Professional Achievement and Service Awards
October 19, 2017 | The Grove | Cedar Grove, New Jersey
congratulations
Billy Fitzgerald recipient of the
Young Alumnus Award and to all of the
Thank you for your dedication Vito John Germinario Class of 1970
2017 Professional Achievement and Service Awards Master of Ceremonies Frank Briamonte, ’86 t Invocation and Welcome t Billy Fitzgerald, ’99 Young Alumnus Award
Tony Cardino, P’88,’92,’00 Friend of Prep Award
Barry La Forgia, ’63
Ernie Baker, ’38 Community Service Award
Paul Audet, ’71
Professional Achievement Award
Bill Connolly, ’65
Professional Achievement Award
Brian Daley, S.J., ’57
Professional Achievement Award
Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01
Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award
Pat Downes, ’57
Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award
t Pride & Glory
Billy Fitzgerald, ’99 Young Alumnus Award Following a freshman orientation during which he recalls “realizing I was now part of something bigger than myself,” Billy Fitzgerald wasted no time in earning the recognition of his fellow Prep men. By the spring of 1996, he had been voted an Outstanding Freshman by his classmates. By the time he received the Scholar-Athlete Award at graduation, he had been elected to the Student Council four times, earned the Tommy Myers MVP Trophy while serving as a football team co-captain, experienced the Emmaus retreat both as a junior and as a senior leader, and was named to the National Honor Society. Tonight, we add another well-deserved accolade. Both in his work as a special education teacher in Union City, and in his extensive service to Prep, Billy has proven time and again that Prep’s lessons on living as a “Man for Others” were well-learned. Building on the spiritual experiences he enjoyed as a student, Billy is an active member of the Alumni Spirituality Committee, and a fixture at its events such as Theology on Tap. Since 2008, he has been the offensive coordinator for Prep Football. In that role, he has formed lifelong friendships with dozens of young players, and experienced both the exhiliration of winning a state championship in 2014 – an opportunity he hadn’t had as a player – and the solemn pride that came with falling just short in 2013. Recalling that heartbreaking loss to Paramus Catholic, Billy said, “The effort our team gave despite incredible odds was what this school is all about.” Those are wise words from a man whose actions also demonstrate what Prep – and being a young alumnus of Prep – is all about.
Tony Cardino, P’88,’92,’00 Friend of Prep Award The Prep Parents’ Association is a fixture of Prep life, helping to foster a sense of Prep as a family of families at each step of the journey – staffing everything from open houses to graduation, and hosting social events and fundraisers including the Fashion Show, Christmas and end-of-year parties, and the ever-popular Mother-Son Dance in between. It’s truly remarkable that such a wide-ranging organization should still bear the fingerprints of its first co-president 25 years after its formation, but that’s a testament to the energy and passion Tony Cardino brought to the role. When the Prep Mothers’ Club and Prep Fathers’ Club merged into the Parents’ Association in 1992, it was a logical choice to ask Tony, a successful and enthusiastic Fathers’ Club president, to take the helm. He guided the new organization to outstanding growth in fundraising income and greater visibility within the school community, as “Night at the Races” and parent-son outings to professional sporting events became cherished fixtures on the Prep calendar. It was a given that when Tony’s youngest son, Brian, came to Prep, Tony would be invited to lead the PPA once again. Seventeen years after his three sons graduated, he has remained a stalwart presence at JUG Night each Thanksgiving weekend, checking IDs at the beer table and cooking up untold hundreds of hot dogs for the masses of young alumni. Tonight we repay some small portion of Tony’s many favors to Saint Peter’s Prep, the work of a Prep parent whose affection for the school rivals that of any alumnus – even his sons, David, ’88, Mike, ’92 (president of Prep’s Alumni Board)., and Brian, ’00!
Barry La Forgia, ’63 Ernie Baker, ’38 Community Service Award Barry La Forgia has dedicated his life to service and the needs of others on a global scale. As a class officer, top academic performer, and four-year member of Prep’s gymnastics team, not to mention a commuter from then-distant Nutley, Barry kept busy throughout his years at Prep, and he has never slowed down. After leaving Grand & Warren, Barry attended the United States Air Force Academy, flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War, and earned advanced degrees in economics, business, and law, from Georgetown, Hardin Simmons, and the University of San Diego. Soon after, he ran a successful law and real estate practice for 12 years. But it was during the mid-1980s, as Barry participated in church mission trips to the Peruvian Amazon and Mexico City, that his most important work began. As he built homes for impoverished people and worked to clean up one of the world’s largest garbage dumps, he was inspired to develop his own initiative. He left his legal practice in 1988, and created International Relief Teams, a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering by providing health services and assistance to victims of disaster, poverty and neglect worldwide. Since then, IRT has provided $6.7 million in services and $372 million in medicine and supplies to families in over 68 countries. Barry’s work has been recognized by many of the places he has called home: he is a member of the Nutley Hall of Fame, a City Club of San Diego “Citizen of the Year,” and an honoree at the University of San Diego’s 2017 Alumni Honors banquet. Tonight, his home at Grand & Warren joins that list. His tireless service to the community embodies the spirit of the late Ernie Baker, ’38, P’67,’71, and provides us all an example of how to live as a “man for others.”
Paul Audet, ’71 Professional Achievement Award A businessman of outstanding vision and work ethic, Paul Audet has been a tremendous asset to every organization he has touched – from BlackRock, Inc., where he recently retired as vice chairman, to his alma mater, where he serves on Prep’s Board of Turstees. Paul’s career in finance has taken him to such firms as Price Waterhouse, PaineWebber, First Fidelity Bancorp, and PNC Bank. As Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at PNC, Paul led the acquisition of BlackRock for $240 million in 1994. In 20 years with BlackRock, Paul took on key roles, including CFO, Head of Global Cash Management, Head of Global Real Estate, Head of US Active Mutual Funds, and Senior Managing Director. Paul’s expertise helped BlackRock grow into one of the world’s largest publicly-traded investment firms, with assets under management exceeding $4.6 trillion in 2014. He played a crucial role in taking BlackRock public in 1999, and by the time of his retirement 15 years later, its market value had increased more than sixtyfold. No wonder, in 2013, BlackRock joined Google, Facebook, Amazon, and eBay as the only five companies under 25 years old among Fortune’s 50 Most Admired list. Today, Paul serves as the Managing Member of Symmetrical Ventures, a firm providing funding to small companies and innovators who show promise not only as worthy investments, but also in providing goods or services that can benefit others. That same vision and passion for helping to foster growth serve Prep well through Paul’s work as a trustee, while his generous support of Imagine: The Fund for Saint Peter’s Prep further guarantees future generations of Prep men will reap the benefits for years to come.
Bill Connolly, ’65 Professional Achievement Award In 34 years as president of William H. Connolly & Co., Bill Connolly has overseen the growth of a family business into one of New Jersey’s leading insurance brokerages, and one particularly noted for its service to schools (including Saint Peter’s Prep), hospitals, and other nonprofit clients. A nominator noted that the company reflects Bill himself: professional, dilligent, and respectful of clients’ needs, all of which was key to helping Prep rebound from $2.2 million in Hurricane Sandy damages. Bill joined the firm in 1969 after graduating from Fairfield University, and was named president in 1983. In addition to his management role, he personally handles numerous accounts in the institutional, health and hospital, manufacturing, and professional service sectors. His expertise has made him a valued member of various advisory committees and councils over the years, including the Governor’s Panel on Medical Malpractice Insurance, formed in the 1990s to address a then-current crisis within New Jersey. He continues to be sought after as a speaker at local, regional and national events, on topics including malpractice insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and insurance and ethics. Bill is a past president of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Tooling and Manufacturing Association, which honored him with its Gustav Reinke Award in 1991; a past member of the Development Committee at Caldwell College; a past trustee of Fairfield University and a member of the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame; and, since succeeding his father upon his passing in 1986, a trustee of Saint Benedict’s Prep in Newark, where he has served as chairman since 2007. Bill and his wife of nearly 40 years, Melinda, reside in Montclair. They are the parents of Kristen and Will (both actors), and Jim (a vice president in the family business).
Brian Daley, S.J., ’57 Professional Achievement Award “Fr. Daley’s career suggests all things are possible for a Prep graduate,” wrote one nominator. “It also reminds them that they need not look just at conventional ways to success.” Indeed, while we’re quick to think of Prep’s leading lights in fields like business, medicine, and law, one of our most highly acclaimed alumni has devoted his life to patristics – i.e. the study of early Christianity, in the time of the “Church Fathers.” Both Prep’s and Fordham University’s first Rhodes Scholar (he’s now one of three from Prep), Brian Daley, S.J. is now the Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He arrived in South Bend in 1996, following 18 years on the faculty of the Weston School of Theology, and has served as president of the North American Patristics Society and, currently, executive secretary of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation. His extensive writings on Christology, eschatology, Mariology, philanthropy, and scriptural exegesis have made him a sought-after speaker, and a leading voice in ecumenical dialogue. In 2012, his work earned him the Ratzinger Prize for Theology – his discipline’s equivalent of a Nobel Prize – which was presented by Pope Benedict himself. Upon learning Fr. Daley is fluent in German, the pope engaged him in a lengthy conversation. Although a Prep Professional Achievement Award can’t quite match the prestige of that honor, nor several others Fr. Daley has already attained, it is nonetheless well deserved. And as he celebrates his 60th reunion this weekend along with fellow honoree Pat Downes, the timing couldn’t be better!
Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01 Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award There are few moments in life more satisfying than a son following in a father’s footsteps. But a father following in a son’s footsteps, while less common, is perhaps even more special. So it is with Lou Castelli, who follows his son, Brian, ’01, as a Prep Hall of Fame honoree. Lou’s unwavering devotion to his alma mater and his fellow alumni has made him a ubiquitous part of Prep life over the years. He was an active member of the Prep Parents’ Association while Brian was a student, and remains a stalwart Phonathon caller, offering gentle encouragement to his classmates in support of the Annual Fund each year. Prep administrators have long known they can always rely on Lou’s wisdom and counsel to advance the best interests of the Prep community. Wherever he has directed his efforts, the thoughtful attention to detail that serves Lou so well as a CPA has likewise served Prep and its alumni. He has served on Prep’s Alumni Board for 21 years, helping to shape the ongoing bond between far-flung Prep men and their home at Grand & Warren. Fittingly, during his years as president of the Alumni Board (2001-06), he was instrumental in creating the Professional Achievement and Service Awards that we celebrate tonight. A native of Jersey City, Lou came to Prep from Our Lady of Victories grammar school (which, one nominator noted, certifies him as “a gentleman and a scholar”), following his brother John, ’62. He has been a self-employed accountant since 2001, after more than 30 years’ tax accounting experience at Coopers & Lybrand, Unitd Artists Corporation, and Lucent Technologies. He and Joanne, his wife of 46 years, live in Manahawkin, and are the parents of Brian, ’01 and Adrienne.
Pat Downes, ’57 Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award An accomplished engineer, who retired from PSE&G as vice president for electrical distribution following a long and distinguished career with New Jersey’s largest electrical utility, Pat Downes might be a contender for this evening’s Professional Achievement Awards. But for all he’s done to keep the lights on around the state over the years, his devotion to Prep has shone still brighter. That’s why we honor him tonight with an award named for Br. Paul Harrison, a man who would do anything for Prep. Like many alumni, Pat recalls his years at Grand & Warren as formative in multiple areas – what he referred to as a “three-legged stool” of academics, athletics (as a member of the 1956 state champion football team), and lifelong friendships with his classmates. Likewise, his support for Prep has stood upon three distinct legs. He and wife Joanne (the niece of Prep Legend Ed McNally, 1917) have consistently supported Prep’s Annual Fund since its inception in 1982, along with each of Prep’s capital campaigns. Pat also served on Prep’s Board of Trustees from 2000-06, helping to guide the school’s continued growth. And finally, Pat has often served as a liaison between Prep and PSE&G. Memorably, as Prep worked to recover from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the school reached out to Pat for help in restoring electricity to campus. Within a day of his trademark “Let me see what I can do,” the power was back on, thanks to two crews and a senior manager who arrived and said, “We understand you folks can use some help.” As a nominator noted, that intervention was “just the most visible of the decades of quiet, behind-the-scenes support he has provided to his beloved alma mater.”
Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Class of 2017! The Sixtieth Reunion Class of 1957 honors
Brian Daley, S.J. and Patrick Downes
for their enduring and faithful commitment to the ideals of Jesuit education at “Grand and Warren” and beyond!
Beth and Jack Savage, ’57
Tony: For all those past JUG Nights... Great memories, and great hot dogs! Jon Hammer, ’68
Congratulations, Tony! Best Wishes to All the Honorees ❧ Sarah and Jack Raslowsky ’79
We, along with our families, would like to congratulate our father, Anthony Cardino on being honored with the Friend of Prep award! Since September of 1984, you have epitomized what a Friend of Prep should be. For these past 33 years, you have promoted the school and have always been willing to lend a hand. We would also like to thank Prep, especially Father Keenan and Father Azzarto for being as good a friend to Tony as he has been to the school. We all greatly appreciate this honor.
David, ’88 | Michael, ’92 | Brian, ’00
GO PREP! Paul Schaetzle, ’71
Louie, Louie We’re happy to see you following in the footsteps of your son, Brian, ’01, into the Prep Hall of Fame!
Veronica & Gerald P. Tyne, ’66
Congratulations Lou Castelli ’66, P’01 Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award
Love, Joanne Adrienne Frank Brian Kim Olivia and
Rocco too!
and Joseph C. Amoroso, Esq., ’94
Proudly extend congratulations & best wishes to the 2017 Hall of Fame honorees: Professional Achievement Awards Brian Daley, S.J., ’57 William Connolly, ’65 Paul Audet, ’71 Br. Paul Harrison, S.J. Spirit of Prep Award Patrick Downes, ’57 Louis Castelli, ’66 Ernie Baker, ’38 Community Service Award A. Barry LaForgia, ’63 Young Alumnus Award William Fitzgerald, ’99 Friend of Prep Award Anthony Cardino, P’88,’92,’00
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Congratulations Congratulationstotoall allofofthe the Honorees Honorees Charles Charles J. J. Sciarra Sciarra ’87, ’87, P ‘21 P ‘21
Acknowledgements & Special Thanks Prep’s Office of Institutional Advancement, along with other members of the Saint Peter’s Prep staff, have played an essential role in ensuring the success of this evening’s event. In particular, we thank the following. For Their Leadership Support:
Ken Boller, S.J. President
Kate Lillis-Magnus Interim Chief Advancement Officer
Mike Murcia, ’08
Director of Alumni Relations
For Their Ongoing Logistical Support: Jim Horan, ’70, Mike Jiran, ’03, Debbie Peko-Lillis, P’10, Dalma Santana and Liz Walsh Program Design: Mike Jiran, ’03 The Hall of Fame Professional Achievement and Service Awards were created in 2006 by the Saint Peter’s Prep Alumni Board, which sponsors this evening’s induction ceremony and dinner. For their leadership and continued support, we wish to thank the members of the Alumni Board:
Al Rinaldi, ’98 Vice President Joe Amoroso, ’94 Ray Aumack, ’55 Tony Azzarto, S.J. Joe Battista, ’02 Kenneth J. Boller, S.J. Kevin Brodbeck, ’89 Brendan Bryant, ’08 Lou Castelli, ’66 Jack Caulfield, ’71 Lou Cella, ’50
Mike Cardino, ’92 President
Bob Colacurcio, ’73 Len De Pinto, ’76 Sam De Luca, ’86 Mark DiGesu, ’99 Gabe Doria, ’81 Al Fazio, ’77 John Feeney, ’80 Joe Giglio, ’87 Mark Goldsack, ’00
Sean McNally, ’97 Secretary Steve Hudik, ’85 Christopher Keating, ’05 Jerry Lally, ’56 Tom Leane, ’04 Joe Massarelli, ’80 Tim Mernar, ’10 Jim Ryan, ’66 Jack Savage, ’57 Paul Schaetzle, ’71 George Taite, ’73
We are grateful to our sponsors, whose generous contributions support the Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund. Hall of Fame Circle:
William H. Connolly, Jr., ’65 Maroon & White Club:
Anne Fitzgerald, P’99 in honor of Billy Fitzgerald, ’99 Jesuit, Honoree and Faculty Sponsors: Alec F. Clerihew, ’57
in honor of Brian Daley, S.J. ’57 and Pat Downes, ’57
J. Paul Schaetzle, ’71
James Tuttle, ’57
John Verdon, ’57
in honor of Brian Daley, S.J. ’57 and Pat Downes, ’57
Gifts to the Hall of Fame Scholarship: Philip A. Cole, ’57
Charles Glashausser, ’57 in honor of Brian Daley, S.J. ’57 Gregory Hochstein, ’62
Henry Kolokowsky, ’57 in honor of Brian Daley, S.J. ’57 Lincoln Manzi, ’65 in honor of Bill Connolly, ’65
Raphael Ortiz, ’10 in honor of Billy Fitzgerald, ’99
Alfred Sattelberger, ’66 in honor of Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01
XAVIER H I G H
S C H O O L
Jesuit Education Since 1847
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2017 HALL OF FAME HONOREES s Rev. James Croghan, S.J. ’73, Rector, Xavier Jesuit Community Jack Raslowsky ’79, President Brian McCabe ’92, Dean of Faculty
30 West 16th Street • New York, NY 10011-6302 (212) 924-7900 • www.xavierhs.org
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June 18, 2018 | Galloping Hill Golf Course |
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$200 per golfer, through December 31! Register at spprep.org/Golf today!
For sponsorship opportunities, or more information, contact Mike Murcia, ’08 at MurciaM@spprep.org or 201-547-6413
We gratefully acknowledge these additional gifts to the Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund. Michael Giambalvo, ’80 Joseph Silva, ’62
Congratulations, Billy! You make us proud every single day! Mom, Dad, Meghan, Cait, and Dan
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 Saint Peter’s so royal May your banners still guide us Wherever we go It is a story of gladness With no shadow of sadness Our years spent with you Saint 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
Congratulations 2017 Inductees
We are so proud to join St. Peter’s Prep in honoring our President and CEO, Bill Connolly