Legends of Prep VII Program

Welcome to

Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner and Ceremony

SAINT PETER’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRESENTS

Lifetime Achievement AwardsDinner and Ceremony

HONORINGMr. Gerry Bellotti, P’88

Mr. John J. Bergin, ‘50

Mr. Laurence T. Fell, ‘54

Mr. John J. “Jack” Finn, ‘52, P’81,’82,’85,’87,’94(Posthumously)

Mr. Richard F. Gronda, ‘59, P’86,’89,’90

Mr. Bernard M. Hartnett, ‘47, P’78

Mr. Francis J. Mertz, ‘54

Saturday, November 12, 2005Mayfair Farms

West Orange, New Jersey

PROGRAM

WELCOME John R. Raslowsky, II, ‘79

Master of Ceremonies

INVOCATION AND WELCOME Fr. James F. Keenan, S.J.

President

SPECIAL INTRODUCTIONSJames C. Horan, ‘70

Vice President for Planning and External Affairs

MUSICAL INTERLUDESJonathan Treble, ‘06 & Daniel Brennan, ‘07

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSGerry Bellotti, P’88

presented by Joan Marie BellottiJohn J. Bergin, ‘50

presented by Lou Cella, ‘50 Laurence T. Fell, ‘54

presented by John Fell and Mary Jean Fell-Casler John J. “Jack” Finn, ‘52, P’81,’82,’85,’87,’94

presented & accepted by Dave Finn, ‘82 and Tom Finn, ‘87 Richard F. Gronda, ‘59, P’86,’89,’90

presented by Jim Bambrick, ‘60 Bernard M. Hartnett, ‘47, P’78presented by Fr. Ed Heavey, S.J., ‘47

Francis J. Mertz, ‘54presented by Bishop John Flesey, ‘60

“PRIDE & GLORY”Jimmy Byrne, ‘54

– LEGENDS OF PREP – – LEGENDS OF PREP –

Gerry Bellotti, P’88When Gerry Bellotti walks into a room, you

know it immediately. You feel it; the atmospherechanges. It is the same understated but dynamicenergy that he brings to every endeavor, and theresults speak for themselves.

Gerry made his mark at St. Peter’s Prep duringthe 1980’s, serving as the alumni and developmentdirector, athletic director and head footballcoach—having a profound impact in all threeareas.

As alumni and development director, he laidthe foundation for much of Prep’s current strengthin its external outreach, including a significantexpansion of reunions and other alumni-relatedevents. He added both structure andsophistication to the fund-raising program, including instituting the first Prepphonathon. As a result, the Annual Fund grew dramatically during his tenure, from$37,000 to $700,000 annually, including large increases in the number of donors atleadership levels.

As athletic director, Gerry oversaw the rebirth of Prep’s athletic program, includingthe hiring of new coaching staffs and the creation of what he referred to as “a newimage” for the school’s many athletic teams. As a result, by the mid-1980’s the school’sathletic program, as a whole, had regained its position of prominence in Hudson Countyand northern New Jersey.

Athletically, his most visible impact was on the football field. He inherited a team in1980 that was in the midst of a 0-20 losing streak, accompanied by rumors that the sportmay be dropped from the athletic program. Within five years, Gerry had them playingin the Parochial A state finals, setting the stage for the success that continues to this day.

A former All-American quarterback during his playing days at St. Joseph’s H.S.(WNY) and a record-setting quarterback at Villanova University, Gerry has beeninducted into the Hudson County Hall of Fame, the St. Peter’s Prep Athletic Hall ofFame, and the St. Joseph’s H.S. Hall of Fame.

Currently, he serves as vice president of the Independent College Fund of NewJersey, which supports the state’s 14 private colleges and universities. Previously, heserved as director of alumni affairs at Manhattan College, and as director of alumnirelations and director of major gifts at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Gerry and his wife, Joan Marie, are the proud parents of three daughters and a son,Greg, Prep class of ‘88, who have blessed them with five grandchildren. A gentlemanand a role model for his players and colleagues alike, Gerry’s leadership skills areperfectly balanced by his warm sense of humor, his humanity, and a deep spirituality. Hiswork is characterized by his personal philosophy: Commitment, consistency, and class.At Grand & Warren, it is a legacy that is truly legendary.

John J. Bergin, ‘50Prep’s viewbook states: “It is not simply Prep

for four years…it is Prep for life.” This statementimbues John Bergin, and it represents the supportand service he continues to provide to his almamater and many other institutions.

While attending Prep on an academicscholarship, John participated in many co-curricular activities that would foreshadow theleadership he would demonstrate beyond Grand &Warren. Perhaps it was his years in Sodality, KBS,or as a class officer that led him to incorporateservice into his daily life. Surely, his time spent asa member of the Petroc staff provided him with theability to get to the heart of the matter, and tohelp others to see the full story.

After graduation, John continued his Jesuit education at Saint Peter’s College, servingas student council vice-president and president of the Spur Society, the Honor Societyfor the School of Business. He also earned a master’s degree from Rutgers University’sSchool of Management.

After serving as an officer in the Army for two years, John began his business career withIBM, where he held sales and marketing management positions in support of the New YorkMetro and New England areas. In 1974, he left IBM and served as vice president and generalmanager of national and international marketing and operations at Control DataCorporation. In 1992, he became president and CEO of Bidwell Associates Incorporated, amanagement consulting firm.

John has been a consistent member of Prep’s President’s Council, was a majorsupporter of both the Carpe Diem and the Keys to the Future capital campaigns, and isone of the school’s most effective class chairmen. In 2000, he co-chaired his class’s 50threunion celebration, during which he and his fellow committee members established anew standard that every subsequent golden anniversary class has adopted. He currentlyserves on the Prep Alumni Board, where his experience, guidance and enthusiasticsupport are consistently provided to, and most welcomed by, his fellow board members.He is also co-founder of Prep’s First Friday Club, which gathers each month to enjoyPrep fellowship over lunch.

Prep is not the only recipient of John’s dedication to Christian service. He is amember of the board of trustees and the executive committee for Catholic Charities inNew Jersey; serves on the board of Loyola Retreat House in Morristown; and is afounding member of the Social Concerns Committee of St. Catharine & St. MargaretParish in Spring Lake, N.J.

A Brielle resident, John and his wife Mary consider their finest accomplishment theireight children, eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. “Prep for Life” andJohn Bergin: one defines the other.


Laurence T. Fell, ‘54Whenever the topic of conversation involves

schools, Larry Fell eagerly expresses his deep,abiding belief in the value of a Catholiceducation—and with good reason: His educationwas the springboard to a professional careermarked by integrity and achievement at everylevel. And along the way, he has never forgottenthe institutions that inspired this success.

Raised in North Bergen, Larry is a self-proclaimed “sports nut.” Spending 17 summers athis uncle’s sports camp reinforced this passion,which continued during his years at Prep as amember of the varsity basketball team. (Heplayed alongside fellow Prep “Legend” KenKunzman.) Today, he brings the same enthusiasmto his avid, regular tennis competitions.

Following graduation from Saint Peter’s College, Larry entered the world of finance,starting at Stern, Lauer, & Co. in New York City in 1959. Subsequently, he heldexecutive positions at several of the largest securities firms on Wall Street, includingmanaging director of Fixed Income Trading at Lehman Brothers, and executive vicepresident at Smith Barney. He earned an MBA in finance from NYU and attended theprestigious Investment Banking Institute at The Wharton School of the University ofPennsylvania.

Larry’s professional affiliations include The Bond Club of New York, The MunicipalBond Club, and The Investment Association. He also is a Knight of Malta, an honorbestowed on “Catholics enlivened by altruistic nobleness of spirit and behavior.”

For over 50 years, Larry has remained loyal to his alma mater, serving two terms onPrep’s board of trustees and providing continuous support to numerous initiatives. Notsurprisingly, during his tenure as chairman of Prep’s development committee, the AnnualFund increased substantially.

A member of the President’s Council for over twenty-five years, Larry has been a leaddonor to both the Keys to the Future and Carpe Diem campaigns. His generosity andhis belief in Catholic education are witnessed by memberships in the President’s Club ofSaint Peter’s College, College of the Holy Cross, Rosemont College, and VillanovaUniversity, as well. But it is Prep that has always been, and will remain, his Pride andGlory.

Three generations of the Fell family have a connection to Prep: His mother, MaryCullum Fell, counts five brothers and four family members as graduates; Larry’s father-in-law, Leo Sullivan, ‘22, taught at Prep in the 1920’s; and son-in-law Lt. CommanderJeffrey Casler is an ’86 graduate.

Now that Larry has retired, he and his wife, Eileen, are able to enjoy their ninechildren and their families. Whether in Manhattan, Spring Lake or Florida, he stillenjoys sports—and always makes time for St. Peter’s Prep.


John J. “Jack” Finn, ‘52, P’81,’82,’85,’87,’94Jersey City, St. Peter’s Prep and Jack Finn.

These three entities are eternally bound to oneanother, having grown together and, indeed,prospered together for more than half a century.In May 2004, on the occasion of Jack’s passing, alocal newspaper wrote of Jack that he was a trueJersey City character. It was a typical HudsonCounty compliment—and, typically, it madethose who knew him well smile in appreciation.

It was often said that Jack was born into anatural position of leadership, the oldest of 10children and the first of four Finn brothers toattend Prep. Staying with the Jesuit tradition, heattended Saint Peter’s College, earning an A.B. inmathematics in 1956. Returning home after two

years of active duty in Japan with the U.S. Army, he received a master’s degree inmathematics from the University of Maine in 1960, and a P.M.D. from the HarvardBusiness School in 1968.

A valued “company man,” Jack worked for 37 years within the former Bell System,including Bellcore, AT&T, and New York Telephone, before retiring in 1997.“Retirement” never meant idle time for Jack; it simply meant more time to dedicate to histhree great loves: his family, his alma mater and his city.

When it came to starting his own family, Jack and his wife, Mary (nee McNally),knew that Jersey City was their home. They were very intent that their sons would livein the city and experience everything it had to offer, and the family thrived, around thecorner from his boyhood home.

It was his love for, and dedication to, his home town that led him to volunteer formany civic roles, including serving as a member of the board of managers for the JerseyCity Medical Center, as well as the Jersey City Board of Education. A founding memberof the Community Action Council, Jack helped transform the Jersey City politicalprocess: He was determined in his loyalty to the city and knew that even though it mayhave gone through some tough periods, it would rebound from adversity.

A proud member of the Class of ‘52, a Prep parent five times over, and now a Prepgrandparent of two, Jack Finn is as much a part of St. Peter’s Prep as the bricks andmortar. A member of the President’s Council, a class chairman, and the co-chair for his50th reunion, he was never more than a phone call away. As his grandsons join the ranksof the third generation of Finn men to spend their years at Grand & Warren, they do soknowing that their grandfather is among the true Prep legends.


Richard F. Gronda, ‘59, P’86,’89,’90When mentioning the name Gronda around

St. Peter’s Prep, you have to be specific as towhom you are referring. For the younger alumniit could mean Doug, ‘86, Rick, ’89 or Dan ’90,each of whom ranked among the outstandingstudent-athletes of their era. But if you werereferring to the Gronda who has cast a giantshadow at Grand & Warren for five decades, then,of course, the answer is their father, Rich, ’59.

It is unlikely that you will ever meet analumnus who “bleeds maroon and white” morethan Rich, and, as the ultimate testament, hisname is familiar to literally thousands of Prepalumni who have never met him. For most ofthem, Rich will be forever connected to the Prepfootball program. After all, he was a marquee member of what may be the greatest singleteam in Prep’s athletic history—the ’58 squad that went undefeated while outscoringopponents 337-26 and ranking third in the nation.

Actually, it began in the fall of 1955 when Rich joined a Prep football program undercoaches Cochrane and Zucconi. Following an outstanding freshman year, he started atoffensive and defensive tackle for the varsity as a sophomore—an extremely rareoccurrence at the time. As a junior he was named First Team All-County and First TeamAll-Metropolitan. The next year, he was named First Team All-State, All-Metropolitanand All-County and was voted to the Sporting News All-American team. Unfortunately,his career was cut short by injuries sustained while at Villanova University.

Rich has never lost contact with his alma mater, and throughout his adult life he hasbeen one of the school’s most consistently loyal supporters. A two-term member ofPrep’s board of trustees, he was a vocal advocate of improving the physical plant andincreasing the school’s out-of-county student recruitment efforts. And as always, he ledby example, making a leadership gift to the Keys to the Future capital campaign insupport of the science labs and the new weight room. As for Prep’s outreach to thesuburbs, Rich knew the possibilities: After all, his three sons had commuted by train toPrep from Pompton Plains. His message was consistent to his sons, his fellow alumni,and his colleagues on the board: Prep was worth the effort.

In 2000, Rich retired as president/CEO of Farrell Lines, an international shippingcompany, and he continues to be a constant presence at various Prep athletic events. Inmany ways he is a cornerstone of the institution. A devoted family man to his wifeMarilyn, the boys and their sister, he is an original, with all the makings of a true Preplegend.


Bernard M. Hartnett, ‘47, P’78In the second floor of Shalloe Hall, outside

the Office of the President, hangs a 1918 diplomafrom the “High School Department of SaintPeter’s College.” The recipient of that parchmentalmost nine decades earlier was Bernard MichaelHartnett, who could not possibly have imaginedthat 86 years later, his great-grandson EamonMarkey Hartnett, ‘08 would be the fourthgeneration of Hartnett men to attend Prep. Andnow, on this evening, his own son, Bernie, Jr., isreceiving the school’s highest honor. Takentogether, it tells the story of one of the trulylegendary Prep families.

Loyalty and service must be the tenets of theHartnett family, as Bernie has spent most of his

adult life serving both his alma maters and his community. A longtime member of thePrep’s President’s Council, most recently he provided valuable counsel during the CarpeDiem capital campaign.

A 1951 graduate of Saint Peter’s College, he later served as chairman of the College’sboard of trustees and board of regents. The recipient of a J.D. from Seton HallUniversity School of Law, he served as an adjunct professor there, teaching labor lawcourses from 1963 to 1975. Bernie has received Distinguished Alumnus awards fromboth schools, in addition to the St. Thomas Moore Medal from the Archdiocese ofNewark, and he has been named a Knight of St. Gregory for meritorious service to theChurch.

His hometown, county and state are also the beneficiaries of this exemplary life ofservice, notably in 2001, when he was chosen to serve as interim Hudson CountyExecutive for a 13-month period. Bernie has served as chairman of the Garden StateCancer Center; chairman of the Jersey City and the Hudson County Democraticcommittees; and chairman of the Friends of Channel 13. In addition, he has receivedappointments to various state boards and commissions from Governors Hughes, Cahill,Byrne, Kean and Florio. Recently, Bernie was named a charter member of the board ofvisitors of Seton Hall Law School.

Professionally, Bernie serves as counsel to Connell Foley, LLP, Jersey City. Previously,he was a partner with the firm of Schiller, Squeo & Hartnett, and was vice president,general counsel, and secretary of New Jersey Bell.

To see Bernie beam with pride, you only have to ask him about his family. He hasbeen married for 54 years to Eleanor Kelly of Jersey City, and they have four children(one deceased), seven grandchildren and a great-grandson. And Prep connectionsabound: The wife of son Ed, ‘78 is also the daughter, niece and granddaughter of Prepalumni; Bernie’s daughter and sister are married to Prep grads, and his brothers Ken andJude Michael are members of the Prep classes of ‘52 and ‘58, respectively.

Like the school itself, Bernie remains a Jersey City institution, and the community isall the better for it.


Francis J. Mertz, ‘54It has been said that some individuals were

born to enter their chosen profession. It isdifficult to find someone who has fit moreseamlessly into the field of higher education thanFrank Mertz.

As a student at Grand & Warren, Frankexcelled academically and was a formidabledebater, earning a full scholarship to Saint Peter’sCollege, where he would lead the GannonDebating Society. He then went on to earn a lawdegree from NYU.

In 1961, Frank began his teaching career byreturning to his alma mater to join the Prep facultyas an algebra and speech teacher. This wouldbegin a long history of service to Prep that wouldlater include serving as a two-term member of the board of trustees. In 1962, he returnedto Saint Peter’s College, where he helped guide the College through a period ofexpansion, holding leadership positions that included executive vice-president, assistantto the president, vice president of finance and development, and registrar.

Frank continued his professional leadership by becoming vice president and chieffinancial officer of New York Medical College. In 1981, he became president of theIndependent College Fund of New Jersey, which supports the state’s private colleges anduniversities. Soon thereafter, he concurrently became president of the Association ofIndependent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey.

In 1990, Frank became president of Fairleigh Dickinson University and in 1999 wasnamed president emeritus. He addressed many of the challenges that have greatlystrengthened the university, helping to increase its prominence as a regional center oflearning.

During his tenure in higher education, Frank participated in numerous licensure visitsand chaired ten Middle States Association accrediting teams. He also served on the NewJersey Council of Presidents, where he provided leadership for a number of itscommittees; was a director of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; and has served onthe boards of several corporations. Currently, Frank serves as chair of the New JerseyCommission on Higher Education and is a board member both of the New JerseyEducational Facilities Authority and the New Jersey Higher Education StudentAssistance Authority. He also serves as chair of the Cusack Care Center (St. Joseph’sHome for the Blind).

Frank holds honorary degrees from Felician College, Stevens Institute of Technology,Kyungnam University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the College of Saint Elizabeth.

In addition to his service as a Prep trustee, Frank, his wife, Gail, and their family havelong supported the school through an endowed scholarship. Given his extraordinaryintellect and his devotion to the Ignatian tradition of service to others, it is most fittingthat the Prep student body annually includes a “Mertz Scholar.”


ACKNOWLEDGMENTSPlease join us in thanking the following alumni who so generously

donated their services to this event:

Charles F.X. Poggi, ‘49 Joseph Villanella, ‘79President, Poggi Press President, CD Graphics(Printing of invitations) (Printing of tonight’s program)

Mary T. Massaro Joseph Massarelli, ‘80 Mark Wyville, ‘76 (Design of printed materials) (Audio/Visual Presentation) (Photography)

Tuxedos for this evening’s student ushers have been provided, with our gratitude, by Roseann & Dennis Vallone, P’99,’02, of Tuxedos by Rose, North Bergen, NJ.

A very special thanks to:Lou Vega, ‘95, Prep’s Director of Alumni Relations,

for coordinating the many aspects of tonight’s event.

Ginny Needham-Doyle, P’07, Prep’s Director of Communications, for her creative support of tonight’s event.

We also acknowledge the behind-the-scenes logistical support from the following:

Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J. Jim Horan, ‘ 70President Vice President for External Affairs

and External Affairs Department members Marge Baker, Nancy Cunningham, P’99,’01,Lani Franco, John Irvine, ‘83, Maryphyllis Locricchio, P’95,’96, and Liz Walsh.

Finally, a very special thanks to the Prep Alumni Board, who once again helped ensure the success of this event:

Lou Castelli, ‘66, PresidentJohn Feeney, ‘80, Vice President

Steve Hudik, ‘85, Secretary

Markis Abraham, ‘97Ray Aumack, ‘55John Bergin, ‘50Gene Boyle, ‘56

Joe Casazza, Jr., ‘95Jack Caulfield, ‘71

Lou Cella, ‘50Bob Colacurcio, ‘73

Tom Crowley, Jr., ‘65Len De Pinto, ‘76Sam DiFeo, ‘66

Ralph Diverio, ‘46Gabe Doria, ‘81Dave Finn, ‘82

John Gibney, Jr., ‘81Joe Giglio, ‘87

Dan Gronda, ‘90Joe Guarino, ‘86

Rich Hamilton, ‘90Jim Hollywood, ‘66Jim Hardiman, ‘47

Jerry Lally, ‘56

Ed Marley, ‘44Joe Massarelli, ‘80

Phil McGovern, Jr., ‘76Bob McNamara, ‘51

Jim Ryan, Jr., ‘66Jack Savage, ‘57

Paul Schaetzle, ‘71Charlie Sciarra, ‘87T.J. Sullivan, Jr., ‘93

Jim Supple, ‘65

SPONSORS AND DONORS

We are grateful for this evening’s sponsors, who have given so generously. Their donations will assist

in the creation of several scholarships honoring tonight’s “Legends.”

The Braddock Family (Joseph V. Braddock, ‘47) has helped to sponsor tonight’s event at the Arrupe’s Sentries level.

The following have helped to sponsor tonight’s event at the Sons and Daughters of St. Peter level:

The Bergin Family; Mary Jean Fell-Casler & Jeff Casler; Ken Kunzman, ‘54; Mr. & Mrs. James McQuade;

Barbara & Farley Moran; William Wojciechowski, ‘52

The following have sponsored a Jesuit or Special Guest:

Bill Bate, ‘51, P’84Kurt Borowsky

Joanne & Lou Castelli, ‘66, P’01Mary Beth & Jack Caulfield, ‘71, P’00,’03

Joan & Lou Cella, ‘50 Frank Clancey

Joe Cooney, ‘68Jack Curley, ‘66

Arthur Fabian, ‘59 Stephanie Fell & Phil McCombs

Dave Figur, ‘95Don Finn, ‘50

Tom Flaherty, ‘46 Don Hagan, ‘50

Catherine HalliganMaryann & Ken MacAlpine

Catherine MalloyFrank Mertz, ‘54

Lynn Marie Mertz Barbara & Farley Moran

Margaret & Joseph O’ConnorDave Quinn, ‘54 Ed Riedlinger, ‘67

Conrad Romanick, ‘52 Saint Peter’s CollegeRalph Sarkisian, ‘73

Beth & Jack Savage, ‘57 Paul Schaetzle, ‘71 Bob Schwarze, ‘54

Jerome St. JohnCharlie Waldron, ‘50

William Wojciechowski, ‘52

2003Mr. Ernest J. Baker, ‘38, P’67,’71; Mr. Kevin J. Collins, ‘57;

Mr. Sam C. DiFeo, ‘32, P’63,’66; Mr. Hubert J. O’Toole, ‘51; Mr. Charles F.X. Poggi, ‘49

2001 Vincent P. Butler, Jr., M.D., ‘45; Mr. John J. Casey III;

Mr. Joseph M. Cooney, ‘45, P’68,’76; Mr. Robert P. Howard, ‘41, P’67; Mr. Kenneth F. Kunzman, ‘54; Mr. Robert A. McGuinness, P’69,’73,’80;

Mr. Robert F. Mulvihill

1999 Fr. Raymond J. Balduf, S.J.; Fr. Francis J. Hamill, S.J., ‘46;

Coach Roy H. Leenig; Mr. Donald P. Moriarty, ‘48; Mr. Louis J. Parisi, ‘44, P’70; Mr. Joseph W. Sinnott, ‘17, P’57;

Mr. Thomas J. Sullivan, ‘53, P’93; Fr. Raymond York, S.J.

1997Joseph V. Braddock, Ph.D., ‘47; Coach William “Bill” Cochrane;

Ms. Catherine J. Collins; Msgr. William J. Linder, ‘54; Fr. Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., ‘62; Prep’s Nine Founding Jesuits

1995Fr. John E. Browning, S.J., ‘46; Coach Jerome T. “Jerry” Halligan;

Fr. Francis J. Shalloe, S.J.

1993Fr. Charles F.X. Dolan, S.J., ‘32; Fr. Earle L. Markey, S.J., ‘49;

Mr. Clement C. O’Sullivan, ‘23; Mr. Charles J. Rooney, P’67,’69

PREVIOUS “LEGENDS”

HONOREES

“PRIDE & GLORY”

It is our Pride and our Glory,old in song and in story;

and we cherish your nameand we love your fair famefor the days of long ago.

And we your sons will be loyalto St. Peter’s so royal.

May your banners still guide us wherever we go!

It is a story of gladness,with no shadow of sadness;our years spent with you,

St. Peter’s so true,and you hold our hearts’ love yet.

And through the years we will treasurewith a joy beyond measure,

the gifts you have given.We shall never forget.

Legends of Prep VII Program

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