Jack and Marge Geraghty '60

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Growing up in the Bronx, Jack Geraghty ’60 loved basketball and dreamed of going to Fordham Prep . “The other schools in the area were average,” he recalls. “I wanted the best. And I got it at Fordham Prep .” And, what 14-year-old aspiring ballplayer wouldn’t get a kick out of competing for their school in a college gym. Sixty years later Jack still gets together with his Ram classmates and counts them among his closest friends.

Jack credits the academic rigor of his Jesuit education and the spiritual guidance he received at the Prep for setting him on a course to a fulfilling and interesting life. After graduation, Jack attended the U.S. Naval Academy, served in Vietnam and went on to a successful career in finance. “The values taught at the Prep translate to all aspects of life,” says Jack. “We have done well. We want to give so others can do well also; give students that head start.”

Thankful for the foundational role Fordham Prep played in his life, Jack and his wife Marge, loyal supporters of The Annual Fund and Scholarships, are also members of the The Shea-McDonough Legacy Society . They have included the Prep in their estate planning through a charitable IRA rollover and a will bequest intention. “My wife and I both hold the same opinion — if someone helped you get started, give back to support them,” he says, “Think about who has helped you. Wouldn’t you like to give someone a chance? We set up our gift so that Prep students will have the same opportunities we did.”

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Kevin & Connie Hackett '67

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When Kevin ’67 and Connie Hackett sat down with their lawyer to discuss estate-planning matters with regards to their IRA account, their main goal was to figure out what would be the most tax-efficient way to benefit their heirs, while at the same time benefitting the charitable causes they support.

“My lawyer said I should consider naming a non-profit as one of mine and Connie’s IRA beneficiaries,” said Hackett. The answer surprised the Hacketts. “When I asked why, my lawyer told me that when you name a non-profit as an IRA beneficiary, the money comes right off the top, lowering the tax burden on our other beneficiaries. I was totally unaware this was possible, but the fact that Connie and I can support Fordham Prep and still benefit our family is a win-win scenario.”

Hackett, who was a long-time member of the Fordham Prep Board of Trustees and inducted into the Fordham Prep Hall of Honor, now wants his fellow Rams to take advantage of the tax break and support Fordham Prep . “The tax rate for IRA beneficiaries is fairly substantial and would place an unfair burden on them. Naming a non-profit as a beneficiary is not a difficult thing to do and my hope is that people realize that they can make a difference through a simple action,” says Hackett.

“Doing something like this has been on my mind for a while, as I recently realized I am not immortal. In my experience, the wise thing to do is to talk to your advisors or lawyer to figure out a way to provide for the Prep .”

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Ken Singleton '79

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Men for Others: A Continued Mission

Ken Singleton ’79 says he first fully came alive at Fordham Prep. “Everyone there wants you to succeed—then and now!” he says. “But at the same time, I learned to look outside of myself. Our real job—the real goal—is to be a man for others.”

After graduation, Ken attended College of the Holy Cross, received his law degree from Fordham University and had a successful career in commercial real estate. In retirement, Ken turned his attention as COO to putting Graymoor in Garrison, New York on a strong financial footing, and never lost sight of how important his early experiences at Fordham Prep were. Ken is carrying out the Prep’s mission, which has become his personal philosophy, by making a gift from his estate. “It’s really all about values,” remarks Ken.

“Everyone at the Prep is supportive of each other—the students, the administration, the staff—and I want to support that. I want to be a part of continuing that mission.”

Ken urges others to join him in supporting Fordham’s ability to maintain this distinctive culture. “I encourage my fellow Fordham Prep brothers to join me in supporting the school that gave us so much. The Prep served us well, and now needs our support for the future. This is our opportunity to help provide the same experience for future students.”

Gifts of all types and sizes combine to maximize our ability to support our mission to educate young men for a life of service and success. You can designate Fordham Prep as the full or partial beneficiary of your will, retirement, brokerage, or bank account. Naming the Prep as the beneficiary, and using other assets not subject to income tax to make gifts to your heirs, is a savvy way to support the ones you love without affecting your current cash flow, lifestyle, or your family’s security.

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Phyllis Corsbie Hyacinthe, Parent ’77, ’79, ’80, Grandparent ’99, ’08, ’08, ’15

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“We wanted an educational experience for our sons that was grounded in a mission dedicated to faith, scholarship, fraternity and service to our community. Fordham Prep provided that.”

Pyhyllis Corsbie Hyacinthe and her late husband, Hector Hyacinthe considered faith, hope and charity the most important values to instill in their family. “Those values guided how we raised our children and how we lived our lives,” said Phyllis. Years later, as her three sons and four grandsons graduated from the Prep, Phyllis still recognizes those same values. “In addition to annual donations to Fordham Prep, as a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society, I have pledged an estate planned gift that will continue our family’s focus on supporting young men of color in need of tuition assistance,” she said.

You too can create a family legacy of education. Simply name Fordham Prep in your will or trust or as a beneficiary of life insurance, retirement, or other estate plans, and designate that your gift be used to fund a scholarship. Your legacy will benefit countless generations of Prep students.

Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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Desi Heathwood '59

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Desi Heathwood '59 knows that every gift counts: gifts of every type and size combine to maximize the impact on the long-term success of Fordham Prep. While his time at Columbia, the Navy and Wharton shaped much of his life, it was at Fordham Prep where it all began. As it was for so many others, the Prep ignited a curiosity for a spiritual and intellectual life that continues for Desi to this day. "My Jesuit education expanded my educational opportunities; it lit a flame, so if I can help others have that same experience, I want to," he says. Desi encourages his fellow classmates to join him, and the many other members of the Prep brotherhood, who have established scholarships and provide tuition assistance to the well-deserving young men of Fordham Prep. "The contributions of many supporters work in unison to carry the Prep's mission forward and there's no gift minimum to join the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society," says Desi.

Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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Joe Moglia '67

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Joe Moglia '67, the former CEO & Chairman, TD Ameritrade, Former Head Football Coach, Coastal Carolina University, Chair of Athletics & Executive Advisor to the President, Coastal Carolina and Chairman, Fundamental Global and Capital Wealth Advisors, achieved great success over the span of his two careers in business and football.

There are many things that Joe is proud of, including his time at Rose Hill which inspired and motivated him: "My time at Fordham Prep was the most significant to me. I took pride then as I do now in the Prep's academic reputation and competitive athletic teams, with teachers and coaches who believe in what the Prep stands for, and know that their contributions are impactful."

This is high praise from the Wall Street CEO and award-winning collegiate football coach, who wants to see that culture of excellence continue for generations to come. He considers his gifts to the Prep as a way to pay forward the generosity and opportunities he received as a student, and encourages his fellow alumni to honor their time at the Prep by also considering a Legacy gift.

"While Fordham Prep is rich in tradition, it needs the financial support of its alumni and parents who are able to make it possible for this excellent academic institution to thrive and to share all it has to offer," says Joe.

For information on how your charitable estate planning can create a legacy at Fordham Prep, contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep. org, or visit preplegacy.org. If you have already included the Prep in your estate plans, please let us know so we can honor your generosity as the newest member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and ensure that your gift is used as you intend.

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Dan Ottaviano '69

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Dan Ottaviano '69 supports Fordham Prep with a scholarship gift so that students can have the same transformative experience he did.

Dan's reasons for giving are personal—his gift created a scholarship named after his parents who took on an economic burden for the sake of his education—but he knows it's important to share his intentions. "My mind was made up a long time ago," says Dan. "A scholarship for students who are in the same position I was in seemed like the right way to give back."

He encourages others to share their experiences, and their blessings: "You have to determine what's right for you. What better way of saying thank you than to support the school that gave us so much."

Like Dan, your reasons for giving are personal, but that doesn't mean they need to be kept private. So whether you have already included the Prep in your estate plans, or are just getting started, we invite you to talk with us. Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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Tony Mazza '63

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Tony Mazza '63 graduated from Fordham Prep and went on to get an undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fordham University—and now he's giving back.

Tony credits the Prep for molding him into the man he is today, a hardworking, successful, and philanthropic commercial real estate investor who lives a very active lifestyle. "A Jesuit education is so important for young men," he says, "It's critically vital to the structure of a young man's life."

Tony is showing what's important to him by including Fordham Prep in his will. His legacy gift will establish an endowed scholarship so that future generations of young men will benefit from the transformative experience of the Jesuit education the Prep offers its students.

With just a few sentences in your will naming Fordham Prep as a beneficiary, you too can support the Jesuit values that have helped shape so many successful graduates. It's an easy way to make a remarkable impact.

Show what's important to you by creating a legacy through your own planned gift. Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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A Foundation for Success

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The Lanza family knows what a profound impact Fordham Prep has on the lives of its students, and wants to see that continue.

Gene Lanza ’78 and his brothers, Joseph ’80, and Michael ’84, are proud Prep alumni, following in their father’s footsteps. “My dad was a smart kid,” says Gene. “He was the youngest of three and his parents were immigrants. They knew of Fordham, but it was expensive.” Knowing it would be a great experience for Gene Sr., his aunt paid the difference to allow him to go.

Years later, Gene Sr. ’55 knew he wanted to include the Prep in his estate plans as a way to give other students like him the same opportunity. When he became ill he proposed making another gift, wanting to see his legacy at work, before he passed away in 2021. He created the Lanza Family Scholarship with the combination of an outright gift and an endowment in his will. The scholarship will benefit a young man from the Bronx who needs financial assistance in order to attend the Prep.

“The Prep changed the trajectory of dad’s life—and subsequently our lives,” says Gene. “It’s more than just a school. It was a tremendous foundation in terms of academics, focus, and a passion for learning, and we formed lifelong bonds.”

Explore the ways you can create a legacy at Fordham Prep. Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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The Murray Family: Peter 1963, Vinnie 1998, Mike 2001

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It’s About Time: Honoring the past with a gift for the future.

The long maroon line of Prep alumni extends back nearly 100 years for the Murray family.

Vinnie Murray’s grandfather graduated in 1927, his Uncle Peter in 1963, Vinnie in 1998 with his brother Mike following in 2001, and Peter’s grandson is a member of the Class of 2026. Over nearly a century, Fordham Prep played a different but equally important role in each of their lives.

To help make sure a Prep education is possible and affordable for generations to come, Vinnie has decided to plan ahead to make a gift in support of his alma mater. He thinks the endowment is the future of the Prep, and that legacy gifts are a key element to building the endowment. “Continuing to grow the endowment is the most critical thing we can do,” he says. “If more people were involved, the endowment would grow, and we could close the gap and lower tuition—which is important to our students’ families who want a top Jesuit education for their children, but struggle to afford it.”

Vinnie understands the value of planned gifts to the financial future of the school. “The mission of the Prep speaks to me, and I want to help ensure its tradition of excellence continues,” he says, noting that he’s proud to be a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society. Vinnie encourages Rams of all ages to find a way to give back to a school that means so much to them. “It’s an opportunity to support today’s generation of students,” he says, noting that not only is making a planned gift easy, but it’s good fiscal planning. He’s right: it’s never too soon to make a plan for your financial life and support the things most important to you.

Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society and the gift that best meets your charitable, family and financial goals at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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Vince DonVito ’82

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Vince DonVito ’82 says he’s part of a great class by chance, but part of a great school by choice. “From its excellent reputation to incredible history, the Prep continues to excel in every area and remains a sought-after choice for parents who value a Jesuit mission-driven education for their sons — steeped in faith, scholarship and service.”

For many of us, it’s taken for granted that Fordham Prep will always be there but it has to be supported to grow and thrive,” says Vince. And he is doing his part through a planned gift which includes a provision in a life insurance policy and a real estate bequest that will support future generations of Rams. “I was inspired by the gifts I saw my classmates making,” says Vince. “It was my goal to give larger somehow, and this is how I can do that.”

Vince hopes his story will help foster a sense of giving to others, not out of obligation, but in keeping with the motto of the Prep instilled in all its students to be “men for others”. He thinks every Ram should reflect on their own years at the Prep and consider ways to ensure that future generations of students have the same opportunities. Legacy gifts and bequests cost you nothing during your lifetime but have a tremendous impact on the financial sustainability of the Prep and our ability to educate today’s students in the Jesuit tradition. Learn more about becoming a member of the Shea-McDonough Legacy Society at preplegacy.org or contact Suzanne Dowden, Director, Engagement & Development at 718-367-7500, ext. 274 or dowdens@fordhamprep.org dowdens@fordhamprep.org.

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