3 minute read
Homecoming Weekend• 6
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More than 200 alumni, friends and family members participated in all aspects of the annual First Responders 5K Fun Run and Walk on Sunday, October 24th. There were plenty of raffle prizes, food and drink. The 2021 honorees were Mark Hamlin ‘84, Assistant Chief of Police, Tampa Police Department (Ret.); Eddie Boles ‘81, Battalion Chief, FDNY & John Corbisiero ‘82, Inspector, NYPD. Prep also recognized the healthcare workers who were front and center in the fight against COVID-19. During a riveting and poignant ceremony, roses were placed atop of a memorial banner in honor of all of the members of the SFP community who were lost on 9/11.
The event committee, Denise Tracey ‘80, Robert Cottumaccio ‘80, and Barbara Gillispie ‘80 and Wally Bishop ‘80 expressed their appreciation to everyone for coming out for the Prep and in honor of these heroic first responders.
Pictured: (1) Paying tribute to FDNY’s Michael“Big Mike” Lynch ‘86; his sister, Bernadette (Lynch) Rafferty and widow, Denise Lynch. (2) Brian Fink ‘04 crosses the finish line. (3) Honoree Eddie Boles ‘81 (4) The SFP Cheerleaders welcomed members of the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD and filled the day with spirit. (5) Marlon Morris ‘84 and his wonderful daughter, Sophia Morris ‘25 helped bring out the Terrier spirit. Marlon is an Alumni Board Member and Football alumnus, (6) Event organizers (l-r): Wally Bishop ‘80, Barbara Gillespie ‘82 and Denise Tracy ‘80 present, 2021 honoree, John Corbisiero ‘82 with an SFP sweater. (7) Ceremonial Unit representatives from NYPD, FDNY & PAPD were present. 6. 2.
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The First Responders Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at St. Francis Prep through the generosity of Christopher J. Greene and Teresa Downing-Greene ‘81 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and to honor the selfless sacrifice of all first responders. The scholarship award will be presented on September 11th each year in memory of a fallen hero and member of the Police Department, Fire Department or Emergency Medical Team who made the ultimate sacrifice either on 9/11 or in the performance of their duties before or after the tragic events of 9/11. The scholarship fund will ease the burden of tuition each year for a deserving senior student and preference will be given (but not limited to) children of Police, Fire or Emergency Medical personnel. The first scholarship award honored the memory of Matthew Garvey ‘81 who was a member of the FDNY’s elite Squad 1 and a highly decorated military veteran who served in Beirut, Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
On 9/11, Mathew and his fellow squad members aided in the evacuation of thousands of people from the south tower of the World Trade Center. The tower’s collapse killed him and his entire squad.
St. Francis Prep
Remembers
God Bless America “High School is four years; St. Francis Prep is Forever” Prep senior, Nadia Hardy ‘22 was the proud recipient of the 2021 inaugural scholarship award. Pictured above: Matthew Garvey ‘81 • FDNY Father Ralph Edel (Chaplain); Patrick McLaughlin (SFP Principal); Christopher J. Greene (Benefactor) Bro. Leonard Conway (President); Teresa Downing-Greene ‘81 (Benefactor); Nadia Hardy (Inaugural Scholarship Recipient); Nadia’s mother, Terel and grandmother; Denise Tracey ‘80 (Alumni Board); Wally Bishop ‘80 (Alumni Board President) Bro. Robert Kent (Alumni Director) and Robert T. Angeletti (Director of Development) Photo inset: Matthew Garvey ‘81. Pictured right: With the Prep Alumni Memorial 9/11 banner as the backdrop, Teresa Downing-Greene ‘81 speaks about Mathew Garvey’s life of courageous service, scholarship, and achievements.
To view the 9/11 video tribute and the scholarship presentation ceremony on your phone or tablet, scan the QR code. Here’s how: 1. Open the camera app. 2. Select the rear-facing camera in Photo or Camera mode. 3. Center the QR code that you want to scan on the screen and hold your phone steady for a couple of seconds. 4. Tap the notification that pops up to open the link. (You will need to be connected to the Internet to do this.)
