Keeping the memory alivE!
A number of Roselle Catholic alumni have taken the initiative to create memorial scholarships to perpetuate the memory of a classmate or family member and honor and commemorate their legacy by assuring a Roselle Catholic education for the next generation of RC students.
Here are the RC Angels MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS YOU CAN SUPPORT:
GENERAL FUND
For those wishing to make a donation to honor a loved one who has passed.
JOSEPH REIDY '70
In 1970, attending classes remotely was stuff of science fiction. Yet, after Joe was paralyzed while diving into a swimming pool during the summer between junior and senior year, Roselle Catholic found a way to help the bed-ridden senior attend classes from his hospital bed.
Joe was a “virtual student” before there was such a thing, attending each of his classes every day during his senior year. With the help of the local telephone company, the school’s administration installed a specially designed and dedicated telephone line and speaker system in one of the classrooms. While this doesn’t sound particularly sophisticated by current standards, such technology was basically unheard of in 1969, and Joe’s set-up represented a major undertaking by everyone involved.
With the help of his family, friends and teachers, Joe successfully finished his high school curriculum and graduated with his class, in person, in June of 1970. He then went off to college, and had a distinguished career, for thirty years, with the Internal Revenue Service.
Throughout his life, Joe remained loyal to RC, ever thankful for the opportunity the school gave him to graduate. He often attended games and other events at the school, always proud to be a Lion. He was an inspiration to everyone who met him, right up to the day of his passing, February 23, 2011, at the age of 58.
Joe’s classmates and other friends have honored his memory with a successful scholarship drive. With leadership from Joe’s brother Ed, Mike Walsh, ’70 and Joe Higgins, ’72, the scholarship fund raised over $40,000 in its first year to fund four $2,500 four-year scholarships.
While Joe has passed on, the Joseph A. Reidy Scholars will keep his spirit alive and well at RC!
Joe was a “virtual student” before there was such a thing, attending each of his classes every day during his senior year. With the help of the local telephone company, the school’s administration installed a specially designed and dedicated telephone line and speaker system in one of the classrooms. While this doesn’t sound particularly sophisticated by current standards, such technology was basically unheard of in 1969, and Joe’s set-up represented a major undertaking by everyone involved.
With the help of his family, friends and teachers, Joe successfully finished his high school curriculum and graduated with his class, in person, in June of 1970. He then went off to college, and had a distinguished career, for thirty years, with the Internal Revenue Service.
Throughout his life, Joe remained loyal to RC, ever thankful for the opportunity the school gave him to graduate. He often attended games and other events at the school, always proud to be a Lion. He was an inspiration to everyone who met him, right up to the day of his passing, February 23, 2011, at the age of 58.
Joe’s classmates and other friends have honored his memory with a successful scholarship drive. With leadership from Joe’s brother Ed, Mike Walsh, ’70 and Joe Higgins, ’72, the scholarship fund raised over $40,000 in its first year to fund four $2,500 four-year scholarships.
While Joe has passed on, the Joseph A. Reidy Scholars will keep his spirit alive and well at RC!
JENNIFER LYNCH ’89
In February 2013, the Roselle Catholic community suffered the loss of someone who embodied what it means to be a Lion, Jennifer "Jenny" Lynch of the Class of 1989.
Jenny Lynch of Roselle graduated from RC in 1989. During her time at RC she participated in basketball, softball, tennis, and track. Jenny is one of four siblings who are Lions, and she has been followed by countless cousins.
The Jennifer Lynch Scholarship was established in 2013 to help support a member of the RC community who is an active participant.
The scholarship is awarded to students that personify all of the qualities the RC community loved in Jenny — talented athletes, hard working students, and dependable friends. Most of all they are good people who love life and treasure their time as RC students.
Jenny Lynch of Roselle graduated from RC in 1989. During her time at RC she participated in basketball, softball, tennis, and track. Jenny is one of four siblings who are Lions, and she has been followed by countless cousins.
The Jennifer Lynch Scholarship was established in 2013 to help support a member of the RC community who is an active participant.
The scholarship is awarded to students that personify all of the qualities the RC community loved in Jenny — talented athletes, hard working students, and dependable friends. Most of all they are good people who love life and treasure their time as RC students.
ELS SWEENEY
Richard (Dick) Sweeney, from the Roselle Catholic Class of 1966, is one of the trio that created the Keurig single cup brewing system, one of the truly great stories in the history of American business.
Dick is the first to tell you that his wife Elisabeth – known to everyone as “Els” – deserves as much credit for Keurig’s success as he does. Her unqualified support of what would have appeared to many spouses as “pie-in-the-sky” fantasy freed Dick to throw his heart and soul (and just about everything else) into the development of the now-famous brewer.
On September 17, 2015, Els passed away after years of courageously dealing with cancer. Right until the end, she maintained her positive outlook on life, and faced her situation with incredible grace - not a hint of self-pity, and grateful for the many years she had enjoyed with Dick and their daughter.
Dick now wishes to honor Els and to help RC at the same time, by matching contributions to the Elisabeth Sweeney Memorial Scholarship Fund up to $25,000.
Dick is the first to tell you that his wife Elisabeth – known to everyone as “Els” – deserves as much credit for Keurig’s success as he does. Her unqualified support of what would have appeared to many spouses as “pie-in-the-sky” fantasy freed Dick to throw his heart and soul (and just about everything else) into the development of the now-famous brewer.
On September 17, 2015, Els passed away after years of courageously dealing with cancer. Right until the end, she maintained her positive outlook on life, and faced her situation with incredible grace - not a hint of self-pity, and grateful for the many years she had enjoyed with Dick and their daughter.
Dick now wishes to honor Els and to help RC at the same time, by matching contributions to the Elisabeth Sweeney Memorial Scholarship Fund up to $25,000.
PAUL DECARLO HEALTHPRO SCHOLARSHIP
In fall of 2014, the first group of Roselle Catholic Seniors were able to learn in a brand new learning lab, thanks to the generosity of Paul DeCarlo and his family.
Unfortunately, in March of 2013 the RC community lost one of the class of 1984’s shining stars after a battle with cancer. His mother Elaine and sister Pamela wanted his legacy to be of benefit to others and since Paul loved RC, it made sense for RC students to be those beneficiaries.
The HealthPro Lab enables students to gain experience and confidence in performing a variety of nursing technologies. They practice using actual hospital equipment and are given instruction and guidance on a number of nursing skills. This scholarship will allow RC students to continue learning important nursing concepts and will provide necessary upgrades and enhancements to the program and lab.
Unfortunately, in March of 2013 the RC community lost one of the class of 1984’s shining stars after a battle with cancer. His mother Elaine and sister Pamela wanted his legacy to be of benefit to others and since Paul loved RC, it made sense for RC students to be those beneficiaries.
The HealthPro Lab enables students to gain experience and confidence in performing a variety of nursing technologies. They practice using actual hospital equipment and are given instruction and guidance on a number of nursing skills. This scholarship will allow RC students to continue learning important nursing concepts and will provide necessary upgrades and enhancements to the program and lab.
THE EDWARD JOSEPH SISK SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Daughter Erin shared, “They say age is just a number, despite only having 60 short years, Dad accomplished more than most do in 90 years. He joined the Elizabeth Fire Department and quickly climbed the ranks, but never with sacrificing any aspect of his family life. He stood by us all in any way he could. We are better people for having Eddie Sisk in our lives, but we are even better for having been loved by him.”
One alum, having attended Ed's wake and funeral mass, told me that it resembled the memorial for a Head of State. Knowing Ed, I think he’d be embarrassed by that. Yet, for us he left behind and the wide orbit he touched, it’s a tribute we know he deserves.
In his memory, Ed’s family has established The Edward Joseph Sisk Scholarship Fund at RC.
One alum, having attended Ed's wake and funeral mass, told me that it resembled the memorial for a Head of State. Knowing Ed, I think he’d be embarrassed by that. Yet, for us he left behind and the wide orbit he touched, it’s a tribute we know he deserves.
In his memory, Ed’s family has established The Edward Joseph Sisk Scholarship Fund at RC.
WARNEY FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Warney Family Scholarship fund has been created in honor of Denise and James, who were the loving parents of RC basketball star Jameel Warney. Denise and James both passed away in recent years, James in January 2018 and Denise in April 2020.
Both Denise and James were wonderful, hard-working, and devoted parents.
James was a loving father and avid basketball player and fan, which may have led to Jameel’s dominance on the court. Denise was the guiding light for Jameel, both before, during, and after his time at Roselle Catholic. She was the true definition of a parent who was willing to make any sacrifice for her children. Denise once commented that RC was where her son wanted and needed to be and that there was nothing she wouldn’t do to make sure he could be at RC.
Jameel took full advantage of the opportunities at RC, graduating not only as of the school’s all-time leading scorer but also as a Peer Leader and shining star in the RC Community. He went on to Stony Brook University, where he graduated as the greatest player in school history. His professional career continues overseas today after playing in the NBA and the G-League.
This scholarship has been created to help ensure other students from Union County, especially Plainfield, where Jameel grew up, have the support they need to attend Roselle Catholic and access the same opportunities that helped Jameel.
Both Denise and James were wonderful, hard-working, and devoted parents.
James was a loving father and avid basketball player and fan, which may have led to Jameel’s dominance on the court. Denise was the guiding light for Jameel, both before, during, and after his time at Roselle Catholic. She was the true definition of a parent who was willing to make any sacrifice for her children. Denise once commented that RC was where her son wanted and needed to be and that there was nothing she wouldn’t do to make sure he could be at RC.
Jameel took full advantage of the opportunities at RC, graduating not only as of the school’s all-time leading scorer but also as a Peer Leader and shining star in the RC Community. He went on to Stony Brook University, where he graduated as the greatest player in school history. His professional career continues overseas today after playing in the NBA and the G-League.
This scholarship has been created to help ensure other students from Union County, especially Plainfield, where Jameel grew up, have the support they need to attend Roselle Catholic and access the same opportunities that helped Jameel.
THOMAS J. SACKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
In May 2020 Roselle Catholic High School lost long-time boys basketball assistant and associate head coach Tommy Sacks. Coach Tommy was beloved by the student-athletes that played for him and by members of the community. His infectious energy and loving personality were traits that will always be remembered by his family, friends and those who played for him.
Tom was a lifelong Union County resident, who attended Abraham Clark High in Roselle. He coached youth and high school sports for over 20 years. Coaching and helping kids reach their full potential both on and off the court were some of the things Coach Tom was the most passionate about. The players from RC would often remark about how much they loved Coach Tommy because of how much he loved them and cared about them as people.
Coach Tommy will forever be missed on the courts in our community, but most of all in the Lion's Den.
Tom was a lifelong Union County resident, who attended Abraham Clark High in Roselle. He coached youth and high school sports for over 20 years. Coaching and helping kids reach their full potential both on and off the court were some of the things Coach Tom was the most passionate about. The players from RC would often remark about how much they loved Coach Tommy because of how much he loved them and cared about them as people.
Coach Tommy will forever be missed on the courts in our community, but most of all in the Lion's Den.
GEORGE BRISCOE SCHOLARSHIP
George Briscoe passed away in October 2019 after a long battle with cancer. He was the proud father of RC star basketball player Isaiah Briscoe and was also a community leader in both Union and Essex County. A Hall of Fame member at Stockton University, George was also a youth basketball coach and trainer in his spare time, spending hours every week working with kids including many of the underprivileged youth of Newark, NJ.
GB, as he was known around RC, also worked as a volunteer coach for the RC boys basketball program after Isaiah's graduation and trained various RC girls basketball players. George would often say that he had found a home at RC and was often seen at games for many different RC sports.
George was a great father, teacher and coach to Isaiah both before, during and after his time at RC. Mentoring him to an All-American career, full scholarship to the University of Kentucky and eventually a professional career including with the NBA's Orlando Magic. George's impact on Isaiah may have been summarized best by this quote from Kentucky head coach John Calipari : "George Briscoe was one of the great fathers of any player that I’ve coached here. He loved his son, yet he let me coach him. I loved him and I’m going to miss him."
A sentiment shared by all those who knew George Briscoe, he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and children he coached.
GB, as he was known around RC, also worked as a volunteer coach for the RC boys basketball program after Isaiah's graduation and trained various RC girls basketball players. George would often say that he had found a home at RC and was often seen at games for many different RC sports.
George was a great father, teacher and coach to Isaiah both before, during and after his time at RC. Mentoring him to an All-American career, full scholarship to the University of Kentucky and eventually a professional career including with the NBA's Orlando Magic. George's impact on Isaiah may have been summarized best by this quote from Kentucky head coach John Calipari : "George Briscoe was one of the great fathers of any player that I’ve coached here. He loved his son, yet he let me coach him. I loved him and I’m going to miss him."
A sentiment shared by all those who knew George Briscoe, he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and children he coached.
TOM COYNE '72 SCHOLARSHIP
A Union native, Tom Coyne, Class of 1972, remembers his years at Roselle Catholic for the outstanding education very fondly, the values instilled and the friendships formed.
Following college, Tom pursued his love of music and began working at Dick Charles Recording, where he watched records being mastered on lathe and soon began cutting his own after hours. Tom's career as a mastering engineer began at Frankford-Wayne Mastering Studios, NYC, then moved to the Hit Factory, NYC, before joining Sterling Sound, NYC. In 1998, he became a partner at Sterling Sound following a restructuring of the company.
Having earned a reputation as one of the most influential and respected engineers in the music industry, Tom was awarded ten GRAMMYs for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Engineered Album for his work with Adele, Taylor Swift, Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, and Beck. He also won two Latin GRAMMYs for Record of the Year with Marc Anthony and Best Engineered Album with Juanes.
Tom is probably best known for his wonderful sense of humor, even in the face of adversity. He liked nothing more than to spend time with his family and good friends, laughing and enjoying a great meal.
On April 12, 2017, Tom passed away after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
In Tom's memory, his family created the Tom Coyne Scholarship in 2021. The scholarship is to help support members of the RC community who have a passion for fine arts.
Following college, Tom pursued his love of music and began working at Dick Charles Recording, where he watched records being mastered on lathe and soon began cutting his own after hours. Tom's career as a mastering engineer began at Frankford-Wayne Mastering Studios, NYC, then moved to the Hit Factory, NYC, before joining Sterling Sound, NYC. In 1998, he became a partner at Sterling Sound following a restructuring of the company.
Having earned a reputation as one of the most influential and respected engineers in the music industry, Tom was awarded ten GRAMMYs for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Engineered Album for his work with Adele, Taylor Swift, Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, and Beck. He also won two Latin GRAMMYs for Record of the Year with Marc Anthony and Best Engineered Album with Juanes.
Tom is probably best known for his wonderful sense of humor, even in the face of adversity. He liked nothing more than to spend time with his family and good friends, laughing and enjoying a great meal.
On April 12, 2017, Tom passed away after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
In Tom's memory, his family created the Tom Coyne Scholarship in 2021. The scholarship is to help support members of the RC community who have a passion for fine arts.
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE:
CASH / CHECK
If preferred, send any checks to:
Roselle Catholic High School
Attn: Office of Development
350 Raritan Road
Roselle, NJ 07203
STOCKS & SECURITIES
Donating stocks and securities can also allow you to continue the Roselle Catholic tradition. Please contact Gerry O'Connor, Director of Development, gerryo@rosellecatholic.org, or call (908) 245-2350 x1170 for further information.
CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS
Please remember that many companies will match their employees' gifts to educational and other non-profits on a 1:1 basis. Donors can go to their Human Resources Department and request a matching gift form to send along with a donation to the Pride of The Lions Fund to Roselle Catholic.