Our FSC Brother Principal Lineage

With the passing in late 2020 of Brother Thomas Caldwell, age 93, the second Principal in the annals of Hudson Catholic, we looked through the archives at he and his peers who preceded and succeeded him in the corner office at Mercer Street and Tuers Ave. The accompanying photo hangs in the main office, picturing the first seven FSC Principals at Hudson Catholic.   The origination of Hudson Catholic in 1964 was placed in the capable hands of the late Brother Francis McCormick FSC (1902-1994). Brother Francis welcomed the very first Hawk freshman class, not at the building known to every other class since, but at the downtown parish of St. Patrick’s school, while awaiting the completion of our campus at 790 Bergen Ave, where he welcomed the 1965 freshman class at out present day site.   Brother Tom Caldwell arrived in Jersey City in 1966 and ushered in the next two classes while presiding over the first commencement exercise in school history in 1968. He passed away in Lincroft, NJ on September 14, 2020, 68 years after pronouncing his Perpetual Vows, and is interred at De La Salle Cemetery in Beltsville, MD.   Brother Luke Maher assumed the helm in 1968, through 1971, handing the baton to the late Brother Timothy Dean, who served through 1974. Brother Martin Zewe then took the reins and led the school into its second decade, through 1977.   Brother Emmitt O’Neil took charge and served in the role six years, through 1983. He is today known as John O’Neil, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark. As such, he continues to oversee Hudson Catholic governance to this day.   Brother Kevin Stanton, the longest tenured Principal in school history, led the school from 1983 to 1991. During Br. Kevin’s term, the school celebrated its Silver Jubilee, 25th Anniversary in 1989.   Brother Thomas Gerrow arrived on the scene to serve from 1991 to 1994, after whom we welcomed the late Brother David Baginski, who held the position until his sudden passing at home in the Brothers Residence in 1996. His funeral mass was celebrated at St. Aedan’s church, within view from his Hudson Catholic office. The Baginski Tree stands in memory of Brother David just inside the parking lot entrance.

Brother Charles Barbush FSC was appointed in the aftermath of the shock of losing Brother David, serving as head of school through 1999. Brother Tim Ahern returned to Hudson Catholic in 1999, this time as Principal, until 2005.   In 2005, the Archdiocese installed Mr. Paul Ward as Hudson Catholic’s first President, and first lay person to serve as head of school, holding that position until the end of the 2008 school year.    Administration rotated to other religious leadership from 2008 to 2012, then back to lay leadership in 2012 when Mr. Richard Garibell became President/Principal. And just this year, on January 1st, those reigns were handed to long-time teacher and administrator, Terry Matthews, who became the 16th Principal, and 4th President of Hudson Catholic, having a long and illustrious history to buoy him, and Hudson Catholic, on to greater heights.   St. John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for Us. Live, Jesus, in Our Hearts Forever.

Catching Up With Brother Tim Ahern, FSC Hudson Catholic: 1978-88; Principal 1999-2005

We caught up with Brother Tim Ahern recently, on his post at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ.   BTL: What is your role at CBA? TA: I teach. Four classes. History. US History, Civil War, World War II. I also run the Bookstore (textbooks, no apparel), and I drive the team bus (an apparent throwback to 790 Bergen Avenue).   BTL: What is life like in Lincroft? TA: It’s great, no doubt. I’ve been here since 2012, teaching for nine years. Teaching is my first love. (BTL comment: One thing we’ve always noted about the FSC, is that many take a turn to run a school, then after completing their stint, are happy to return to teaching or other administrative roles. That says a lot about the men.)   BTL: What is CBA like? TA: It is a school that draws from surrounding counties, while competing against strong public schools or alternative choices. Our students are eager students, similar to other Christian Brothers’ schools, and the school enjoys strong parental support.   BTL: Tell us about a student who was forced to leave Hudson Catholic in the 80s, and how you surprised that student years later, in your term as Principal, by bestowing an honorary Hudson Catholic diploma. TA: Wow! Forgot about that. He had some personal difficulties that led to his withdrawal. I played my role as The Wizard of Oz and was able to surprise him with an honorary diploma. He was elated and, apparently, it has meant a great deal to him, for him to recall all the details around what led up to that moment. I am happy to know that my action meant so much to him. I can assure you, it was not something that I did frivolously. There was a very good reason for it, which I will not go into detail about.   BTL: Memories of Hudson Catholic. TA: I was very much into the sports program during my first stint there, so being on Coach Rocky Pope’s staff for baseball and winning the County Championship in 1985 is a great memory. Also, being basketball moderator, with Rocky as Coach, was a trip worth taking. One crazy memory as Principal was when a student came to me and asked if we could start an Archery Team. Me: “with bows and arrows?” Student: “yes.” Me: Where are you going to practice and perform?” Student: “The Courtyard?” Me: ‘With students moving all about the Courtyard? I don’t think so.”   BTL: three dinner guests.  TA: Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and my dad, Tim Ahern Sr.    Brother Tim consistently proclaims that his time spent in Jersey City (at Hudson Catholic) were the best years of his life and career, and strongly asserts that that holds true of virtually every other Christian Brother who took that route during their career.   Editors’ Note: Brother Tim will be returning to Jersey City to induct the Founding Christian Brothers Community of 1964-1968 at the Hudson Catholic Hall of Fame Dinner on June 18th at Hudson House, in Port Liberte.

Turner & American Express are Hall Sponsors! The heavyweights are rolling into Hall of Fame event sponsorships! We are thrilled to have Turner Construction as our Premier Event Sponsor and American Express as our Cocktail Hour Sponsor. Previously, we announced our Co-Dinner sponsors as the Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC-DENA) and the Alumni Association Hudson Catholic High School.

Summer is here! Hawks at the Shore At best estimate, we have hundreds of alumni living on the Jersey Shore. And we know that, sometimes, we have to come to you, rather than the other way around. We will begin that process this summer.   Hudson Catholic, in partnership with Bobby Quirk ’73 and The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Belmar (no sleeping in cars!), will host a 'Hawks at the Shore' event on Saturday, August 7th (3 - 6pm) open to the first 100 alumni and guests who care to drop by and celebrate our memorable past and bright future.   Reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and limited to an alum plus one guest. Price is $85 per person, for buffet and open bar.   To reserve your spot, please go to www.hudsoncatholic.org/Shore. Payment is required to hold your reservation. There will be no payments taken at the door. The door is for hitting you on the way out!   Could it be that attendees will run into the likes of Mark Mai, Lou Manzo, or George Carfora? Many a mystery guest expected. See you in Belmar!

54th Graduating Class enters the books Welcome Class of 2021 to the Alumni Ranks! For what was a very special class in the annals of Hudson Catholic, the first and only senior class who traversed the entire school year under the restrictions and challenges of learning and thriving in pandemic times, Saturday afternoon, June 5th, was both a relief and exhilarating event. President-Principal Terry Matthews conferred diplomas on the 140 members of the Class of 2021 on the turf of the Lincoln Park athletic field. At the invitation of Matthews, Richard Garibell returned to address the class he stewarded for their first three years, and Brian Neary '69 welcomed the graduates to the ranks of alumni. An added highlight of the commencement season was the virtual graduation of St. Peter's University on June 3rd, in which 15 Hawk students received their Associate’s Degree, a number of them with the cum laude designation, as fulfillment of their curriculum obligations in the Dual Enrollment Program at Hudson Catholic. Congratulations to these graduates, their teachers, and a special thank you to Mr. Bill Venezia ’70, our Director of Instruction, for coordinating the program in such an excellent manner.  On to 2021-2022 for Hudson Catholic! On to the delights and challenges of young adulthood for our graduates! But always remember Hudson Catholic!

It’s Later Than You Think! Annual Fund Appeal Concludes June 30th June 30th marks the end of our school and fiscal year. We are making one last appeal to you, our alumni family, to show your extraordinary generosity as we end the school year on the highest note possible and help make sure we finish in the black. The need for financial support for our students grows every day, and they are counting on you to be their ‘guardian angels’. Here’s how you can be the difference: go to www.hudsoncatholic.org/1964 to contribute to 1964: The Fund for Hudson Catholic, to be counted in this year’s Annual Report of Giving for July 2020 - June 2021.   From Hudson Catholic, a huge Hawk THANK YOU!

Editor's Note re: 'Annual Report of Giving' Ad Pricing In a segment last issue on the upcoming Annual Report of Giving ("Support the Report that Reports the Support"), we omitted ad pricing for the primo locations in the production. They are: Inside Front Cover, and Inside Back Cover: $500 each, and Back Cover: $1,000. We regret the error.

STAYING CONNECTED BEING HAWKS FIDELITY TO HUDSON CATHOLIC The data quality in our database is of paramount importance for two reasons: to be able to communicate with you and to be able to appeal to you for donations.   Communicating with you includes your ability to receive news about Hudson Catholic, primarily through our bi-weekly Building The Legacy newsletter, but also includes our need to send you important information on topical matters such as event announcements, memorial notices, and special announcements about school governance.   Appealing to you includes our annual fund appeal for 1964: the Fund for Hudson Catholic, student emergency funding, scholarship and financial aid appeals, special appeals to enable the purchase of large ticket items to renew our facilities and equipment, or a variety of other campaigns that may address the things that matter most to you and may motivate you to offer a gift or donation to Hudson Catholic.   We endeavor, continuously, to update our contact information from public sources, with what you provide us, or by simply asking you to confirm our records when you interact with us. But we always need your help in ensuring the accuracy of our contact information.   You can help by providing updates any time your mailing address, phone number, email address, or employment information changes by going to hudsoncatholic.org/stayconnected.   You can also provide that information for alumni you are in contact with, particularly those who we publish as ‘Lost Alumni’ in the BTL ‘Where Are They?’ section.   Data is the lifeblood of the Hudson Catholic community. It links us and keeps us linked together, and, sometimes, it is even the most important asset for saving a school.   Please……..STAY CONNECTED!

Where Are They? (formerly known as 'LOST ALUMNI') We have no phone, email, or mailing addresses for these graduates. Let’s get out there and find these Hawks and send information to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org!

Class of 1968 Robert Humak Peter McCormick Frederick Moss William Oliveri Donald Sweeney John Zaccardi Class of 1975 Sergio Gonzales Robert Sadowski Gary Spiewak James Sweeney Class of 1989 Vitor Mamalateo Ramzy Tados Class of 1994 Anthony Bucci Class of 1999 Steven Fusco Jr. Class of 2003 James Tucker

Do You Like Us? Are You New to 'BTL'? If you have not been with us since the beginning in July 2020, because we didn't have your email address, or you recently found us, and you like what you see and want to see more, you can now go back into the Building The Legacy library to see what you've missed. Go to hudsoncatholic.org/hawknews and click on the icons for each of our issues to date. It's light reading - a mix of alumni, school, historical, event, and advancement topics and photos. A little something for everyone. And, tell us what you think at advacnement@hudsoncatholic.org.

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