Interest, Inspiration, Investment

Why Do You Give to Hudson Catholic?

Thoughts from the Chief Advancement Officer

We know there are myriad reasons for why an alumnus or friend chooses to give to Hudson Catholic. Gratitude for the gift of education given to us. Sentimentality for the wonderful experience that four years at Hudson Catholic delivered. Honoring our parents who sacrificed to send us to school here. Tributes to or remembrances of a favorite teacher or Christian Brother, or classmate. Charity for today’s families who face daunting tuition obligations. Investment in our community leaders of tomorrow. Preservation of a great Hudson County school and its traditions. Love for Catholic education, no matter where it may be delivered. The list grows long.

It has been said to me, “I could never ask people for money,” to which I instinctively respond, “I don’t ask people for money. I ask Hawks!” What I mean by that is that Hawks, we, are a special breed. Hawk Pride is real. It manifests in strong, life-long relationships, friendships, and caring for one another and about perpetuating, for generations who succeed us, the traditions that made Hudson Catholic, and the transformative educational experience that prepared us to meet life head on and molded us into individuals who achieve success in our lives and live our lives in service to others -- our families, parishes, schools, communities, and nation.

We know that our bonds to the past provide interest in today’s Hudson Catholic. And as we build success in our personal lives, it inspires us to do good for others, and that is when thoughts of Hudson Catholic come into focus. From there, the investment becomes a personal matter of supporting what interests and inspires us. For most of us, it is the general well-being of the school. For many of us, it is the want to ease the financial burden of a current student and their family through the provision of general tuition assistance or scholarship. For others, it can be any variety of things -- curriculum support, our Catholicity, better facilities, faculty retention, success in athletics, technology upgrades, and so on.

The appeals you receive throughout the year, and they are numerous and varied, are suggestions for consideration. They are designed to have you think about what is important to you and why you choose to give to Hudson Catholic. And I never lose sight of the fact that we pride ourselves on coming together, caring for each other, and meeting the challenges of our times, because.………………….. we are Hawks! And I could never ask people for money!

Message From The Prez

When I first took over the position of Principal, we were at the height of the COVID pandemic.  Because of the NJ State mandate, we provided a virtual option for our students to go along with our in-person option.  In order to make sure all families were current on school information, I began a Sunday email letter.  It’s now two years later and I continue to write that weekly letter to our students and their parents/guardians.  Our families have come to expect that letter and count on it to keep them up to date on all happenings at the Hawks’ Nest for the week.  That being said, I wanted to share the opening paragraph of this week’s letter:

On Saturday, we held an Accepted Students Day for those members in the 8^th grade who were recently accepted to Hudson Catholic and will need to make their decisions in the coming weeks.  The students and families who attended were rightfully impressed with what Hudson Catholic has to offer.   However, once again it was our current students who continue to amaze me.  Every student who helped out at the event VOLUNTEERED.  There were no classroom incentives, detention relief or service requirements being provided.  Instead, our students offered their time and talents simply because they love representing their school …and did so at 8AM on a Saturday morning!!!  I am so very proud to be the President-Principal of Hudson Catholic and I thank our students and families for allowing me this privilege.

I share this piece with you because I want you to have a peek at the wonders I’m allowed to see every day.  Think back to when we were 14, 15, 16 or 17 years old.  How many of us would have gotten up on a Saturday morning to get dressed in school uniform, and then get on a bus, train or car and head BACK to school simply because they needed volunteers?  The young men and women of Hudson Catholic are living examples of what it means to be Lasallian in our daily lives. As always, I invite you to stop by and meet our students. I guarantee you will walk away better for the experience. 

Deepen Your Connections

Estate planning is important. And the need for it becomes apparent early in adult life, for example, for those who have started a family and have minor children.

Going through an estate planning process will help you to reflect on the people and nonprofits that are important to you and the legacy you would like to leave.

Let’s say you decide to leave a gift to Hudson Catholic in your will or living trust. But you also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both with the inclusion of just one easy and flexible sentence that gifts Hudson Catholic a percentage of your estate or a specific dollar amount and helps ensure that we continue our mission for years to come.

Consult your estate planning representative to set up your wishes, then kindly share the good news at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org.

Acceptances Out to Class of ’27!

238 acceptances found their way into the mail recently, which is in the range of the prior five years. While it is too early to report on what the next incoming class will look like, from this number we can make some reasonable projections. We have started the year with 140 freshman for the past five years, and that is our expectation for the coming year. This initial acceptance mailing generally nets about 75-80 students to start the class, and then we go through the ensuing months continuing recruitment efforts and building up to the full class size. It is a stressful process, for sure, until the target is hit. But we now have a Waiting List, which did not exist for many years. As for upper class transfers, we are about 'maxed out', so we will take on new students when we have commensurate departures. All in all, a good place to be.

https://hudsoncatholic.org/galahf

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Bringing the Hall of Fame to You

Inductees 0f 2007

Phil Gazzale, Thomas F.X. Bender, Jr '69,

Catherine Greene, Walter Plunkett

In the lead-up to the induction of new Hall of Famers on March 30^th, we will bring you the profiles of those who are installed in the Hall of Fame on display in the main lobby of the school.

For those of you not able to visit in person, this will give you an opportunity to dwell on the many significant contributions of our Hall of Famers to Hudson Catholic, their communities, and professions.

While the Hudson Catholic Hall of Fame is a visual centerpiece in the school lobby, we realize that not everyone can visit the school to see it. Consequently, we are in the process of digitizing the Hall and presenting it on hudsoncatholic.org/hof for all to see ‘the best of Hudson Catholic’ on display.

Phil Gazzale

One of Hudson Catholic’s true institutions * Joined the Faculty in 1973, graduating Magna Cum Laude from New Jersey City University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology * Holds two professional Certifications as Teacher of Science Comprehensive and of Biological Sciences, with added coursework at Stevens Institute of Technology, St. Peter’s University, and Rutgers Cook College * Throughout a distinguished career, served Hudson Catholic as a teacher of science, Dean of Academics, Dean of Technology and Operations, Dean of Operations and Instruction, Science and Technology Department Chairperson, Director of Technology, Director of the Freshman Assistance Program, Moderator of Athletics and the Biology and the Technology Clubs, Director of Summer School, Merck State Science Competition Coordinator, Telecommunications Coordinator for the Institute for Urban Education, De Lasalle Scholar Mentor, Closed-circuit TV Coordinator, and director of various community outreach programs, including Saturday Science, Science-on-a-Shoestring, computer workshops for grammar school teachers, and summer enrichment and outreach programs for grammar school students * Served the Boy Scouts of America as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Weblos Leader, Merit Badge Counselor, Commissioner, and Order of the Arrow Publications advisor * Served 10 years on the Executive Board of the Catholic Committee on Scouting * In recognition of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts of America, he received the St. George Award and the Bronze Pelican Award from the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and the National President’s Scoutmaster Award of Merit * Served his St. Ann’s Parish in Hoboken as a lector, CCD instructor, CYO Executive Board member, and Parish Council member * In recognition of dedicated service to the students of Hudson Catholic, received the distinguished Lasallian Educator Award from the Baltimore District of the Christian Brothers, the Outstanding Educator Award from the Archdiocese of Newark, the distinguished Lasallian Educator Award from the U.S.-Toronto Region of the Christian Brothers, the Magister Virtuus Award, and the Signum Fidei Award * Also a member of the Hudson Catholic Football Wall of Honor

Thomas F. X. Bender, Jr. '69

A life spent in leadership in his profession and for his school * A practicing Pharmacist for 48 years, specialized in retail community pharmacy, and owning independent community pharmacies in Jersey City, Wall Township, and Keansburg * Founded Pharmacy Management Consultants in 1989 to provide professional services to independent and chain pharmacies * Over the years, served his profession in numerous professional associations -- President and Chairman of the Board of the Hudson County Pharmaceutical Society, multiple terms on the boards of the New Jersey Pharmacists Association and the Garden State Pharmacy Owners Association, and as a member of the USP Expert Committee on Packaging, Storage and Distribution * Appointed by Governor Richard Codey in 2005 and reappointed by Governor Chris Christie in 2010 to the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy, ultimately serving as President * Named 2014 New Jersey Pharmacist of the Year by the NJ Retail Merchants Association and NJ Council of Retail Drug Stores * Has remained involved at Hudson Catholic through the years * Member of the advisory committee for Middle States Accreditation, 2000 - 2008 * Selected to chair the first Board of Consultors in 2009 * Established and continues to sponsor the Thomas F.X. Bender, Jr. Alumni Football Scholarship Award and, along with fellow football alumni of the Class of 1969, co-sponsors the Class of ’69 Alumni Football Scholarship * Also a member of the Hudson Catholic Football Wall of Honor.

Catherine Greene

Long-serving Librarian who touched the lives of students and faculty with her guiding hand * Earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from North Carolina Central University * Taught English and served as Librarian at Highland High School in Gastonia, North Carolina, 1961 - 1977 * Earned a Certificate in Education Administration in 1977 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte * Began her tenure at Hudson Catholic, in 1977and remained as Librarian for 28 years * Moderated the Ebony Club and assisted other clubs such as The Commentator and Debate Club with research * Her dedication to library science allowed the Library to expand outside the walls of Hudson Catholic, taking full advantage of the advent of the Internet * Under Catherine’s guidance, students and faculty were able to expand their knowledge through ‘the click of a mouse’ * Her diligence in adding state-of-the-art computers in the Library was essential to her role in shaping and expanding the knowledge of the student body * Having the right tools to allow students to learn outside of the classroom made her career very rewarding * Her service extended beyond Hudson Catholic. teaching arts and crafts to young children at the East Orange Public Library and volunteering in a story hour program, reading to children for 11 summers * Retired from the school she loved and the students she admired in June 2005, completing 28 years of loyal service.

Walter Plunkett

Prolific volunteer and pioneer fundraiser for Hudson Catholic * Actively involved with Hudson Catholic since its 1964 inception at St. Patrick’s Parish through 1998, both before and following his son Thomas’ 1967 entrance and 1971 graduation * Pioneered the Men’s Club in 1965; elected President in 1978 * The backbone of a fundraising effort undertaken by the Men’s Club in 1967 to support the football program, which raised over $1 million over the next 35 years and spread to support other activities at the school, along with student scholarships, administrative needs, the Tree of Life in the main lobby, and the Aid to Tuition Fund * Every Wednesday for 25 years, selflessly arrived in the late afternoon to prepare Castle Hall for the evening’s Bingo. the cash-cow of fundraising * Added the popular Night at the Races to successful fundraising and social events for the school community * Additional activities included weekend carnivals, school anniversaries, snack bars at basketball games, Men’s Club dances, trips to Bermuda and Nassau, weekends in the Poconos, and musical productions * In honoring Walter, we honor all fathers who participated in the activities of the Men’s Club over the years. The support of the Men’s Club was of invaluable assistance in the school’s early years.

Save The Date

The Jack Campion Stage Naming Tribute

Friday, April 28th, 2023 - 6pm

in the 'Rocky' Pope Gymnasium

What It Means To Be Lasallian

Being of service to others comes in many forms. Upon reading an article in the New York Post written by Howard Kussoy, members of HEART 9/11, an organization comprising police and firefighters who served at Ground Zero, and founded and led by Hudson Catholic Hall of Famer Bill Keegan '73, will be sending 12 of its members late this month to Mobile, Alabama to help New York Mets 1969 World Series hero Cleon Jones renovate houses in his birthplace of Africatown.

Alumni Spotlight

Hawks in the Service, and in Service to Others



Scott Czarkowski ‘86 officially retired form the Port Authority of NY/NJ as a Police Officer and Aircraft Rescue Firefight after 31 years of service.

Pat Griese ‘88 recently became Assistant Chief of the Long Valley Fire Company after 40 years of service in the JC Fire Department, including as Second Battalion Chief, and marking 30 years volunteering for Long Valley, including three time Company Fire Chief. He is also former Fire Instructor, for 20 years, at the Morris County Fire Academy.

Brian Church ‘99, now in his 22^nd year with the U.S. Marine Corps, is an Aviation Ordnance Chief, stationed in Bahrain.

Anthony Kurasz ‘07 is a Firefighter for the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland. Prior to that, he served two years in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Chief Gunner’s Mate, and eight years active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Gunner’s Mate 1^st Class.

Add Mike Catrillo ’79 to the ‘Principal’s Club’ among Hawk Alumni. When we did this feature back in BTLvxx and followed up in BTLvxx, we had not yet identified Mike and his credentials, even as he had been hiding out in the full light of day, every day, for 25 years in East Stroudsburg, PA as a school principal in the East Stroudsburg Area School District. There, he served as Principal at Middle Smithfield Elementary, 1996-2004; J.T. Lambert Intermediate School, 2004-2010, East Stroudsburg High School South, 2010-2021 Mike is now happily and deservedly retired from educational administration.  

Kristina Guarino ’13 is a Life Scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the New York City area.

Sumbal Shahzadi ‘19 is a Senior Nursing Student at St. Peter’s University and Experienced Student Nurse Extern at Holy Name Medical Center.

BTLv76 Focus on '76

'76 Memories

It was a great year for Hawk athletics. Although the Hawks fell short of defending their County title, as legendary coach Bob Hurley Sr and St. Anthony claimed their revenge from a year-ago defeat, 52-46, the Hawks made up for it, capping a 20-win season with a convincing 44-31 victory over Holy Spirit of Absecon, to claim the first State Championship of any kind in Hudson Catholic school history. And the Football Hawks scored the school's first ever County Championship in Division B, in the process setting a school record for wins with a 6-2-1 record.

Basketball seniors were Hudson Catholic Hall of Famer Tom Clark, Steve O'Brien, Ed Chiemelewski, Mark Carugan, and Mike O’Koren, who received an invite, as a high schooler, to tryouts for the 1976 Olympic basketball team that went on to become the USA Gold Medal Team that year in Montreal, avenging the controversial first USA Olympic basketball loss ever, to the Russians, at the 1972 Munich Games.

Football seniors were All County First Teamers Bill Roman and John Scepkowski; John Cavallo, Warren Curtis, Tony Goicoechea (dec.), Tom Halter, Mike Martucci (dec.), Ray Prato, Art Selander, Tony Tardibono, and Tom Zawistowski (dec.).

Lou Corio remembers being entertained at his cafeteria table during many a lunch period by magic tricks performed by classmate Joe Wierzbicki (pictured), but was “blown away when, in 1986, I happened to see him on the Tonight Show performing his magic act for Johnny Carson!” All in all, Joseph Gabriel (his stage name) appeared seven times on the Tonight Show.

Joe Ward recollects the relaxation of the dress code early in freshman year, which provided the environment needed for Artie Rizzo to cultivate the perfect “fro” / risking detention by sneaking off campus to eat at Meyer’s luncheonette or Garguilo’s deli. Still remember the pizza rolls and rice pudding at Garguilo’s (owned by the family of Carl Gargiulo' 73) , and Tony La Tempa teaching how to correctly pronounce capicola. At Meyer’s, after completing an order, Mr. Neil Maresca, the school disciplinarian, stealthily appeared from the neighboring booth to tell us to enjoy our cheeseburgers and to see him after school for detention / storming the JC Armory floor after we beat St. Anthony to win the 1975 HCIAA championship / awkward slow dances with the St. Dom’s girl while listening to Color My World / enjoying Brother Al’s eccentricities at the bookstore and watching the HO car races there / going to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade senior year, with fellow truants Billy Conroy, Bill Ferner, Jackie Greten (dec.), Tom Fitzsimmons, Joe Kahle, Jim Drennan and others who still choose to remain anonymous to avoid a retroactive ding to their senior year report card!

K-9 Lemagne

The recent graduation from the Port Authority police academy of five K9 cadets specializing in explosives and narcotics accompanied their naming for five fallen PAPD Officers who died at Ground Zero on 9/11. One of those brave men was one of our own, David Lemagne ’92, who was inducted posthumously into the Hudson Catholic Hall of Fame in 2021.The Officers’ families will receive a commemorative plaque acknowledging their loved ones’ sacrifice.

The Changing Neighborhood

This looks to be the new view from one of the 'hoods in the Journal Square vicinity, where the sky in the former low-rise view is now filled with Towers 1 and 2 of the Journal Squared complex on Pavonia Avenue between the Boulevard and Summit Avenue. Ground just broke for Tower 3, a 60-story building, to join the existing 70- and 54-story Towers.

Calling All Alumnae

In building a strong Alumnae base, it is important for Hudson Catholic to be able to find and communicate with our 13 classes of female graduates. If you know some of our grads listed below, and can help by furnishing their email address or let them know we are seeking their contact info, then do one of the following, please.

Send known email addresses to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org or

Send alumni to hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to update their info

Who are we talking about?

Let's start with alumnae of our first four co-ed classes:

Nice Shirt!

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.....it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

 - Melody Beattie, author

Requiescant in Pace

Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur

(Life is changed, not ended)



John Sheedy '69

Dino Favetta '76

Orlando Garcia '06

Beth Colligan, wife of Jerry Colligan '80

Rufino Luistro, father of Lloyd '94

John Mason Sr., father of John '76

Joan Miklas, mother of Stanley '88 & the late Frederick '90

Edward Paradine, brother of Michael '80

Domenico Pepe, father of Dominick '87

Michael Skea '74

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