St. Francis Preparatory School Founded by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn in 1858
GRAD NEWS
Summer/Fall 2012
SFP Walk-a-thon on Track to Raise $1 Million for Capital Improvement and Modernization Program
Principal’s Message Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F.
Dear Graduates and Friends, This 2012-13 school year marks my 30th year as Principal of St. Francis Prep, and I remain extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead such a wonderful school that continues to provide an outstanding education in the Franciscan tradition to students who come from all walks of life. As you may know, next year at this time the Prep will be instituting a new administrative model, and I will assume the role of President while our long-time Assistant Principal, Mr. Patrick J. McLaughlin ’73, will take over as Principal. We believe this is a very natural progression for the Prep, as we continue to build on our past success while judiciously preparing the school for The Next 150. As it happens, this new administrative structure coincides with our ongoing “Master Plan for Modernization” as well as The Campaign for St. Francis Prep which has now begun its second stage under the leadership of our new Campaign Chairman, Mr. John J. Brown ’76 to whom we owe a large debt of gratitude for his willingness to “go the extra mile” in support of this important effort. So, after years of very careful planning, the dream of vastly improved facilities is becoming a reality thanks to the foresight of the Board of Trustees, the tremendous generosity of our alumni and benefactors, and the help and cooperation of our extraordinarily dedicated faculty and staff. The first commitment of $1 million toward our new $10 million campaign goal will be realized through a series of annual walk-a-thon events. The first of these events last fall was very successful and raised over $260,000. Our entire student body, faculty and staff participated. The second annual walk-a-thon event is scheduled for October 5th. In addition, this past spring we were fortunate to have been the recipient of a $100,000 grant from The Theresa and Edward O’Toole Foundation. This grant has been earmarked for the campaign and
specifically for the proposed new Music and Science Building which we hope to break ground for next June. This follows last September’s dedication of The Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Fitness and Athletic Training Center and The Art Education Center—both of which are beautiful facilities that have had an enormously positive impact on our teaching and learning environment. And as we look to the future of the Prep, we remain on solid ground enrollment-wise and continue to be the largest private, non-diocesan, Catholic high school in the country with over 2,600 students. Most importantly though, and in keeping with our long-standing tradition, nearly every member (99%) of this past June’s graduating class of 635 students is now enrolled in college for the fall semester, including many of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country, and they were awarded in excess of $75 million in scholarships! This speaks volumes about the high quality, value-oriented education that we continue to provide for our students each and every year—in keeping with our Franciscan mission. I hope you will read through these pages and be reminded once again of the many events and activities that help keep you involved with us here at the Prep. And please remember, we could not do all these wonderful things for our students without you! Thank you and God bless you! Yours in St. Francis,
Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F. Principal
GRAD NEWS
Contents
ALUMNI/DEVELOPMENT TEAM Bro. Robert Kent, O.S.F. Alumni Director Robert T. Angeletti Director of Development Michael Graziano Assoc. Director of Development
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Recent Alumni Events
The SFP Alumni Association hosts more than two dozen events and activities throughout the year.
Sally Khan Assoc. Director of Development Maria Velazquez Assistant to the Director of Development Nancy DeStefano Assistant to the Alumni Director ALUMNI BOARD EDITORIAL COMMITTEE John S. Pereira ‘62 Gerry Scales ‘76 PHOTO CREDITS Michael Graziano San Fran Yearbook Vincent Dusovic Photography Bro. Leonard Conway Nancy Demers ‘91 SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rev. Bill Sweeney, Chaplain Sal Fischetti ‘83, Athletics Tony Grimm, Religion Dept. Donna Mejia, Art Dept. Lauren Guelli ‘02, Art Dept. Bro. Dominic Quigley PLEASE ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO: St. Francis Prep Office of Development Michael Graziano 6100 Francis Lewis Blvd. Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 Phone: (718) 423-8810 FAX : (718) 423-7813 development@sfponline.org
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Coach O’Connor: Celebrating his 60th Season Coaching the Terriers
St. Francis Prep salutes Coach O’Connor’s remarkable achievements, his loyalty to Prep and his unwavering dedication to the students of St. Francis Prep.
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What’s Happening at St. Francis Prep
Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F. highlights some of the major events and accomplishments of Prep and its students over the course of the past year.
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Grad Notes
Catch up on the latest news about achievements, awards and activities of your classmates both here and online on the SFP Alumni Website at: alumni.sfponline.org
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In Memoriam
Prep pays tribute to the many members of the community who have passed during the course of the year.
Upcoming Events 2012- 2013 Thursday, September 20, 2012 Greater Philadelphia Area Alumni Chapter Reception Drexel University 3142 Market Street Art Gallery of the Paul Peck Center
Philadelphia 6-8 p.m.
Join us for a spirited gathering of alumni living, working or attending college in the Philly area. Participants range from recent graduating classes to those from our Brooklyn campuses. Advance registration required. Admission fee. Friday, October 5, 2012 2nd Annual Walk-a-thon SFP/Cunningham Park 9:30 a.m.
Join the more than 2,700 students, staff and faculty in the Prep community for this second annual event! Last year we raised over $260,000 in support of the Capital Improvement Program. The two-mile course (approximately) is flat and runs through scenic Cunningham Park $100 in pledges requested. Event T-shirt included. Registration required.
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Thursday, October 11, 2012 Homecoming Weekend 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament In Memory of Jimmy ‘79 & James Prendergast H ‘11 St. Francis Prep Gymnasium 6:30 p.m.
Each year hundreds of alumni, family and friends participate in this annual contest in memory of Jimmy who passed at a young age from Cancer. Registration required. Admission fee. Raffles & Prizes
Events
Friday, October 12, 2012 Homecoming Weekend Golf Outing Clearview Park Willets Point Blvd. 1 p.m. tee-off
It’s a fun day out on the green in honor of the late Dan Apicella ‘00 with the goal of creating a fully endowed scholarship in his memory. Advance registration required. BBQ & Greens fees included. Raffles & Prizes Friday, October 12, 2012 Homecoming Weekend Night at Sullivan’s C.J. Sullivan’s, Bayside 8:00 p.m.
This event is a perennial favorite for so many Prep alumni! Drink specials and raffles and plenty of fun is assured.
Advance registration encouraged. Admission fee. Raffles & Prizes. Friday, October 12, 2012 Homecoming Weekend Terrier Football Game Mitchell Field, Uniondale, NY 7 p.m. Tix sold at the gate. Saturday, October 13, 2012 Homecoming Weekend Day at Belmont Racetrack Noon Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
Watch the races from the exclusive Turf and Field Room. A delicious buffet lunch will be served. This event is sure to sell out so please make your reservations early as possible. Reservations required. Admission fee. Jackets required
Sunday, October 14, 2012 Homecoming Weekend Annual 5K Fun Run in Memory of our 9/11 Heroes 8:00 a.m. St. Francis Prep
This annual event honors the memory of all members of the St. Francis Prep community that we lost on September 11, 2001. The race course weaves through scenic Cunningham Park. (Pee-Wee Race too, bring the kids!) Registration required. Advance registration fee: $20 Breakfast included.
Thursday, October 25, 2012 Greater Washington DC Area Alumni Chapter Reception 6-8 p.m. Bobby Van’s Steakhouse 1201 New York Ave NW (Between H & I Street) Washington, DC 20005-3919
Join us for a spirited gathering of alumni who live, work and attend college in the greater Washington D.C. area. Past participants have included residents of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, as well as those in town for business. Our Chapter President, William “Billy” Ashton ‘76 would like to hear from you! Email: wbashton@cox.net Reservations required. Admission fee.
Sunday, November 4, 2012 Alumni Memorial Mass Location: SFP Auditorium 11:00 a.m.
All alumni, family, friends of the Prep community are welcome to join us as we come together to remember and reflect on those who have departed in the past year. Complimentary Breakfast to follow. Reservations required.
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Class of 2007 Reunion 7:30-11:00 p.m. St. Francis Prep, Cafeteria Registration fee: $40 in Advance $50 at the Door Thursday, November 22, 2012 Thanksgiving Day “Battle on the Boulevard” Football Game SFP vs. Holy Cross H.S. Bayside High School 10 a.m.
It’s Coach O’Connor’s 60th season as Coach of the Terriers and this promises to be a day to remember as Prep takes on the Knights of Holy Cross! Arrive early!
Saturday, December 15, 2012 Christmas Party for Our Friends with Special Needs
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. St. Francis Prep Cafeteria
When Sister Joseph Agnes first organized this event so many years ago, she started a more than just a tradition. Alumni, current students, faculty and staff all pitch in and work side-by-side to serve those who might otherwise not find such joy and spirit in the Christmas season. Many individuals also contribute to the festivities as donors and sponsors. Sponsors/donations welcome. Volunteers needed.
Calendar Saturday, February 2, 2013 Class of 2003 Reunion St. Francis Prep, Cafeteria 7:30-11:00 p.m.
Registration fee: $50 in Advance $60 at the Door
Thursday, February 7, 2013 Health Care Services & Legal Services Sector Alumni Chapter Reception The Friar’s Club, Midtown 6-8 p.m.
Join us for a gathering that is both professional and social for alumni working in the Health Care and Legal industries. Participants range in age and industry experience and it’s always a splendid time for one and all! Advance registration required. Admission fee. Saturday, March 2, 2013 Florida Alumni Chapter Game & Reception Florida’s East Coast
For the past 15 years St. Francis Prep has been hosting an alumni gathering in Florida. Each year it alternates between the east coast (Palm Beach area) and the west coast (Tampa area). We try to secure a number of tickets to a “spring training” baseball game as well. This year, we will be traveling to the east
Saturday, March 23, 2013 Arizona Alumni Chapter Reception Location: TBA Time: TBA
Join us for a spirited gathering with alumni who call Arizona their home! Saturday, April 6, 2013 Reunion Celebration Class of 1993 & the Class of 1998 7:30-11:00 p.m. St. Francis Prep, Cafeteria Registration fee: $50 in Advance $60 at the Door Saturday, April 13, 2013 Principal’s Dinner
Each year St. Francis Prep’s Principal, Bro. Leonard Conway O.S.F. hosts a gathering for all generous and loyal benefactors.
Join us as we induct new members into the SFP Hall of Fame. In addition, we will celebrate the anniversary classes of 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983 and 1988. Graduates of 50+ years will be inducted into the Golden Terrier Society. Registration fee: $50 in Advance $60 at the Door
Thursday, May, 2, 2013 Financial Services Sector Alumni Chapter Reception The Friar’s Club, Midtown 6-8 p.m.
Join us for a gathering that is both professional and social for alumni working in the Financial Services Sector. Participants range in age and industry experience and it’s always a splendid time for one and all! Advance registration required. Admission fee.
Thursday, May 23, 2013 Greater Boston Area Alumni Chapter Reception Location TBA 6-8 p.m.
Join us for a spirited gathering of alumni who live, work and attend college in the greater Boston area as well as those in town for business. Our Chapter President, Gerry Hevern ‘68 would like to hear from you! You can locate him on the SFP Alumni Website. Advance registration required. Admission fee.
Monday, June, 17 2013 20th Annual Golf Classic Cherry Valley Club Garden City, NY
Join us for wonderful day on one of the finest golf courses in the area! Advance registration required. Many golf packages and sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit the SFP Alumni website for complete details. alumni.sfponline.org
By invitation only.
Call
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(718) 423-8810 ext. 259 or 268
alumni.sfponline.org
alumni@sfponline.org
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Information or to Register for any of these events:
Reservations required. Admission fee for baseball game.
Saturday, April 27, 2013 Annual Spring Reunion & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Auditorium & Cafeteria
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coast for what promises to be another splendid gathering. Mark your calendar and make plans to join us!
Recent Events
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The Annual
Principal’s Dinner
for key Benefactors, Trustees & Administrators 4.
As alumni dined, Bro. Leonard delivered an update on all of the latest developments, awards and achievements at the Prep—most notably the dedication of the new Physical Education and Athletic Training Center and the Art Education Center at St. Francis Prep.
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Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F. host ed the Annual Principal’s Dinner on Saturday, March 31, 2012 in the Prep’s library. More than 150 guests were in attendance. This annual event is the Prep’s salute to the loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends whose generosity at the “leadership” giving level helped St. Francis Prep in many wonderful ways during the past year.
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During dinner, Alexander Gilbert ‘12 spoke about his wonderful experiences
at Prep and all that SFP provided him and his fellow graduates as they head off to college in the fall. The Prep’s String Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Johnston, impressed and delighted guests with an hour-long performance. Pictured: 1. Marie DiTucci, John LaFond ‘78 and SFP Principal, Bro. Leonard Conway. 2. The Toscano Family. 3. Bob Adams ‘80 and Lisa Adams ‘80, Lisa Drivick Adams & Stephen Adams ‘85 4. John Pereira ‘62, Jack Cahill ‘67 and Robert Angeletti, Director of Development. 5. Walter Cook ‘60 & Bro. Kevin Smith ‘58. 6. Mr. & Mrs. Flynn, parents of Kelly ‘12, Mrs. Kathleen McLaughlin and Assistant Principal, Patrick McLaughlin ‘73.
Annual Alumni Memorial Mass & Brunch
Each year during the month of November, we remember and pray for all of the deceased in our community. Together we seek strength and comfort as we continue our journey of healing and reflection. At this Mass, we pray especially for all those who we have lost during the past year. All are welcome to join us and pray for all of their beloved departed. This well-attended liturgy also provides us with an opportunity to bless the new and existing memorials on the Pathway to St. Francis as well as our Wall of Honor in the gym. After all of the ceremonies conclude, a brunch is served in the school cafeteria.
1. (l-r) Mike Madden ‘77, Rev. John V. O’Farrell, Pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park and Prep’s Chaplain, Father Bill Sweeney during the “Blessing of the Bricks” and other new memorials on the Pathway to St. Francis. 2. Alumni, family and friends process to the front of the auditorium with candles as names of the deceased are read. 3. Alumni Board member Nancy Donato ‘76 arranges memorial candles. 4. The Family of the late Al Niedermeyer ‘79 at the Brunch. 5. Family and friends of the late Robert Byrnes ‘71 at the “Banners of Honor” ceremony in the gymnasium.
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Recent Events
Washington, D.C. Area Alumni Chapter East year the Washington D.C. Area Alumni Chapter attracts a growing number of alumni to this annual reception thanks to the efforts of chapter coordinator, William Ashton ‘76, and a core group of loyal supporters. Last October more than 35 attended the reception at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse. Alumni travel from Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia to attend. Many alumni who are traveling on business have also participated. Please join us for the 2012 chapter reception on Thursday evening, October 25, 6:00-8:00 PM. Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, 1201 New York Ave NW. If you would like to participate, call (718) 423-8810, ext. 335 or register online at sfponline.org/events.
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Philadelphia Area Alumni Chapter This splendid reception is sponsored by John Fry ‘76 in the President’s Suite at Drexel University. (John was appointed President of Drexel in 2010.) Approximately 30 alumni, ranging from recent graduates to alumni from the “North 6th Street” era, attended the event. Alumni Director, Bro. Robert Kent and Bro. Leonard Conway, Prep’s Principal, welcomed everyone. Development Director, Bob Angeletti and Alumni Board Vice President Gerry Scales ‘76 provided an overview of other events and activities. Please mark your calendars and make plans to join us on Thursday, September 20, 2012.
Boston Area Alumni Chapter Alumni from the greater Boston area, those in town on business, and young alumni who are studying at local universities, gathered for another fine reception in the heart of Boston last May. It was an intimate dinner gathering at Maggiano’s where chapter coordinator Gerry Hevern ‘68 spoke about his great fondness for St. Francis Prep and his desire to bring out alumni for other events and activities throughout the year. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us at our next chapter reception on Thursday, May 23, 2013. Visit the SFP Alumni Website at alumi.sfponline.org for more information.
Florida Alumni Chapter
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Alumni gathered early last March for a Yankee exhibition baseball game in the Tampa area and a lovely reception in the home of Paige & Marc ‘84 Hamlin. More than 60 alumni and friends participated in either the game and/or the reception. Prep’s Chaplain, Fr. Bill Sweeney, celebrated Mass at the Hamlin’s. Bro. Leonard Conway and Bro. Robert Kent welcomed everyone and provided an update on all of the wonderful things going on at SFP. Next spring’s reception is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2013 on the east coast.
Recent Events
Financial Services Alumni Reception
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Once again, the Financial Services Alumni Chapter brought together an impressive number alumni from a variety of disciplines within the finance industry for a professional and social networking reception. The event took place at the Friar’s Club in midtown Manhattan and more than 35 attended the reception and had an opportunity to hear about all of the latest developments at St. Francis Prep. The reception is underwritten by Vincent Pitta ‘68, who attributes his success in life to his Franciscan elementary, secondary and college education. To learn more about the next gathering, call the Development Office at (718) 423-8810, ext. 335 or visit us online at alumni.sfponline.org/events.
2013 RECEPTION THURSDAY
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Health Care & Legal Services Alumni Reception
Chapter Coordinators, Felicia Varlese ‘79 (Legal) and Nancy Demers ‘91 and Joe Pantaleo ‘03 (Health Care) worked together to host a joint reception for the two chapters this past February. In all, more than 81 alumni participated in the event hosted and sponsored by Vincent Pitta ‘68. To learn more about the next gathering on Thursday, February 7, 2013, call the Development Office at (718) 423-8810, ext. 335 or visit us online at alumni.sfponline.org/events.
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FEBRUARY
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2013 RECEPTION
Recent Events
The Classes of 2006 and 2002 thoroughly enjoyed their reunion celebrations this past year. Each of the reunion classes were lively and spirited as many of the attendees returned to Prep for the first time since their graduation. Some alumni took time out to tour the new Physical Education and Athletic Training Center as well as the new Art Education Center at Prep.
Class of 2006 Reunion • November 12, 2011
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Class of 2002 Reunion • February 4, 2012
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Recent Events
The 15th & 20th Anniversary Reunion Class Celebrations on March 10, 2012 was a fine night of laughter and fond memories. The Prep’s Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Robert Corbino, performed to everyone’s delight for the first hour. A hot buffet and open bar were served. The party lasted four hours at Prep and then many alumni continued the celebration at the various restaurants and pubs located on Bell Boulevard.
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Classes of 1992 and 1997 Reunion
UPCOMING REUNIONS 5th Anniversary
Class of 2007 Saturday, November 10, 2012
10th Anniversary
Class of 2003 Saturday, February 2, 2013
15th Anniversary
Class of 1993 Saturday, April 6, 2013
20th Anniversary
Class of 1998 Saturday, April 6, 2013
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alumni.sfponline.org
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Registration and Contact Information can be found online at the SFP Alumni Website:
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Recent Events
Annual Spring Reunion & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 28, 2012: The Annual Spring Reunion and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony once again provided a great opportunity to rediscover what made St. Francis Prep “home” for so many alumni. The Hall of Fame honors graduates who have demonstrated significant lifetime achievement and service to others. This year’s inductees were: Donald E. Kent ‘62, Peter Murphy ‘82 and Julie Chen ‘87.
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One Prepster said it best, “You can meet with many of your close friends throughout the year, but when everyone is together and back at Prep, something magical occurs...the spirit of St. Francis and excitement and joy can be felt throughout the room.” That was so very evident this year, just as it is every year as several hundred gathered in the Bro. Ralph Clifford Auditorium as three members of the reunion classes were inducted into the SFP Hall of Fame and several others were recognized for their loyalty and service to Prep. Some highlights of the evening include: (a) Alumni from the Golden Anniversary classes of 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957 and 1962 were inducted into the Golden Terrier Society and presented with special recognition medals during a brief ceremony prior to the start of the program. (b) Members of the 50th Anniversary Class of 1962 presented Brother Leonard with a check in the amount of $8,000 as their reunion class gift. Top: Prep’s Chaplain, Father Bill Sweeney celebrated Mass prior to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Bottom: Alumni Director, Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F., opened the program.
his first Masters degree at St. John’s University. (He earned his second masters degree from NYU in physical education and athletic administration.) His first teaching position was at Mater Christi Diocesan High School (now St. John’s Prep) in Astoria, Queens as a physical eduction teacher, a position he held for 15 years. In 1982, he joined Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School as a physical education teacher and a varsity boys basketball coach.
Donald E. Kent ‘62
Don is the fifth of seven children of the late Edward and Jean (Joyce) Kent. He graduated in 1958 from Holy Name School in Park Slope and served as an altar boy for three years. While at Holy Name School, Don won the Penmanship Award and played on the grammar school basketball team and was a member of Holy Name’s first track team in 1957-58. He was a sprinter and was the CYO’s 60 yard dash indoor champ as well as the 100 yard dash outdoor champ. He helped the track team win the CYO BrooklynQueens Diocesan outdoor championship in 1958. At Prep, Don ran track for two years and then joined the Varsity Basketball Team. He also wrote a column in the Seraph called “J.J. and the Playboy.”
Presently he is the chairman of McClancy’s Physical Education Department and is in his 30th year coaching the varsity basketball team at the school. He led McClancy to the city championship game in the 1990 class “B” division and took McClancy to the city championship game in the 1993 class “A” division. He is a member of the Msgr. McClancy Hall of Fame (2003), The CHSAA Hall of Fame (2005) and the New York State Basketball Coach Hall of Fame (2011). He also serves as the NYC Catholic School Representative for the State. Don has won numerous “Coach of the Year” awards including, The New York Daily News (five times), NY Newsday (three times), CHSAA Coach of the Year (six times), and The Tablet (two times). He was awarded the Sportsmanship Award by Queens Referee Board Local #119 six times in his career. He has worked at the Nike All-American Camp for six summers and has lectured at numerous camps and clinics throughout the USA. In the summer of 2004, he also coached in Australia and New Zealand. He also coached the NYC Empire State Scholastic Boys Team and won nine medals, including the Gold three times in 12 years. GRAD NEWS 2012
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Don credits his parents, Edward and Jean, for his He attended Saint Mary of the Plains College in Dodge values and character traits and is grateful to his City, Kansas. He played on the basketball team, wrote siblings Robert, Theresa, Gerard and Eddie for their the sports column for the school newspaper, served unwavering support. as a Prefect in the dorms. He was voted as “Mr. Blue,” the most exemplary senior male to graduate from the school in 1966. After graduation, Don returned to Brooklyn and worked at P.S. 10 and I.S. 188 as a youth board recreation assistant while working on
Recent Events
After Brian’s untimely death, Peter teamed up with fellow Prep football alumni, Drew Morgan ‘89, Patrick McArdle ‘89, and Tom Cook ‘89, and set out to raise $100,000 or more to permanently endow a scholarship in Brian’s name at SFP. They reached this goal and the scholarship has benefited the lives of many deserving Prepsters while honoring Brian’s memory. Peter and his lovely wife, Mary, have three children and they live in Bellrose. Despite all of the demands on his time, Peter remains involved with the students at Prep whenever his schedule allows. He often takes time out to attend practices and helps quarterbacks by providing advice to help them reach their true potential. Peter also attends the Baseball Awards Dinner each year to present a trophy in his brother’s memory.
Peter Murphy ‘82
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Peter’s leadership skills, talent and winning abilities were evident while he was a student at Prep. He was a natural leader and served as the quarterback and the captain of the Terrier Football team. Upon graduation, he went on to study at Columbia University and was also the quarterback. His talent was not limited to football and after college he played minor league baseball in the Pittsburg Pirates organization for about nine years. After college, Peter entered the business world and worked in the Finance industry for many years. Recently he transitioned to the Professional Sports industry and currently holds a position in the Commissioner’s office for Major League Baseball. He Julie Chen ‘87 oversaw operations for the MLB All Star Game this Television personality, news anchor, and producer for CBS, Julie Chen holds Prep close to her heart. She past July in Phoenix, AZ. is best known for co-anchoring CBS’ The Early Show, Peter’s physical and intellectual talents have enabled alongside Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez. She him to accomplish a great deal in his life. But it has has been the host of the U.S. version of Big Brother been his faith that has sustained him during difficult since its debut in July 2000 and is currently a co-host times. In 1997, his younger brother Brian ‘83, and the moderator of the CBS daytime series, The succumbed to a brain tumor. Peter was always by his Talk, which features a panel of five hosts, discussing side, along with his mother, comforting and aiding controversial maternal topics and contemporary Brian to help make his life as comfortable as possible issues. in his final days.
Despite her position in the spotlight, Julie has never forgotten the Prep. In the summer of 2008, Julie hosted a “Prom Week” segment on The Early Show in which her producers invited her Prep classmates to join her on the set. Later that year, Julie narrated the Prep’s 150th Anniversary video production and prepared a special “welcome” for her friends and fellow Prepsters at the 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner. She was proud and delighted to be inducted into the SFP Hall of Fame. She attended Junior High School 194 in Whitestone, where she was voted “Most Intelligent” and “Most Likely to Succeed.” After Prep, she went on to the University of Southern California and graduated in 1991 with a major in broadcast journalism and in English. Following her graduation from USC as a broadcasting and English major, Julie became a news assistant for ABC News in L.A., in September 1991. There, she focused her time on her career anchoring for both CBS Morning News and The Early Show as well as hosting the popular Summer reality television series Big Brother. One of her earlier jobs came in June 1990, interning at CBS Morning News—the series which she would anchor a decade later—where she answered phones and copied faxes for distribution. The following year, while still in school, she worked for ABC NewsOne for one season as a desk assistant. She was subsequently promoted to work as a producer for the next three years. The following year, she traveled to Dayton, OH to work as a newsanchor for WDTN-TV from 1995 to 1997.
SFP Parents Benny and Nancy DeStefano were recognized as Honorary Alumni of the Prep. Nancy is the Assistant to Brother Robert Kent in the Alumni Office and Benny is a long time supporter of the SFP Father’s Guild. Their son, Nick, is a 1998 Prep grad.
Mark Teofilo of the Music Department was recognized (posthumously) as an honorary alumnus of St. Francis Prep. He just celebrated his 25th anniversary at Prep when he passed away as a result of a heart attack on December 18, 2011. A Memorial Mass was celebrated in the Auditorium at St. Francis Prep. Mark’s family, friends and current and former students were present. The Music Department also dedicated the proceeds of the Annual Music Marathon to the establishment of a scholarship in his name. Mark was the Director of Percussion Studies at St. Francis Preparatory School since 1986. In 2002-03 he was honored with Prep’s Excellence in Education Award, bestowed upon teachers who display a high degree of dedication to the growth and development of their students.
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Mark was also a highly regarded authority and consultant in both the orchestral and marching percussion idioms. Many of his ensembles have appeared on TV. His percussion students have earned numerous top honors in the United States Scholastic Band Association championship competitions, as well as annual NYSSMA events. He will be greatly missed at Prep.
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From 1999 to 2002, Chen was the anchor for CBS Morning News and news anchor for CBS This Morning and later The Early Show, alongside Bryant Gumbel and Jane Clayson. From 2002-2010, she was a co-host for The Early Show on CBS, before leaving the daily position but remaining as a Special Contributing Anchor for the program until its cancellation. Before CBS News she was a reporter and weekend anchor at WCBS-TV in New York City.
HONOR A RY A LUM N I
Recent Events
Annual Spring Reunion
ALUMNI BOARD SERVICE AWARDS Nancy Demers ‘91 Ten Years of Service
Alice Dunkak Quinn ‘79 Ten Years of Service
Nicholas Moraglia ‘88 Fifteen Years of Service
Gerald Scales ‘76
Twenty Years of Service
Eileen LeMonda ‘78
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Twenty-Five Years of Service
Brother Leonard Conway presents Nancy Demers ‘91 (r) with a plaque in recognition of her 10 years of service to the SFP Alumni Board.
Reunion of the classes of 1987, 1982, 1977, 1972 and 1967
The Silver Anniversary Class of 1987
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Golden Terrier Alumni Reunion
Class of 1962 Goes “Back to Brooklyn” As part of their reunion celebration the Class of 1962 returned to St. Francis Prep’s former location on North 6th Street in Williamsburg. They toured the old facilities and reminisced about their “Brooklyn Days.” After a brief walk-through which included the Library, the old gym and a few classrooms, everyone met at Radengast Hall & Beirgarten nearby on North 3rd to enjoy some food and drink.
The Golden Anniversary Class of 1962
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Recent Events
Homecoming Weekend 2011 Review Each year Homecoming Weekend brings together alumni from all ages and backgrounds to celebrate all that is exciting and interesting about St. Francis Prep. • The “weekend” begins on Thursday evening with a Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament in memory of Jimmy Prendergast ‘79. Each year there are over a hundred alumni, members of the Prendergast family (six of the Prendergast siblings graduated from St. Francis Prep) as well as friends from the neighborhood. • On Friday, a Golf Outing is held at Clearview in memory of Danny Apicella ‘00. The inaugural event in 2011 was very well attended and the “after party” continued at Sullivan’s in Bayside where many other alumni gather for food and drinks. There are plenty of raffles and prizes and it is “standing room only.” • The Terrier Football team competes on Friday evening at Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale. Scores of family, friends and alumni attend the game. • On late Saturday morning, alumni begin arriving at Belmont Park for the Annual Day at the Races. It’s a fun day that includes special private tours at the track level and alumni enjoy the races and a buffet brunch from the climate controlled Turf and Field Club. • Alumni gather at Prep early on Sunday morning to compete in the Annual 5K Fun Run and Pee Wee Race to honor our 9/11 heroes. Top overall finishers in various categories are presented with awards and a buffet breakfast is available.
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Join us this year on October 11, 12, 13 and 14th. See back cover for the 2012 Homecoming Weekend details.
Homecoming Three-on-Three Tournament In Memory of Jimmy Prendergast ‘79
The Three on Three Basketball Tournament is held each year to honor the memory of Jimmy Prendergast ‘79. In 2012, the tournament takes on special meaning as it will also honor Jimmy’s dad, James, who passed away earlier in the year. James and his wife, Joan, were recognized as honorary alumni of SFP in 2011. They have always been a strong supporters of Prep. The family enrolled six of the seven Prendergast children at Prep. Please join members of the Prep community as we honor these two special individuals on Thursday, October 11, 2012 in the St. Francis Prep gym. As always, there will be food, drink and plenty of raffle prizes awarded.
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Recent Events
Homecoming Golf Outing
Last October, 84 golfers and 20 volunteers gathered at Clearview Golf Course in Memory of their friend and classmate, Danny Apicella ‘00. They played throughout the changing weather, which ranged from a light mist to clear and sunny skies. All told, more than $16,000 was raised in support of the Scholarship Fund established in Danny’s memory. This year’s event is on October 12, 2012.
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In Memory of Danny Apicella ‘00
Homecoming Night at Sullivan’s Following the Homecoming Golf Outing, a total of 160 alumni, including more than 80 friends and family of Danny Apicella ‘00, participated in the night at Sullivan’s. There were plenty of raffle prizes, food and drink. Event organizers Kevin Wagner ‘01, Jonathan Pereira ‘99, and Jimmy Lynch ‘99 expressed their appreciation to everyone for supporting both the golf outing and the night at Sullivan’s in honor of their friend and fellow Prepster.
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Recent Events
Homecoming Day at the Races at Belmont Park Alumni, family and friends came together on Saturday, October 15th in the Turf and Field Club Room at Belmont Park for the SFP Annual Day at the Races. It was another beautiful day at the track for everyone to enjoy a paddock tour and enter the Winner’s Circle to briefly meet the jockey who rode the winner of the SFP Race —”Liquidity Trap.” It’s a wonderful time for one and all. This year’s Belmont event is on October 13, 2012. Be sure to sign up early, as it always sells out!
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There was plenty of excitement in the room when“Liquidity Trap” was declared the winner of the 2nd Race which was dedicated to the St. Francis Prep Alumni Association. (See photo inset.)
The admission price included guided tours of the Paddock area and an opportunity to visit the Winner’s Circle. Pictured from (l-r) Royce Mulholland ‘79, Terry and John Pereira ‘62 and Bro. Bill Boslet, O.S.F.
In the Turf and Field Club Room, SFP Alumni Director Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F. visits with Catherine and Danny Lynch ‘47, parents of the late Michael Lynch ‘86, a firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th.
Homecoming 5K Fun Run More than 150 runners participated in the Annual SFP 5K Fun Run to honor and pay tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. Breakfast was served and prizes were awarded to the top male and female finishers in a range of age groups and categories, including the Pee Wee Race participants! It’s a great day each year, so please mark your calendar and join us this year on Sunday, October 14, 2012.
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Recent Events
First Annual Walk-a-thon
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GRAD NEWS 2012
Last Fall, the St. Francis Prep community came together for its first ever Walk-a-thon event. The entire student body, along with parents, alumni, friends, relatives, and our dedicated faculty and staff, set out to raise at least $250,000 this year (with $1 million projected over four years). It’s just the first piece of a major $10 million fund raising project (stage two of the overall campaign) that will continue to modernize the Prep. And not only did we have fun with the Walk-a-thon, we were able to surpass our goal. By the day of the event there was $268,000 donated or committed to the cause. This year the Walk-a-thon is scheduled for Friday, October 5, 2012. Alumni and families of students are all welcome and encouraged to participate. Go to www.steps4prep.org for more information or to make a donation.
Leading off the start of the Prep’s first-ever Walk-a-thon are (l-r) Gerry Scales ‘76, John Pereira ‘62, Fr. Bill Sweeney, and Bro. Leonard Conway, O.S.F.
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Recent Events
Dedication of the New Art Education and Physical Education & Athletic Training Centers On Sunday, September 25, 2011, St. Francis Prep’s Principal, Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F. cut the ribbons to officially open the Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Education and Athletic Training Center and the Art Education Center. It was an historic and proud moment for Prep. Members of the Board of Trustees, Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, Faculty, Staff and Alumni were present to celebrate this very special occasion. Generous benefactor Peter Callahan ‘59 also fulfilled his dream of honoring his football coaches —Vince O’Connor and Frank Nastro. The ribbon cutting also ushered in a new era for the Art Education program which has a long history of excellence and has developed a fine reputation.
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1. Bro. Leonard Conway cuts the ribbons to officially open the Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Education and Athletic Training Center. 2. Cutting the ribbon in the Art Education Center. 3. Bob Martin ‘67, sharing a story with Martin O’Connor ‘73 and his father, Coach Vince O’Connor. 4. Coach Vince O’Connor and Peter Callahan ‘59. 5. Peter Corritori ‘59 and Bro. Leonard. 6. Bro. Campion Lally ‘55, Bro. Becket Ryan H’03, Terry and John Pereira ‘62.
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Prep Receives $100,000 Grant For New Music and Science Building The primary focus of The Theresa & Edward O’Toole Foundation, one of the largest Catholic oriented charitable foundations in the country, is “to support charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational organizations and corporations.”
St. Francis Prep has announced that The Theresa & Edward O’Toole Foundation of New York City has provided a $100,000 grant to be used for the construction of a new music and science complex that represents the next phase of the school’s ongoing capital improvement and modernization program. (The most recent phase resulted in last September’s dedication of brand new Physical Education and Art Education facilities.)
Co-Trustees Bert Degheri and Frank Hodgkinson from BNY Mellon expressed John J. Brown ‘76 delight that The Theresa & Edward O’Toole Campaign Chair Foundation is able to assist St. Francis Prep with This generous grant from The O’Toole Foundation this special project. supports the recently inaugurated second stage of The Campaign for St. Francis Prep. This stage of the “St. Francis Prep is very grateful for the outstanding campaign—The Next 150—is designed to raise $10 support for our new music and science facilities by The million to help fund the construction of these new music Theresa & Edward O’Toole Foundation,” said Principal, and science facilities. Construction is scheduled to begin Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F., who will become the Prep’s first President in September 2013. Brother Leonard in June 2013. went on to say, “This new building will provide these John J. Brown, SFP Class of 1976 and Group Managing excellent, award-winning music and science programs Director UBS Wealth Management Americas, serves as with the environment and the added space they so richly deserve.” the Campaign Chairman.
2. 1. Three-Story Addition
Part of the next construction phase beginning June 2013 GRAD NEWS
Art Education Center
Dedicated in September 2011
Physical Education and Athletic Training Center Dedicated in September 2011
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1. Architect’s rendering of the Master Plan for Modernization 2. A rendering of one of the classrooms in the proposed new Music facilities shows a much more spacious and naturally lit open practice area. 3. This rendering of one of the new Labs depicts a state of the art facility for students in our highly acclaimed Science program.
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Part of the Final Construction Phase
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New Entry & Chapel
Recent Events
Annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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Alumni, students, current and former parents, faculty, staff, administrators and members of the Franciscan Brothers Community all participated once again in the annual march up Fifth Avenue for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Marching in the parade is part of a tradition that dates back to the days when SFP was located in Brooklyn. It was revived during the Prep’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary in 2008 and has been growing stronger in both spirit and in number of participants every year since. Join us for next year’s St. Patrick Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Be sure to RSVP early to reserve your commemorative hat. Just go to the SFP Alumni website at: alumni.sfponline.org .
St. Patrick’s Day fell on a weekend this year and we witnessed a further spike in attendance. The same holds true for the 2013 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you and your family are planning to join us on Saturday, March 16, 2013, RSVP early so we can be sure to have enough commemorative hats. Just go to the SFP Alumni Website at alumni.sfponline.org
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Recent Events
19th Annual June Golf Classic Honors John Pereira ‘62 and Patrick McLaughlin ‘73
The 19th Annual Golf Classic was held on Monday, June 18, 2012 at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City, NY. After more than 180 golfers played on a superb course and enjoyed an outstanding cocktail hour, guests dined on a delicious buffet dinner as we honored two outstanding individuals: John Pereira ‘62 and Patrick McLaughlin ‘73. Each of them spoke about how much Prep and the Franciscan Brothers have profoundly influenced their lives. The net proceeds of the event benefit the Prep’s scholarship program! We are grateful to the Golf Committee and all of our volunteers, sponsors, golfers and dinner guests for their wonderful support.
2012 Golf Classic Honoree, Patrick McLaughlin ‘73 (left), is the Assistant Principal at St. Francis Prep and has been a member of the SFP faculty and administration for over 20 years. He will become the Prep’s new Principal in September 2013 when Bro. Leonard Conway assumes his new role as President.
20TH ANNUAL GOLF CL ASSIC
SAVE THE DATE
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2012 Golf Classic Honoree, John Pereira ‘62 (second from left), is a member of the SFP Alumni Board as well as a member of the SFP Board of Trustees. John is also one of the founding committee members of the SFP Golf Classic.
JUNE 17, 2013
We Thank All of Our Sponsors for their Generous Support! EVENT SPONSOR The St. Jerome’s Boys DINNER SPONSORS Bankruptcy Managment Solutions, Inc. (BMS) & BNY Mellon Normandy Real Estate Partners Finn Wentworth Jack Schneider ‘57 LUNCHEON SPONSOR UnitedHealthcare COCKTAIL HOUR SPONSOR Bob and Lisa Adams ‘80 FRANCISCAN BROTHERS SPONSOR CulinArt Managed Dining Services SILENT AUCTION SPONSOR Jeff Alter ‘80 JOURNAL SPONSORS Mike Mongelli ‘79 Wally Bishop ‘80 GOLF CARTS SPONSOR John Campo, Esq. • Troutman Sanders PUTTING GREEN SPONSOR TRITEC Building Company, Inc.
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HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR Koeppel Nissan
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RAFFLE PRIZE SPONSORS Primary Land Services • Tom Gebert ‘79 Harvard Maintenance Inc. • Dan Duffy H’03 The LeMonda Family • Eileen LeMonda ‘78 John Campo, Esq. • Troutman Sanders
2012 GOLF CLASSIC HONOREE
program and graduated in 1974. He began working with Robert P. Herzog specializing in Bankruptcy Law, a position he held from 1974 to March 1983.
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JOHN PEREIRA ‘62 Born in Brooklyn in 1944, John S. Pereira was once of six children (Vincent, John, Maurice, Catherine, Roseann, and Noreen) born to Vincent (Biff) and Noreen. John was first introduced to the Franciscans in grammar school when he attended Our Lady of Lourdes on Aberdeen Street. It was there he first became acquainted with the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn.
During his long tenure as a bankruptcy attorney and trustee, John has had some memorable cases and experiences. He was chosen to be the first Trustee appointed by the Department of Justice in the newly minted Office of the United States Trustee for the Southern District of New York—a pilot district under the new Bankruptcy Code. As a result of its success, the U.S. Trustee program later was expanded nation-wide. John says two of his most memorable cases involved taking over, operating
all 54 chapter 11 cases, paying all creditors 100 percent. In 1983, he started his own firm specializing in bankruptcy and insolvency. He estimates that he as been appointed as Chapter 7 Trustee in over 30,000 cases over the years, and his firm, Pereira & Sinisi, LLP still specializes in all aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency work and has been involved in some of the most notable cases in New York.
With all of his professional experiences, recognition and accomplishments, John prefers to speak about his family. He married Teresa Skinner in 1973 and refers to her as “his best friend.” They have two children, Casey Ann (SFP Class of 1994) and Jonathan John was accepted into St. “My association with the Prep alumni, (SFP Class of 1999) and a beautiful new granddaughter, Francis Prep’s Freshman Class Lily Ann. They enjoy faculty and Franciscan Brothers has in 1958. (His older brother, traveling, dining out in New Vinnie, transferred to the Prep greatly enriched both my life as well York City, and spending from Regis.) John’s four years weekends with family and at Prep were filled with great as that of my family...I consider myself friends. During his remarks experiences, both educational at the Golf Classic dinner he and social. After graduating very fortunate to be a Franciscan.” acknowledged that his life from Prep, John continued has been blessed. He points his Franciscan education out that it all began with the at St. Francis College, and gift of a great Franciscan education and eventually selling to New York earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in that began in elementary school and City the Holland Hotel—at the time Economics. Upon college graduation in 1966, he served in the military a notorious welfare hotel located in continued through college. for two years and was stationed at Times Square—and operating 54 a number of U.S. bases and then apartment buildings in Manhattan He is a founding member of the St. spending the last eighteen months and the Bronx that contained 3,200 Francis Prep Golf Classic and has as first a loader then a gunner and residential and 250 commercial units. been a member of the SFP Alumni Board for over 30 years and a member then a driver of an M-60a1 Main of the SFP Board of Trustees. “My Seeking to ensure the safety of the Battle Tank in West Berlin, 100 miles association with the Prep alumni, tenants, he gave permission to the behind the Iron Curtain. NYPD to enter both the hotel and faculty and Franciscan Brothers has After completing his military duty, the buildings to ensure the continued greatly enriched both my life as well he returned to New York and landed safety of the tenants. He also hired as that of my family...I consider myself a position at a Wall Street brokerage security personnel to periodically very fortunate to be a Franciscan.” firm. In 1972, a good friend patrol the buildings and coordinate St. Francis Prep and the Franciscan persuaded him to take the LSAT. maintenance and repairs. He Brothers are fortunate to have good John was accepted into St. John’s operated the apartment buildings for people like John as a member of the School of Law in the accelerated three years and eventually confirmed Prep community as well.
2012 GOLF CLASSIC HONOREE
PAT MCLAUGHLIN ‘73 Over the past 31 years, Pat has served at Prep in a wide variety of roles, including as a Health Teacher, Phys Ed Instructor, Driver’s Ed Instructor, Baseball Coach, Basketball Coach, and an Intramurals Moderator. He is currently the Assistant Principal for Faculty and Instruction. And the Board of Trustees has announced that Pat will become the Prep’s Principal in September 2013 when Brother Leonard Conway assumes “I his new position as President.
formed that his CYO Coach, a man from the neighborhood who was active in the parish, paid his back tuition as well as the tuition for his next two years in order to ensure his graduation. It was an act of genuine kindness and overwhelming generosity which, four decades later, Pat is still mindful of each and every day. Pat continued on to St. Francis College and studied in between full-time jobs. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1980. He followed his passion for sports and began coaching at Mater Christi High School in Astoria. During a game against SFP, he realized where he wanted to be and approached Prep’s Principal, Brother Kevin
was very fortunate to be
surrounded by the Franciscan
strengths and drawing out the talent of others. Always mindful of the challenges faced by teenagers, he has a knack for reaching out to, and being present for struggling students. Among his many “ad hoc” committee roles, Pat has served as the school’s Internal Coordinator for Middle States Accreditation both in 1991 and 2001. He also helped facilitate and organize the Prep’s Strategic Plan and vision for its future. Pat is actively involved in his community. As a member of the Seaford (Long Island) community, Pat served as Little League coach for six years and as a CYO basketball coach at the St. William the Abbot for nine years. He sums up his coaching philosophy in the true spirit of an athlete and scholar, “Let the young people have fun and learn about athletics and sportsmanship.”
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Pat is a member of Prep’s Brothers and many other good Class of 1973, one of the final classes to graduate from the people...they all helped shape my life Brooklyn campus on North Committed to health and 6th Street. As a student, he fitness, Pat has remained and helped me define my values.” immersed himself in the Terphysically active and has rier community and played completed an impressive 23 baseball, ran indoor and outhalf marathons and the full door track, and participated Smith. He started coaching at Prep 26.2 mile NYC Marathon. He and in intramurals, although he came and in 1981 a position for a Phys Ed his wife Kathleen reside in Seaford, close to being unable to complete Instructor opened up. In 1987, he NY with their sons JD and Patrick his studies at Prep after tragedy was named Chair of the Health and (SFP Class of 2007) and daughter struck the McLaughlin family. It’s EmmaLee. Phys Ed department. not a widely known story, but one that defines him as the truly goodIn his role as Assistant Principal, hearted Franciscan educator he is Pat helps insure that Prep maintoday. tains its academic excellence by performing teacher observations In his junior year his father sudand providing feedback to estabdenly passed away leaving the famlished faculty members as well as ily without resources to cover his coaching younger teachers. He is tuition. Pat withdrew from Prep also the “go to” person for all facand enrolled in Midwood High ulty concerns. As a key member School. Within 48 hours Brother of the administration, Pat is wellRalph Clifford phoned and told regarded for always maintaining him to return to Prep. Pat was infocus and discipline, knowing his
S T. F R A N C I S P R E P
SALUTES
Vincent O’Connor
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As He Begins His 60th Year As Coach
September 2012 will mark the start of Coach Vincent O’Connor’s 60th season on the gridiron sidelines of the “Red & Blue” Terrier Football program. He began coaching the JV team for two seasons (‘53 and ‘54) and then moved up and has been at the helm of the Varsity ever since. The Football Program at St. Francis Prep has achieved an outstanding record of success under Mr. O’Connor’s leadership, and he attributes this to the dedication of his assistant coaches and the skill and hard work of the players.
Above: Coach O’Connor and the 1956 Terrier Football Team. His first two seasons of coaching were with the JV (‘53 and ‘54) and the subsequent 58 seasons have been with the Varsity. (Photo: San Fran Yearbook)
The son of Irish born parents, Vincent O’Connor was born in Brooklyn along with his two younger brothers James and Dennis. All three attended Holy Name Elementary School and Manual Training High School (later renamed John Jay High School).
at New York University and was appointed the J.V. Football Coach at St. Francis Prep by Bro. Timothy Walsh, O.S.F.
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During his senior year at New York University, Mr. O’Connor was appointed the Varsity Coach at St. While attending high school, Mr. O’Connor partici- Francis Prep by Brother Cyprian Zorskis, O.S.F. His pated in varsity football, track, the school orches- early coaching career was marked by early success as tra and served as school president. During his high the Terriers won the Catholic High School Champischool days he was active in the parish of St. Francis onship in 1955, his first year as varsity coach. Xavier and was greatly influenced by the spiritual leadership of the Rev. John Kean. After graduation from New York University with a B.S. in Physical Education, Mr. O’Connor attained an After high school Mr. O’Connor worked as a ma- M.S. in Health and Physical Education from Brookchinist for three years before entering the U.S. Army lyn College plus an M.A. and Professional Diploma and serving eighteen months in Korea. Upon his dis- in Guidance and Counseling from Teachers College, charge, he entered the Physical Education program Columbia University.
Newspaper Scan from NEW POST or DAILY NEWS
Pictured above: The Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Education and Athletic Training Center honors Prep’s beloved and longest serving coach.
In 1957, one year after teaching Biology at St. Francis Prep, Mr. O’Connor returned to Manual High School as a teacher of physical education. After nine years he was appointed guidance counselor at G. Westinghouse High School. One year later, Mr. O’Connor was selected as the guidance counselor for the “College Bound” program at S.J. Tilden High School.
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During this same period, Mr. O’Connor served as coach of field events for the track team at St. Francis Prep for eight years (1953-61). He also was head track coach at John Jay High School for four years (1962-66). In January 1971, Mr. O’Connor was appointed as Assistant Principal (supervision) for Health and Physical Education in School District 19, in the East New York area of Brooklyn. Over the years, he has served on many committees associated with the field of Health and Physical Education, and has also been a member of a variety of professional and social organizations.
The Varsity Football Program at St. Francis Prep has achieved an outstanding record of success under Mr. O’Connor’s leadership, and he attributes much of this to the dedication and skill of the assistant coaches who have served with him these past sixty years. Under Coach O’Connor, the St. Francis Prep Varsity Football Team has recorded 326 victories and they have won 16 CHSFL Championships (with undefeated seasons in 1957, ‘64, ‘66, ‘72, ‘73, and ‘83), including the 2005 CHSFL Championship victory over St. Peter’s — the 300th win. Numerous St. Francis Prep Football Student Athletes have gone on to play at the college level and in the professional ranks. Coach O’Connor was honored as National Coach of the Year in 1992, and he has been named New York’s Catholic High School Coach of the Year on twenty occasions. He has also served as President of the CHSFL.
ST. FRANCIS PREP FOOTBALL: PRIDE and TRADITION
The Football Program at St. Francis Prep has achieved an outstanding record of success under Mr. O’Connor’s leadership, and he attributes much of this to the dedication and skill of the assistant coaches who have served with him these past fifty years.
CHSFL AAA CHAMPIONS: 1955, 57, 59, 64, 66, 68, 72, 73, 76, 83, 85, 88, 89, 90 CHSFL CITY DIVISION CHAMPIONS: 1974, 75, 78 CHSFL AA CHAMPIONS: 2005 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICANS: Larry DiNardo ‘67, University of Notre Dame Gerry DiNardo ‘70, University of Notre Dame Frank Pomarico ‘70, University of Notre Dame Marco Battaglia ‘91, Rutgers University SUPER BOWL WINNERS: Vincent Lombardi ‘33, Green Bay Packers Dan Henning ‘60, Washington Redskins Ed Jenkins ‘68, Miami Dolphins Bill Pickel ‘77, Oakland Raiders
In 2000 he was the recipient of The Frank McGuire Foundation Award which recognizes high school coaches whose dedication and skill have a positive impact on young lives. In 2005 he was inducted into the Catholic Education Foundation Hall of Fame, and he has also received the Round Tower Award by the Irish American Building Society’s Great Irish Fair Committee. His lovely wife, Mary, his son, Martin, his daughter, Maryrose, son-in-law Patrick, and his three wonderful grandchildren, Connor, Patrick and Dylan, have been his inspiration, and he wears the label “Devoted Husband, Father, and Grandfather” as well as he does his title of “Coach.” For all these reasons, plus many more not recorded in this space, and in celebration of 60 years of extraordinary service, St. Francis Prep continues to promote The Vincent and Mary O’Connor Scholarship Fund (which assists deserving Prep students with their tution) and has dedicated the new Physical Fitness and Athletic Training Center in Coach O’Connor’s honor.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS: Dan Henning ‘60, Carolina Panthers Marco Battaglia ‘91, Carolina Panthers Vincent O’Connor has the record for most victories and Championships in the history of the Catholic High School Football League. He is only the third coach in New York State history to coach over three hundred high school football victories.
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Pictured above: Upon completion of the project in September 2011, Prep’s Principal, Brother Leonard Cownay O.S.F. (center) provided Coach O’Connor (left) and benefactor Peter Callahan ‘59 (right) with a private tour of The Coach Vince O’Connor Physical Education and Athletic Training Center.
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In 1992 Coach O’Connor was selected as the United States Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He is the only coach in the State of New York to be so honored. He has coached over six hundred College Football Players from captains on Ivy League Championship teams at Harvard to Walter Camp All Americans’ on National Championship Teams at Notre Dame.
SFP TERRIER
ATHLETICS 2011-12 SEASON
Boys Basketball Brooklyn/Queens Division I 6th Place City Playoffs 2nd Round Girls Basketball Brooklyn/Queens Division I, 6th Place State Play-offs Quarter-Finalist Baseball Brooklyn/Queens- 4th Place; Intersectional Quarter finalist Bowling 5th Place Football AA Division – Finalist Golf A Division 5th Place City Play-off – Quarter finalist Gymnastics 2011 Nassau/Suffolk CHS League Champs Handball 2012 CITY CHAMPIONS
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Hockey B Division – 2nd Place Playoff Semi– Finalist Boys Lacrosse B Division – 4th Place; Play-off – Quarter-finalist Girls Lacrosse B Division – 3rd Place Play-off Finalist
Boys Soccer Brooklyn/Queens Div. I 1st Place; City Champions NYS Semi-finalist Play-off – Semi-finalist Girls Soccer Division 1 – 4th Place Play-off – Semi-finalist Softball Brooklyn/Queens 2nd Place; Playoff – Finalist Boys Swimming Division 1 – 4th Place Girls Swimming Division 1 – 4th Place Girls Tennis 2011 CITY & STATE CHAMPIONS Boys Tennis 4th Place Boys Track & Field Brooklyn/Queens – 2nd Place Girls Track & Field Brooklyn/Queens – 2nd Place Boys Volleyball Division 5th Place; Quarter Finalist Girls Volleyball 2011 BROOKLYN/QUEENS CHAMPIONS
Varsity Handball • 10 Consecutive Undefeated CHSAA City Championships; • 2012 Match record: 16-0 Game Record: 81-7 JV Handball • 9th Consecutive CHSAA City Championship, (with the last 8 going Undefeated.) • 2012 Match Record: 15-0 Game Record: 44-1. It was a memorable year for the Prepsters. Three days before the start of the 2012 Season, the coaches, in a vote of 4-1, changed the league’s official ball to a bigger ball. This year is the first year in the history of the CHSAA Handball League that the small ball was not used for competition.
Please join the Prep community during this historic football season and cheer on the St. Francis Prep Terriers and witness Coach O’Connor in his 60th Season at St. Francis Prep!
VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E D A Y
D A T E
TIME
OPPONENT
SITE
Saturday Saturday Saturday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday Saturday Thursday
September 8th September 15th September 22nd September 28th October 6th October 12th October 20th October 27th November 22nd
3:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 1:30 pm 10:00 am
Washingtonville H.S. Dietz Stadium Kingston, NY Cardinal Hayes Mitchell Athletic Complex St. John Baptist St. John Baptist Christ the King Mitchell Athletic Complex Xavier H.S. Hofstra University Cardinal Spellman H.S. Mitchell Athletic Complex Bishop Ford H.S. Aviator Sports Complex St. Peter’s H.S. St. Peter’s Holy Cross H.S. Bayside HS Field
J U N I O R VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E D A Y D A T E T I M E O P P O N E N T S I T E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Saturday September 8th 10:00 am St. Peter’s Cunningham Park Saturday September 15th 10:00 am Poly Prep Poly Prep Saturday September 22nd 10:00 am Xavier H.S. Marine Park Saturday September 29th 10:00 am St. John Baptist Cunningham Park Saturday October 6th 10:00 am St. Joseph by the Sea St. Joseph by the Sea Saturday October 13th 10:00 am Cardinal Spellman Cunningham Park Saturday October 20th 10:00 am Holy Trinity Cunningham Park Saturday October 27th 10:00 am Christ the King Juniper Valley Park Saturday November 3rd Play-off
FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
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DAY DATE TIME OPPONENT SITE___________ Saturday September 15th 10:00 am Fordham Prep Cunningham Park Saturday September 22nd 10:00 am Cardinal Spellman Cunningham Park Saturday September 29th 10:00 am St. John Baptist St. John Baptist Saturday October 6th 10:00 am Xavier H.S. Cunningham Park Saturday October 13th 10:00 am Cardinal Hayes H.S. Saturday October 20th 10:00 am Holy Cross Victory Field Saturday October 27th 10:00 am St. Joseph by the Sea Cunningham Park Friday November 2nd 7:00 pm St. Anthony’s 2nd Team St. Anthony’s Saturday November 10th 10:00 am Msgr. Farrell Msgr. Farrell
What’s Happening at St. Francis Prep Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F., Alumni Director
Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends, For the more than 600 accomplished young men and women who received their St. Francis Preparatory School diplomas on June 2, 2012, at a ceremony which embodied the spirit of Saint Francis and Franciscan education, I am confident that we have provided our graduates with a solid academic, spiritual and social foundation that will always accompany them wherever life takes them in the future. I am equally confident that they will be prepared to meet the multifarious challenges they will encounter on the diverse roads they will travel. Their comprehensive educational experience was a labor of love provided to them through the joint efforts of our outstanding and dedicated faculty, administration, staff and alumni who did not hesitate to share their knowledge, expertise and guidance over the past four years.
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In the long run it was Prep’s caring professionals who made the difference in the lives of these young people, nurturing, educating and leading them in their progressive growth into more complete young adults. The most visible reward for this dedication can best be understood in terms of the remarkable academic success of the students, a success which this year, as it has in the past, exceeded even the highest expectations. But this is not the only reward, since it is witnessing the development of the whole person that brings even greater satisfaction and parallels the more visible academic successes. We live in a new and exciting time, a time filled with evocative challenges for both teachers and students alike. Technology, when used properly and intelligently, can enhance both the teaching experience and the learning experience. In truth, the opportunities provided by technology appear limitless in scope. We are ever thankful for these remarkable advances and innovations and for the new possibilities they create for our teachers and our students. In keeping with this new age of technological creativity, the Prep is making plans to insure the next 150 years of Catholic education in the Franciscan tradition by launching a second stage of its major Capital Campaign. The success
of this effort depends on the generosity of those who believe in the Prep and share in its vision and its mission to serve the youth in the contemporary world. In short, the success of this effort depends upon people like you. I would like to take the time to recognize some special individuals who have made such a considerable contribution to our Prep community and who are now retiring this summer. Let us bid a fond farewell to Mr. Rudy Zientarski, a member of the Social Studies Department from 1968 to 2012, and to Mrs. Carolyn Szostek, Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, from 1970 to 2012. We salute you for your commitment and years of service and thank you for the profound impact you have made on the lives of those in your care. Now it is time to smell the proverbial roses. As we look back on all of the accomplishments of this past year, we realize that nothing would have been possible without the continued support of our alumni, benefactors and friends. We thank all those who help to keep the ideals of the Prep alive and well in our modern world. We hope to count on your support in the future as we advance with courage and conviction toward the next 150 years. As we welcome our new Freshman students this fall, we would like to take this opportunity to invite our alumni, benefactors and friends to attend one or more of the many alumni events held throughout the year. Please mark your calendars for Friday, October 5th, for our “Second Annual Walk-a-thon.” As always, I am grateful to the members of the Alumni Board for all they have done and will continue to do for St. Francis Prep. Thank you for your unfailing support. May the blessing of St. Francis be with you and your family, now and all the days of your life. In gratitude,
Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F. Alumni Director
The Feast of St. Francis
Annual Toy Drive
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th commemorates the life of St. Francis. Each year the Prep community comes together to celebrate Mass and recognize the lay and religious staff, faculty, and administrators who have dedicated themselves to the students of St. Francis Prep. On this day, members of the Franciscan Brothers community also renew their religious vows.
Maureen O’Neill ‘95, Social Studies Teacher at St. Francis Prep, rallied Prepsters to support New York Hospital Queens in its annual holiday toy drive last November 3rd.
Pictured above (l-r): Brother Bill Boslet, O.S.F., Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, Brother Alan Zodda, O.S.F., 60th Anniversary as a Franciscan Brother; Sr. Maryann Napier, C.S.J., 50th Anniversary as a Sister of St. Joseph; Brother Warren Prentiss, O.S.F., 50th Anniversary as a Franciscan Brother.
“We have been collecting donations, gifts and supplies for United States Armed Forces personnel and their families since April 2003,” said Peter Kwiath ‘75, Assistant Supervisor of Paramedics/EMT, NYHQ and co-founder of FreeMAT. Nancy Demers ‘91, who serves as the Communications Director on the SFP Alumni Board and who is also an employee at NYHQ said, “I am proud that my alma mater and my employer do so much to support the families of the men and women of our military .”
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Pictured above (l-r): Patrick McLaughlin ‘73, Assistant Principal at SFP; Peter Kwiath ‘75, Assistant Supervisor of Paramedic/EMTs,NYHQ and cofounder of FreeMAT; Paul Vallone, President, Bayside-Whitestone Lions Club; Maureen O’Neill ‘95, Social Studies Teacher at SFP; A U.S. Army Serviceman; Nancy Demers ‘91, SFP Alumni Board Member and Nursing Professional at NYHQ.
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Pictured above (l-r): Bro. Leonard Conway, O.S.F., 40 Years of Service; Andrea Ferranti and Nancy DeStefano (15 Years of Service); Magdalena Ostaszewski, Mark Teofilo (RIP), Maureen Logan and Bill Turner (25 Years of Service); Brother Bill Boslet, O.S.F., Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn.
Representatives from the U.S. Army and various elected officials were present. NYHQ’s FreeMAT volunteer group developed the idea to collect supplies and gifts for the troops and families of the Army’s 77th Regional Readiness Command based out of Fort Totten, Queens. The toys are distributed to the children of those soldiers who are fighting overseas and will miss the holiday season with their loved ones.
Prep Hosts U.S. Naval Academy Choir and Welcomes Veterans on Veteran’s Day 2011
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In honor of Veteran’s Day, St. Francis Prep welcomed the women of the Naval Academy Glee Club (pictured below), who performed during the main event of the school’s week-long Veteran’s Day commemoration. John Brown ‘76 (top left), who served as one of the grand marshals at the Veteran’s Day Parade, is also the chairman of the board of “No Greater Sacrifice,” a non-profit organization which helps provide higher education for the children of wounded and deceased military members. Brown urged the students to honor “the people who wear our uniform, who volunteer to go in harm’s way for you, who are willing to die for you.” Chris Mendolia ‘87, Chair of the Social Studies
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Department, and Joseph Licata, Chair of the Language Arts Department, played a key role in organizing the celebration. Students had an opportunity to speak with veterans who came to the event. Several veterans from World War II and the Vietnam War joined the assembly for the celebration.
1. John Brown ‘76 who served as the program’s keynote speaker as well as one of the Grand Marshals at the NYC Veterans Day Parade. 2. Bro. Leonard Conway (l) with Vietnam Veteran, Michael McMahon. 3. William Kraus ‘76, Acting Director of NYS Department of Veterans Affairs. 4. Chris Mendolia ‘87, chair of the SFP Social Studies Department, and James Coyne ‘12 . 5. Elle and Lou Foresta (a veteran) and Fr. Bill Sweeney.
Alumni Help Prep Students Conduct Mock Trial It was billed as “The Trial of the Century” by Charles Jardines and Paul Cohen, the Prep Social Studies teachers who served as coordinators. The one day event takes months of preparation and engages many alumni, faculty, staff and parents. It provides a wonderful learning experience for our students who assume roles as Prosecutors and as members of the Defense teams. They are guided by Prep alumni from the Legal Professions who provided them with their real world experience and advice on future careers. Hon. William Viscovich ‘79, Judge, Civil Court of the City of New York Queens County, served as the judge in this case. The Viscovich family is very active in the Prep community. Bill serves on the SFP Alumni Board, supports many alumni events and is always delighted to lend his expertise to students whenever possible. His wife and former classmate, Felicia Varlese ‘79, is Associate General Counsel at Blue Cross Blue Shield and serves as the leader of Prep’s Legal Professions Alumni Chapter. Their son, Adam, is currently studying at St. Francis Prep and is a member of the Class of 2015. The prosecution team was lead by ADA John W. Kosinski Jr. ‘84, Vehicular Homicide Unit Chief, Queens District Attorney’s Office. John and his wife, Justine, are Hon. William Viscovich ‘79 reads instructions to the jurors during proud Prep parents of Nastassja ‘11 and Angelica, who is a member of the class of 2013. the start of the trial. Mary Ann Spicijaric ‘84, Chair of the Science Department at Prep, served as the defendant and was ultimately cleared of charges. In the end, the students learned a great deal from these alumni and had a great “real world” lesson.
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Queens Assistant D.A., John W. Kosinski, Jr. ‘84 provides direction Science Department Chairperson Mary Ann Spicijaric ‘84 (seated and advice to one of the student prosecutors. second from right) served as the Mock Trial’s defendant.
“One Hundred Book Challenge” Reference Librarian, Alisha Brizicky (center), does many things to convey her love of literature to SFP students. This year she dared Prepsters to read 100 books in a school year. Three Prepsters not only made the goal, but exceeded it. Congratulations to all who participated! Pictured are a few of the participants (l-r): Sara Asgar ‘12 (105 books), Ms. Brizicky (100 books), Joanna Kanellopoulous ‘15 (102 books), and (not pictured) Danielle Sheridan ‘14 (132 books).
The SFP Renaissance Festival English Department Chair Dr. Stephen Marino ‘71 and his students staged the one-day “Renaissance Festival” in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday. Students wore period costumes and spoke using the “Kings English.” Members of the SFP Chamber Orchestra performed and the members of the “Kings Court” were introduced. Students prepared and brought in food dishes which has added to the popularity of the event. It’s just another way St. Francis Prep provides an excellent educational experience to his students.
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Pictured at left: English Department Chair, Dr. Stephen Marino ‘71 introduces each of the students who were assigned fictional roles in the “Kingdom.” Anne, daughter of Peggy Bergin Sementilli ‘81 and Paul Sementilli ‘88, is pictured at left participating in the event.
Girls Tennis Reaches Record 200 Wins John Brennan’s mission at St. Francis Prep is maximizing talent. He wants to see his players improve and eventually play college tennis. But make no mistake, the Terriers never-ending winning streak over 13 years, which reached an unfathomable 200 on October 26, 2011 holds a special place in his heart. Congratulations to John and all of his current and former athletes. One noteworthy point of interest in this story that is one of the team’s current players shares a close connection to legendary SFP athletes. Alana Davidson ‘14 (back row, 3rd from right) is the granddaughter of Tom Stith ‘57 and grandniece of Sam Stith ‘56.
What’s Happening at St. Francis Prep Franciscan Youth Movement Each year FYM (Franciscan Youth Movement) encourages students to reach out to bring joy to others in a variety of activities. Once again, Prep students engaged with residents at Queen of Peace and Ozanam Nursing Homes who really benefit from some additional spirit. Students go “door-todoor” to visit residents, sing Christmas carols and deliver hand-made greeting cards. “It’s a wonderful way to put our Franciscan values into practice during the Christmas season.” said Bro. James McVeigh, O.S.F., the Franciscan Mission Coordinator.
Pictured are members of FYM with Brother James McVeigh at Queen of Peace Residence.
Alvernian Drama Society and SFP Dance Team, under the direction of Art Department faculty member Donna Mejia, performed at Waterside Park Stage in Downtown Disney in April. They were accepted to perform by an audition based video. The students also participated in a Musical Workshop Theatre which was taught by a Disney Professional. Many parents participated in the 3-day trip to provide support and enjoy their children perform. The seniors that attended were given the opportunity to attend a college credit program at Disney in fields such as Entertainment, Finance, Broadcasting, and Engineering.
Campus Ministry Takes Students on a Lenten Journey from Queens to Kenya Over 1,200 students, faculty and staff members purchased Lenten T-shirts to support our “twin” school, St. Francis Secondary School, in Lare, Kenya. Each shirt displayed the English and Swahili words: “FaithTumanini, Hope-Upendo, Love-Imani” on the front, while the backs of the shirts listed each school’s name and our common Franciscan symbol of Christ and Francis’ hands in front of a cross. Participants wore t-shirts and jeans on Fridays during Lent as a sign of solidarity while raising $4,000. SFP students and adults have been donating their shirts back to the Office of Campus Ministry in order to send the T-shirts to Lare, Kenya. Campus Ministry Director, Christian Sullivan, delivered them during a special trip he made there this summer.
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Grad Notes John Ryan ‘45 (pictured on the left) was visted by Father Bill Sweeeny in Orlando, Florida this past summer. John was celebrating his 85th birthday and Father Bill surprised him with a Prep hat and T-shirt in celebration of this milestone. John thinks of Prep often and mentioned that his favorite teacher was Brother Benignus, O.S.F.
James Gordon ‘52 (pictured on the left) and his wife, Beatrice, profess to be ordinary parents. Their ordinary parenting has produced something extraordinary. Among their five children are three sons—James, Terrence and Dennis—who are Roman Catholic Priests. After graduating, each of them went on to U.S. military academies and each served five years on active duty before, one after another, they followed the call to the priesthood by entering Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska. Golden Terriers of 1960 Reunite It’s been two years since their 50th Anniversary of Graduation and their induction into the Golden Terrier Society. But this group of men from the Class of 1960 don’t need a reunion as a reason to keep in touch. Each year these friends visit a different local for a few days of fun, reminiscing, good food and story telling. This year the 1960 Prepsters reunited at Bethlehem Casino in June 2012. Pictured (l-r): Joe Scalia, Gary “Gep” Calega, Bob O’Rourke, Rich Randall, Ben Ruggiero and Jack O’Boyle. Prior visits have been to Philadelphia, Groton, CT, Baltimore, and Atlantic City.
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More “Franciscan” Honors for Tom ‘57 and Sam Stith ‘56 St. Bonaventure’s Department of Athletics hosted a lunch reception honoring the memory of legendary basketball great, Tom Stith ‘57 on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Fordham University just prior to the St. Bonaventure vs. Fordham Men’s Basketball Game. Tom and his brother Sam were standout players at both St. Francis Prep and later at St. Bonaventure. Both were inducted into the SFP Hall of Fame in 2007. Their numbers were retired at the “Back to North 6th Street Reunion” at the close of the Prep’s 150th Anniversary year in October 2009. Tom passed away in June 2010.
SFP Alumni Director Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F., (left) poses with Tom’s family: (l-r) Lisa Stith (daughter), Gladys Stith (wife), Karin Stith (daughter) and Sam ‘56 (brother). Tom’s granddaughter, Alana ‘14 (not pictured), is currently enrolled at St. Francis Prep and has continued the Stith family legacy of athletic achievement as part of the championship tennis team.
Remembering Ray Ratkowski ‘57
A Memorial Service was held in the chapel at St. Francis Prep for Ray Ratkowski ‘57 on Saturday, May 19th. Ray’s family, his dear friends and teammates were in attendance. During his time at Prep, Ray was a excellent running back scoring 144 points on 23 touchdowns and six extra points. He was elected to the All-City, All League, All-Metropolitan and all other conceivable All Star teams. Despite his legendary fierce competitiveness on the field, Ray was also known for his love of the “great books” and much later in life, for his paintings, many of which were on display at the service. In his reflections on Ray, Jack Cahill ‘57 referred to him as, “a man of thought and a man of action.” He added later, “Ray combined both attributes in his character and his accomplishments.” The closing of the service included the beautiful prayer based on the life of St. Francis. “I know that he would really be pleased, as we all are, that his memorial expressed the true spirit of the Prep and the love and respect that his fellow-alumni share.”
Pictured (left): Jack Cahill ‘57 shares his reflections about Ray Ratkowski. Center: Ed Kennedy ‘57 reads a prayer during the service. Left: Coach Vince O’Connor listens intently as his former players recall the life and times of their former classmate. Paul Duran 1962 and his wife, Bonnie, have traveled to Jordan, Egypt, Russia, the Baltic countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Thomas Laquercia 1962 was awarded the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award at St. Francis College.
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The 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance of the NYPD Finest Football Team-February 23rd at Antun’s, Queens Village brought together Prep grads (l-r) Bill Kelly ‘74, Bob Martin ‘67, Harry O’Reilly ‘53. Harry and Bob were founding members (1973) of the Finest Football Club. Kelly joined the Finest in 1983 and played with Martin. All three played for Coach Vince O’Connor at the Prep.
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Robert Catrini 1967 is a working actor in Los Angeles. He has guest starred on 48 network television shows and over a dozen films in the past two years alone. In G.I. Joe 2: RETALIATION he plays the Israeli President. He and his wife Peg will be together 34 years this coming December (2012).
Phil Bracco ‘70, standout football and rugby player at the Prep, has met and overcome life’s toughest challenges. During the past 15 years he has defeated life-threatening cancer with two bone marrow transplants. He has documented his battle and shares many important insights in a new book entitled Living for Game Day which is about “the lessons we learn that come into play when life presents the unexpected.” Go to http://livingforgameday. com for more of Phil’s fascinating story, and to learn more about his tremendous outlook on life and this wonderful new book.
Daniel Ryan ‘86, is pictured at left (center) on the floor of the NYSE with Ernie Els and his lovely wife, Liesl, after they rang the opening bell in August 2012 for the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Els Foundation. They all are active supporters of Autism Speaks. Danny is actively involved on a few levels. He helped to launch Autism Speaks Young Professionals in New York and it has now expanded to other big cities. He is also the co-chair for the Long Island Walk Now for Autism Speaks which will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5.
Robert Rooney 1971 was engaged to Travis Pyan (University of Wisconsin Whitewater) on November 21, 2008. They were married on June 2, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. Lawrence Santangelo 1971 was elected as Fire Commissioner in 2006 and 2011 in the North Patchogue Fire District for a five year term.
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James Mergner 1979 has been in Columbus for about 32 years, and directed the Athletics Welcome Center at the Ohio State University (the largest collegiate athletic program in the nation, and consistent Big Ten Conference Champions in several sports) Ronald Gentile 1983 and Ivanhoe Gadpaille 1983 are long time friends from childhood and from Prep. They were featured in a New York Daily News story (December 2011) about their goodwill mission to Nepal. Gentile, an eye doctor, was part of a team of doctors who comprise “Operation Restore Vision.” The doctors helped many of the impoverished residents of the South Asian nation, some who have been blind for a decade, regain their sight. Gadpaille, documented the trip with the intent of using the footage to help raise funds for future missions.
Karen Haunss-Sapinski 1986 was featured in Newsday on March 27, 2012 discussing new treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.
Emily Seales-Mark 1992 became a Realtor in Central NJ in 2010 and was awarded Weichest Realtors Rookie of the Year.
Sal Fischetti 1983 is the Prep’s Director of Athletics and was featured in Newsday’s Health section in a story related to his exercise and weight-loss success.
Catherine Zonsky 1992 received her M.S. in higher education from University of Pennsylvania in May 2010.
Nancy Demers 1991 earned her Masters of Arts, Nursing Education in December 2011. Congratulations Nancy!
Nicole Schlott-Sullivan 1993 married Thomas Sullivan, class of ‘97, on December 3, 2011. The ceremony was at St. Kevin’s Church in Flushing. There were many Prep alumni in attendance. Janine Ashton-Scheider 1997 is married to Ken Scheider and they welcomed the arrival of their first child, Aiden Austin Scheider, in October 2011.
Shannon Dunleavy-Tubridy 1997 was recently married to Terence in September 2011. Terence is a successful restaurant and bar owner in NYC, owning Saloon on the upper east side, Libation on the lower east, and his newest venture in midtown, Park Avenue Tavern. Shannon and Terence honeymooned around the world, and took a 17 day cruise from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. Nicholas Laino 1997 served in the United Sates Marine Corps for 8 years and fought in the battle of An Nasiriyah, Iraq as a member of Task Force Tarawa in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He is a highly decorated combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Nancy Brett-Martin 1992 had Hunter, son, in July 2009, Skye, daughter, April 2011. Completed NYC Triathlon in 2007 and 2012. Christine Gengaro 1992 received Ph.D. in Musicology from USC in 2005 and is currently working on a book on the music in Stanley Kubrick’s films, due out in 2013. Christine is a tenured professor of music at Los Angeles City College.
Mary Beth Marchiony ‘76 stopped in to Prep on a visit to New York. She caught up with former teachers Fred Salvo ‘66 and Alumni Director, Brother Robert Kent, O.S.F. Mary Beth now calls Kansas home and stays in touch with her classmates and friends on every trip back to the east coast.
Christine Merceron-Haley 1997 was to Christopher Haley in 2007, and they announced the birth of their son, Dylan James Haley, in 2011. Nathalie Faustin-Lubin 2001 is happy to announce that on August 12, 2011 she became Mrs. Jeffrey Lubin at Carlyle on Green in Farmingdale, NY. She is still working at Goldman Sachs. Michael Armao 2002 received a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 2009. He was admitted to practice Law in the state of New York in Feb. 2010. Married on March 5, 2011. Christopher Matuszewski 2006 graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. John’s University in 2010. He was recently promoted to online marketing analyst position at Publishers Clearing House.
be married in August 2013. Annamarie Morgera 2007 graduated in May 2011 and is now employed in a full-time position as Art Teacher at The Summit School located in Jamaica Estates. The Summit School community is made up of special needs students with learning and adjustment challenges, Katie Tang 2008 joined the J.P. Morgan Real Estate Investment Group in July 2012. Daniela G. Mazzara 2011 was nominated for membership in the Queens College chapter of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Kimberly Simon 2006 is currently in the middle of the first year of her Masters at Queens College (M.S. TESOL) with an anticipated graduation date of June 2013. She is also engaged to
Elizabeth Chester ‘80 poses with Christian Sullivan, Director of Campus Ministry at SFP at the entrance to St. Francis Secondary School in Lare, Kenya.
Growing up in Bayside, Elizabeth Chester ‘80 recalls how her parents were always very involved in civic and volunteer duties at her school, their church and in their community. At the age of 13, she volunteered at Lighthouse for the Blind in Flushing. Since that time she as always been involved in some volunteer activity that helped people in some way. After Prep, she went on to pursue her studies at Oneonta State University and, upon graduation, she thought about joining the Peace Corps and she recalls, “life sometimes leads you elsewhere.” Instead, she relocated to Washington, D.C. and enjoyed a long and successful career in the corporate world in public relations and marketing. Elizabeth said, “I loved that career — every minute of it — but I left it.” Near the end of that career, she kept asking herself, ‘Who benefits from my work?’ The answer was always less than satisfactory, something to the effect of, “a lot of people who don’t really need much help.” She said, “I wanted to change the answer to that question, so I took a leap of faith.” Elizabeth completed work on a Masters in International Health at Virginia’s George Mason University and at age 39, she joined the Peace Corps. At this point in time, she knew that a carer change would be difficult. The Peace Corps would provide her with the solid, on-the-ground experience with people from another culture. For the next seven years, she never earned enough to live on and yet, she says, she wanted for nothing. “To this day I cannot explain how whatever I needed was always there. I think it is a bit of a miracle.”
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Elizabeth is doing wonderful things for the people of Kenya as the Associate Field Director at AMPATH Orphans & Vulnerable Children Program. She heard about the great work that current Prep students are doing and made the 3 hour drive over to St. Francis Secondary School in Lare, Kenya to meet St. Francis Prep’s Director of Campus Ministry, Christian Sullivan, who was on a goodwill mission to deliver resources and other funds that were raised by the St. Francis Prep student body. (See related story on page 49.)
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Pictured: (Back row) Dermot McHale ‘95, John Dowling ‘96, Tim Titchell ‘91, Richie Chan ‘96, Brian Schrubbe ‘96, Maureen KolinoskiHolton ‘80, Jeannie Amendolara-Kevorkian ‘96, and Jennifer Goldstein ‘94. (Middle row) Brian Brennan ‘80, Jimmy Lee ‘97, Elizabeth Owens-Mitchell ‘96, Declan Mitchell ‘96, John Owens ‘71, Maureen Wagner Duda ‘96, Maria Bayes Minetti ‘96, and Rachel Kelly-Tubridy ‘96. (Front row) Brendan Varley ‘96, Jon Finocchio ‘94, Patti Keyes ‘96, Ellen Paukowits-Bayduss ‘96, and Lori Brown-Schmid ‘94.
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Elizabeth Owens-Mitchell ‘96 married Declan Mitchell ‘96 on September 23, 2011 at Water’s Edge with a large number of Prep alumni in attendance.
After finishing her master’s degree, she set out to find the job she had always envisioned in her head – her dream job. She found an opportunity to volunteer and started working with an organization called Christian Connections for International Health. She figured if she surrounded herself with the people and places she wanted to be, something would rub off -- and it did. She had access to a listserv and read two sentences about a job in Kenya that intrigued her. “I clicked on the AMPATH website and thought, finally, an organization that believes in holistic health and well-being for HIV+ people! I called my mother and said, “start a prayer chain, mom, I found the job I want.” The rest, as they say, is history.
Grad Notes
Eddie Jenkins ‘68 Featured in an Inspiring Story and Visits Prep with the Author to Share His Experiences Eddie Jenkins ‘68, one of five students profiled in Diane Brady’s book, “Fraternity,” which chronicles their lives at the College of the Holy Cross in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The book highlights how the mentorship of Rev. John Brooks, S.J., who later served as the college’s president, helped them persevere in their undergraduate careers, and beyond.
Jenkins’ success running the football for Holy Cross caught the attention of pro scouts, and he was drafted into the National Football League, where he played for three seasons. His prowess in the classroom, meanwhile, led him to law school, and a legal career in both the public and private sector.
He was a prosecutor in the Middlesex County, Mass., district attorney’s office, then opened a private law office in Boston at Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, where he practiced for 15 years. In 2003, he was named chairman of the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, which handles licensing of liquor stores, breweries and wineries and works with municipalities to license bars and restaurants. After five years, he became chief of enforcement at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, where his duties included dealing with fraudulent licenses and those convicted of drunk driving.
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His latest appointment — as MassDOT’s chief diversity and civil rights officer — brings him faceto-face with the regulatory framework that was just getting developed when he enrolled at Holy Cross in the fall of 1968, a few months after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. “Encouraging a diverse In his first NFL season, Jenkins played on the 1972 workforce is one way to recognize the strengths and undefeated Miami Dolphins team and has a Super talents of all,” he says. “It’s a way to be more inclusive. Bowl ring with 17 diamonds to prove it. Jenkins, who And it’s very, very American.” (Story content by David also suited up for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills McKay Wilson, College of the Holy Cross) and New England Patriots, was in Indianapolis at Super Bowl XLVI, rooting for New England. Jenkins knew well that football was a young man’s game. He had a plan, enrolling at Suffolk University Law School three days after his gridiron career ended. His legal career began in public service at the U.S. Department of Labor, playing an important role in a landmark decision, Pasula V. Consolidated Coal Co., in which the department backed a coalminer’s right to refuse to work in what he perceived as unsafe working conditions. Pictured from l-r: Alumni Director, Bro. Robert Kent, O.S.F., and Justin Kelly ‘68 pose with several students along with Eddie Jenkins ‘68 (center) and Paul Iacullo ‘68 (far right) after the “book and author” discussion.
Grad Notes
Kyle Flood ‘89 Appointed Head Football Coach at Rutgers Kyle Flood ‘89 was named the 29th head coach at the “Birthplace of College Football” on January 31, 2012. Flood, who served on Rutgers’ coaching staff for the previous seven seasons, assumed the head coaching vacancy created after Greg Schiano resigned his position to become head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
to a 30-11 record, including a 15-1 mark in 2003 en route to the NCAA FCS National Championship and a share of the Atlantic 10 title in 2004. He also served as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator during his stint.
Known as an excellent tactician with strong recruiting ties, Flood has served on the coaching staff of the team with the nation’s longest active bowl winning streak at five games. While being part of a program producing victories at a rate unprecedented in Rutgers’ history, Flood has understood the value of academics. In 2010, Rutgers’ football program ranked first in the nation in Academic Progress Rate and in 2011 the team followed up with the nation’s No. 2 ranking. In the most recent NCAA APR scores released, Rutgers placed ninth nationally, becoming the only public institution nationally to be ranked in the top 10 in five-consecutive years.
Flood’s first college coaching position came in 199596 as offensive line coach at Long Island UniversityC.W. Post. While coaching at C.W. Post, he helped the team to the ECAC Division II Eastern title in 1996. Flood began his coaching career at St. Francis Prep in 1993, as both offensive and defensive line coach in 1993-94.
Prior to his three seasons at Delaware, Flood was offensive line coach at Hofstra from 1997-2001. While at Hofstra, he helped the Pride earn berths in the NCAA FCS playoffs in 1997 and 1999-2001. The Pride were among the top offensive teams in the nation during his tenure, ranking second in total ofA highly respected figure in the coaching profession, fense, fourth in passing and fifth in scoring in 2001. Flood has served as the assistant head coach of the program since 2008 and has been a key part in Rut- Flood is a graduate of Iona College and was a fourgers’ six bowl appearances over his seven-year tenure year letterwinner for the Gaels. (He was also a teamin Piscataway. In addition to his four years as the as- mate of Marco Battaglia at Prep.) Flood earned First sistant head coach, Flood has been in charge of the Team All-Liberty Conference honors in 1991 and offensive line since joining to Rutgers in 2005. served as team captain of the Gaels in 1992.
Flood and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of three children, Kyle, Isabella and Joseph. We congratulate Kyle on all of his remarkable achievements and wish him continued success!
Flood joined Rutgers after three seasons at the University of Delaware, where he helped the Blue Hens GRAD NEWS
Pictured (l-r): Joe Schad ‘92, ESPN National College Football Reporter; Kyle Flood ‘89; Ralph Russo ‘88, National College Football Writer, The Associated Press. (Content by Rutgers University.)
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In Memoriam Charles McTiernan 1936 Gerard Reilly 1937 Rosario Spera 1942 Roy LaRossa 1944 Edward Clarke 1947 Timothy J. Cole 1947 John G. Daly 1948 Daniel Kelly 1952 John Melito 1952 John Rudden 1952 Angelo Casale 1953 Vincent A. Toscano 1953
John J. Collins 1954 Jack Duffy 1954 Sal Allocco 1956 Joseph Guise 1957 Ray Ratkowski 1957 Joseph P. Walker 1957 Richard Cooney 1958 Joseph Taylor 1958 Frank Draganiuk 1960 John Harold 1963 Michael Winnicki 1963 John Baskind 1964
Robert Nunziata 1968 Stephen Demery 1972 Brian Hyland 1973 George Retmanski 1973 James Purdoski 1976 James Leonard Stewart 1977 Andre Maurice Lambert 1977 Christopher Senko 1978 Denise Donovan-Corrigan 1980 Peter Fusco 1985 Donald Egan 1994 Sarah Ferraro 1996
Virginia Ashton mother of Bill Ashton ‘76 Frank Alfano father of Denise ’81, Mariette ’83, & Claudine’88 Michael Amen friend of SFP Michael Barricelli brother of Anthony (retired faculty) Feliciano Binaso father-in-law of Rachel (Math Dept.) Bro. Alfred Bonanza, O.S.F. Franciscan Brother Carol Borhi aunt of Margaret (Science Dept.) Steve Borhi father of Margaret (Science Dept.) Bartlomiej Bucki father of Oskar ‘11 Gloria Chiang-Leon mother of Gloria Touma (Culinart) Amelia DiSomma mother of Joe (SFP Controller) & aunt of David DeRienzo (SFP Health Benefits Coordinator) Thomas Eide husband of Sofia (Finance Office) Daniel Fernandez ‘14 SFP Junior John Mahon father of Melissa Mahon ‘12 James Fusco brother of John ‘76
Mary Diane Heuer mother-in-law of Lisa Schaefer-Heuer ‘87 (Admissions) Catherine SunJa Kim mother of Sylvia ‘88 Hedwig Kolodziejski mother-in-law of Walter Cook ‘60 Michael LaRusso father of Michele ’95 & Melissa ‘97 Antonio Leto brother of Angelica ‘11 Brother Hugh McGrath, O.S.F. Former Faculty, English Department Joseph McVetty father of Sr. Peggy (former faculty) George Merino father of Tania ‘08 Glenn Munro father of George Anne Kotowicz (Campus Ministry) Mary Ann O’Connell grandmother of Christian Sullivan (SFP Campus Ministry) Luigi Oddo uncle of David Ganci ‘88 (Science Dept.) Alex Pennetti friend of SFP Rose Pesce mother of John ‘78 William Pickel father of William ’77, Chris ’86, James ’82 & George, ’81
James Prendergast H’11 Honorary‘11, father of Prep grads Maura ’76, James ’79, Megan ’87, Shivaun ’91, Michael ’82 & Sean ‘80 Helen Rehm mother of Ellen (Science Dept.) Ines Robles mother of Frances ‘86 John Schaubeck father of Richard ‘12 Dora Smith grandmother of Socrates Manolopoulos (Programming Dept.) George Spicijaric father of MaryAnn ‘84 (Science Dept.) Mark Teofilo H ‘12 SFP Music Dept. Anthony Turturro father of Ralph ‘75 Jean Ventricelli mother of Sister Mary Neil Ventricelli (Retired Foreign Language) Wanda Zientarski mother of Rudy ‘63 (Social Studies Dept.)
Joseph P. Walker ‘57 Joseph Walker passed away in his home on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the age of 72. He had a wide and varied corporate career.
He also served in the United States Marine Corps (Reserve). Joseph married Clare Margaret McMahon on April 28, 1962, in Brooklyn, NY.
Joe began his career at Bank of New York, working at American National Bank of Chicago (Group Head, Vice President) and Southwestern General Corporation (President, COO) before becoming Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of CTS Corporation. He retired in 2001 after serving as CEO and Chairman of CTS Corporation for 15 years.
Joseph was passionate about his beloved family, which included his Champion Rottweilers Woody, Coal, Chase and Cara. He was generous with his time as an advocate for many causes.
College, where Joe was a quiet and generous supporter. He was inducted into the SFP Hall of Fame in 2008. Joseph is survived by his wife, Clare; his daughters, Jeanne and Kathryn; sons, Francis, Joseph and Daniel; six grandchildren; sisters, Mary and Ann; and a brother, William. May he rest in peace.
His generosity touched the lives of so many students in the Franciscan community, from St. Francis Prep to St. Francis
Vincent A. Toscano ‘53
At St. Francis Prep, The Toscano’s fully funded the The Paulette and Vincent Toscano ‘53 Scholarship Fund which provides full scholarships to deserving students who might not otherwise be able to afford a Franciscan education at Prep.
He had heartfelt sense of responsibility to share the good fortune which he said, “God heaped upon him and his family.” Vincent was inducted into the St. Francis Prep Hall of Fame on April 16, 2005. The St. Francis Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have significant lifetime achievements and service to the community. Vincent Toscano’s life was a blessing to so many in his family, his profession and the communities to which he belonged. He will be truly missed.
2012
Alongside his wife and sons, he was able to build a successful business by providing
exceptional products and customer service in the pharmaceutical, flavor and confectionery industries. His generosity was abundant. He was active in his parish, involved in the lives of his seven grandchildren and mentored and advised other aspiring business people.
GRAD NEWS
On February 2, 2012, St. Francis Prep lost an esteemed graduate and a good friend in Vincent A. Toscano, Class of 1953. He passed away with his family at his side after a brief illness. He was 75 and left behind a great legacy of accomplishments and kindness in his community, his familyoperated business and at his alma mater, St. Francis Prep. Vincent was a successful chemist, entrepreneur and businessman, and in 1980 he founded Paulaur Corporation.
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Join us for 2012 HOMECOMING WEEKEND
OCTOBER
11 GRAD NEWS 2012
Thursday
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Memory of Jimmy Prendergast ‘79
&
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James Prendergast H’11
OCTOBER
12 Friday
Golf Outing in Memory of Danny Apicella ‘00 A Night at Sullivan’s Football Game at Mitchel Field vs. Cardinal Spellman
OCTOBER
13 Saturday
A Day at Belmont Race Track
OCTOBER
14 Sunday
5k Fun Run in honor of our
in the
September 11th
Turf & Field Club
Heroes
R egist er online at: a lumni.s fp o n l i n e . o r g o r c a l l (7 1 8 ) 4 2 3 -8 8 1 0 e x t. 2 5 9