighted to see his sons Charlie and Robert take responsibility for most day-to-day operations, representing the third generation to do so. During a lifetime marked by generous outreach, Charlie has always shunned the spotlight. On this evening, his alma mater proudly counts him as one of its giants. ��
� The Legends of Prep �
Kevin J. Collins, ‘57 Given his gregarious manner and eclectic interests, it is incredibly easy to bond with Kevin Collins. But if you happen to share a Prep diploma with him, the twinkle in the eye shines even brighter, for it was at Prep that he first met many of his lifelong friends. During his student days, Kevin was involved in numerous activities: Sodality, football, track, swimming, German and radio clubs, and intramurals. He also received honor pins and was a class officer and student body treasurer. And this pace did not lessen upon graduation. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Rutgers University Law School, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School investment banking program and Columbia University. His resume also includes service as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Professionally, Kevin is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and is a member of the bar in New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia. A former member of the liaison committee between the American Bar Association and the Securities Industry Association, he is an allied member of the New York Stock Exchange. Kevin recently retired as a managing director for The First Boston Corporation, where he was a member of that firm's operating committee. He served as chairman of the Holy Cross National Alumni Association and was awarded the Columbia University Medal of Distinction. At Rutgers, Kevin has chaired the three major governing bodies-the boards of trustees, overseers and governors. He chaired several capital campaigns for Rutgers that raised well over a half-billion dollars for various schools in the university system, and he has lectured at Columbia, Harvard, NYU, Penn and Princeton. Other board memberships have included Hackensack University Medical Center, the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, the New Jersey Equal Opportunity Foundation, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation, and the Eagle Scout Alumni Association. A founding member of the President's Council at Prep, Kevin served two terms on the school's board of trustees, heading the development committee during his tenure. In 1992, when the trustees approved the decision to embark on the school's first-ever capital campaign, Kevin was the natural choice to serve as campaign chairman. He brought an insider's knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the Prep, particularly the need to upgrade the facilities; also, with decades of experience in senior management positions, he knew how to "get the job done." The campaign, named "Keys to the Future," concluded with gifts exceeding $5 million, and its fruits included a number of major renovations across the campus. In 1996, Prep presented Kevin with the St. Ignatius Award for Distinguished Alumni and Benefactors at that year's graduation ceremonies. The parents of two children, Kevin and his wife Helen continue to serve, and to share their talents with, various non-profit organizations. This outreach represents the very essence of Prep's Jesuit identity. On this night we honor that example by one of our most loyal sons. ��
� The Legends of Prep �
Sam C. DiFeo, ‘32 Unlike many of its urban counterparts, Jersey City is not a "company town." Especially with the closure of Colgate's waterfront factories, the city's business landscape is defined by the commercial newcomers that have taken up residence on the country's latest gold coast. However, there is one high-profile enterprise that has provided a commercial thread through the past six decades-a series of automobile dealerships whose stability and ubiquitous nature say much about the resiliency of Jersey City itself. And they have one thing in common: DiFeo is part of the name. It is an urban success story that reflects the company's patriarch, Sam DiFeo, who himself is a case study of successful entrepreneurship--and an example of how ethics and community involvement can be the cornerstones of a successful business endeavor. Sam was born in 1915 to Joseph and Cecilia DiFeo, who would open Joe DiFeo's Pastry Shop on First Street in Jersey City in 1920. He attended P.S. #5 and graduated from the Prep in 1932, working in the shop after school and on weekends and continuing this practice while attending NYU. In 1938, just blocks from the shop's new location on Brunswick Street, he met Julia Massano, a registered nurse. They married in 1942. In 1945, Sam and a partner opened a used car lot on Fifth Street in Jersey City, and four years later he purchased his first dealership, a Chrysler outlet in Linden, N.J. He operated it until 1953, when he opened his first dealership in Hudson County, DiFeo Buick on Kennedy Boulevard in West New York. The businesses continued to grow: DiFeo Buick, Hudson Toyota, Park Pontiac, J&F Oldsmobile, DiFeo VW, J&S Ford, DiFeo Subaru and DiFeo Mitsubishi. But even as his dealerships branched out, he remained faithful to his Jersey City roots, and to this day he is revered for his generosity toward the town of his youth. Sam and Julia have four children, including two Prep graduates, and have been blessed with 14 grandchildren. Although he resides in Spring Lake, he drives to Jersey City several times each week, meeting with the managers of the dealerships. At the age of 88, he is as active as colleagues many decades his junior. St. Peter's Prep has been blessed by Sam's involvement on many levels. He is a founding member of our golf tournament, and, in fact, the event is known as the Saint Peter's Prep--DiFeo Auto Group Golf Tournament in recognition of the family's lead sponsorships. An ongoing member of the President's Council, he and Julia recently established endowed scholarships at both the Prep and Saint Peter's College, and he remains involved in the United Way, the Jersey City Boys' and Girls' Clubs, and the Dante Alighieri Society, among other institutions. Appropriately, Sam was installed as a Knight of Malta in 1975. His classmates wrote of Sam in the 1932 Petrean: "As a student, he was an example worthy of imitation…He is ever seeking new worlds to conquer. We are most certain that 'Sam' will make a great success of his life." Prophetic words, indeed. ��
� The Legends of Prep �
Hubert O’Toole, ‘51 Like St. Peter's Prep itself, Hubie O'Toole is fiercely proud of his heritage--every part of it. And, thus, he continues to be a wonderful ambassador for his Irish lineage and his Jesuit education alike. Born in Jersey City to immigrants from County Mayo, he grew up in a household that embraced the qualities that were to become the hallmarks of his personal life and his professional career--most notably, caring, loyalty, dedication and faith. He honed these attributes in the classroom, beginning with the Sisters of Charity at Saint Aloysius Grammar School and continuing through his eight years of Jesuit education at the Prep and Saint Peter's College. As friends and colleagues, both past and present, can attest, determination, tenacity and a keen eye for detail also became part of his repertoire, and the combination would serve him well throughout his lifetime. Like most youngsters in his neighborhood, Hubie's early working career was quite diverse, ranging from delivering the Jersey Journal and serving as a clerk at a West Side Avenue pharmacy, to, later, driving a Pepsi Cola delivery truck. An ROTC graduate, he served with distinction as an infantry lieutenant in Korea, and his post-military career again found him working in such disparate fields as women's clothing merchandising and the sale of computer services to corporations. He ultimately entered the field that would define his professional life--providing investment advice for his clients of Merrill Lynch--rising to the position of first vice president before retiring in 2002 after 31 years of service to that firm's many clients. Hubie's dedication to the ideals of the Ignatian spirit has seen him become a stalwart supporter of various Jesuit institutions and their programs. He has served as president of the Saint Peter's College Alumni Association, as well as two terms as a member of Prep's board of trustees. Not surprisingly, as a trustee Hubie was asked to chair Prep's investment committee, and his wealth of experience, including an encyclopedic knowledge of market trends and forecasts, helped nurture the school's endowment through a period of remarkable stability during a volatile economic climate. A longtime member of the President's Council, Hubie also has established endowed scholarships at both the Prep and St. Peter's College. In addition, he has served as chairman of the board of trustees of Loyola Retreat House in Morristown and of Saint Ann's Home for the Aged in Jersey City. The love and support of his two children helped Hubie through the loss of his beloved wife Emily, and retirement has allowed him and his wife Marie to spend quality time with the children and grandchildren. As avid golfers, they also continue to refine their game on courses across the country. Given his precise nature, it is not surprising that Hubie can still recite passages from The Iliad and The Odyssey, and, with little prompting, he may render an Irish ballad or two. In every way, like his Jesuit training, he remains one of Prep's true classics. ��
� The Legends of Prep �
Ernest J. Baker, ‘38 The 1938 Petrean states: "Everyone knows the likable, fun-loving Prepster named 'Bake' whose quips and puns kept the class alive. We, the class of 1938, dub him the typical Prep graduate because of his scholastic standing, his interest in school activities and his general good fellowship." This is such an apropos statement about a man who would live the rest of his life in this exact manner. Born in Jersey City in 1920, Ernie was a lifelong member of St. Aedan's Parish, where he would serve as acolyte, lector and Eucharistic Minister. At the Prep, he continued to be true to his faith as a member of the Sodality; he also received honors all four years and in his senior year was elected class vice-president. After meeting a St. Dom's girl, Claire Bell, the pair would be inseparable for the next half century, welcoming two daughters and two sons into the family. The sons, of course, would attend their dad’s alma mater--a natural progression for two boys who had been present at so many Prep events in their youth, including numerous Prep-Dickinson football games. Following a sales career at Allied Plastics, Ernie spent many years as a draftsman for A. Wilson & Company, from which he retired. When the Prep Alumni Association was formed in 1991, Ernie was a charter member of its executive committee. On paper, he was the committee's "elder statesman." But the spring in his step, coupled with his boundless energy and wealth of insights, made him a role model for his colleagues, some of whom were five decades his junior. He was as quick to roll up his sleeves and provide logistical support as he was to offer perspectives regarding how to keep alumni of all ages connected with the school. He showed this same drive at every Prep phonathon, serving as an extraordinary class chairman. Fittingly, he received Prep's St. Ignatius Award for Distinguished Alumni and Benefactors at the 1995 graduation ceremony. Besides his service to St. Aedan's and to the Prep, he volunteered with the Jersey City Public Library literacy program, teaching adults to read; served as a docent at the Liberty Science Center; and assisted at the St. Francis Hospital Geriatric Department, reading to the residents. He also found time to complete his B.A. from Jersey City State in 1992, at the age of 72. (His family joked that he was on course to get his doctorate by 2046.) These accomplishments were recognized by the Jersey Journal in 1999 when they presented him with the prestigious Everyday Hero Award, given to the unsung heroes of Hudson County. Ernie went to Our Lord in 2002. This devoted family man would not want us to end this profile without mentioning his ten beloved grandchildren, with whom he spent countless hours as chauffeur to various athletic events. In terms of service to family, alma mater and community, Ernie set the bar almost unreachably high for the rest of us. In that and in so many other ways, he is, truly, the stuff of which Legends are made. ��
PREVIOUS “LEGENDS” HONOREES �2001� Vincent P. Butler, Jr., M.D., '45 Mr. John J. Casey, III Mr. Joseph M. Cooney, '45 Mr. Robert P. Howard, '41
Mr. Kenneth F. Kunzman, '54 Mr. Robert A. McGuinness Mr. Robert F. Mulvihill
�1999� Fr. Raymond J. Balduf, S.J. Fr. Francis J. Hamill, S.J., '46 Coach Roy H. Leenig Mr. Donald P. Moriarty, '48
Mr.Louis J. Parisi, '44 Mr. Joseph W. Sinnott, '17 Mr. Thomas J. Sullivan, '53 Fr. Raymond York, S.J.
�1997� Joseph V. Braddock, Ph.D., '47 Coach William (Bill) Cochrane Ms. Catherine J. Collins
Msgr. William J. Linder, '54 Fr. Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., '62
Prep’s Founding Jesuits also were honored in 1997: A DMINISTRATION Fr. John Bapst, S.J. Fr. Victor Beaudevin, S.J.
Fr. George Kenny, S.J. Fr. John McQuaid, S.J. F ACULTY
Mr. Francis Gunn, S.J. Fr. Charles O’Connor, S.J. Mr. Robert Pardow, S.J.
Fr. Ignatius Renaud, S.J. Mr. James Smith, S.J.
�1995� Fr. John E. Browing, S.J., '46 Coach Jerome T. (Jerry) Halligan
Fr. Francis J. Shalloe, S.J.
�1993� Fr. Charles F.X. Dolan, S.J., '32 Fr. Earle L. Markey, S.J., '49
Mr. Clement C. O'Sullivan, '23 Mr. Charles J. Rooney
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Please join us in thanking the following alumni who so generously donated their services to this event: Mr. Charles F.X. Poggi, '49 President, Poggi Press
Mr. Joseph Villanella, '79 President, CD Graphics
(Printing of invitations and envelopes)
(Printing of tonight’s program)
Mr. Mark Wyville, '76 (Photography)
Tuxedos for this evening’s student ushers have been provided, with our gratitude, by Roseann & Dennis Vallone, P'99,'02, of Tuxedos by Rose, North Bergen, New Jersey.
A very special thanks to: Dave Donnelly, '88, Director of Alumni Relations, for coordinating the many aspects of tonight’s event. Ginny Needham-Doyle, P'07, Director of Communications for her creative support of tonight's program. Lani Batac, Assistant to the Alumni & Development Directors, for her daily logistical support.
We also acknowledge the behind-the-scenes logistical support from the following: Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J. President
Jim Horan, '70 Vice President for External Affairs
and members of the Prep staff Marge Baker, Nancy Cunningham, P'99,'01, Mary Finn, P'93,'99, John Irvine, '83, Maryphyllis Locricchio, P'95,'96, and Liz Walsh.
Finally, our thanks to the Prep Alumni Board, who once again helped ensure the success of this event. Lou Castelli, '66 ......................................................President John Feeney, '80 ..............................................Vice President Steve Hudik, '85 ......................................................Secretary Markis Abraham, '97 Ray Aumack, '55 John Bergin, '50 Gene Boyle, '56 Joe Cassazza, '95 Jack Caulfield, '71 Nicholas Chiaravalloti, '90 Bob Colacurcio, '73 Tom Crowley, '65 Len De Pinto, '76 Sam DiFeo, '66
Ralph Diverio, '46 Dave Donnelly, '88* David Finn, '82 John Gibney, '81 Joe Giglio, '87 Joe Guarino, '86 Rich Hamilton, '90 Jim Hardiman, '47 Jim Horan, '70* Jim Keenan, S.J.* Jerry Lally, '56 * - ex officio
Ed Marley, '44 Joe Massarelli, '80 Phil McGovern, '76 Bob McNamara, '51 Chris Piparo, '82 Jim Ryan, '66 Jack Savage, '57 Paul Schaetzle, '71 Charlie Sciarra, '87 T.J. Sullivan, '93 Jim Supple, '65