Planned Giving at Xavier

Bill Grubb '62

Xavier afforded Bill Grubb '62 endless opportunities. Now his endowment will afford future students that same advantage.

William F.X. Grubb '62 and his wife Eileen share a great love of Xavier. Bill and Eileen have established a trust to endow a scholarship in memory of Bill's parents, The Eileen Frances Donnelly Grubb and Patrolman William Martin Grubb P'62 '73 '77 Memorial Scholarship. Their bequest will provide financial assistance to students in need, assuring a lasting legacy.

As Eileen notes, "Xavier helped Bill develop into a loving, kind and compassionate human being. I am very grateful for that. When we visited the school for Bill's 50th Reunion in 2012, we had a chance to meet some of the students and it was evident that Xavier's Mission remains as strong today as it did in Bill's time. We want to help ensure that mission continues and would strongly encourage others to make a commitment to join the Larkin Legacy Society so Xavier can produce men for others for years to come."

Ralph Jozefowicz, M.D. '71

Ralph Jozefowicz, M.D. '71 spent four memorable years on 16th Street, where he learned great discipline-a trait that has served him well ever since.

As a Professor of Neurology and Medicine and Associate Chair for Education in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester, he has dedicated his life to educating the next generation of neurologists.

Ralph is just as passionate about music as he is about medicine. He is a member of his parish choir in Rochester, and fondly remembers honing his love of music at Xavier, playing the tuba in the Regimental Band and the organ at school-wide Masses.

As a tribute to all that Xavier provided him, Ralph has arranged for a generous gift in his estate plans to benefit the music program at Xavier, "Xavier prepared me for the rigors of medicine and instilled in me a love of teaching and of music and a strengthening of my faith. I want to help sustain that for the next generation."

Ken Poggenburg, Jr., Ph.D. '52

Ken Poggenburg, Jr., Ph.D. '52 knew when he received his first chemistry set at the age of six that he wanted to spend his life with chemistry.

Throughout grammar school, he pursued his passion for the elements, and by the time he arrived on 16th Street as a freshman, he had even grasped some rudimentary calculus.

A member of the swim team his freshman year as well as the X-Squad, Xavier allowed Ken to blossom. The challenging academics, the spiritual retreats, and the life-long friendships prepared him well for his career and beyond.

Ken's career in nuclear medicine and research spanned forty years-including a Naval ROTC scholarship at the College of the Holy Cross, where he majored in chemistry, active duty as an engineering officer with the U.S. Navy, and a doctorate in chemistry from UC Berkeley-until he eventually retired in 1998.

Ken's passion for and dedication to Jesuit education has spanned the decades as well. The recipient of an academic scholarship while at Xavier, Ken has consistently and generously contributed to the Xavier Annual Fund every year since the early 1980s and recently notified the Advancement Office that he and his wife, Sheila, had named Xavier as a percentage beneficiary of their Charitable Remainder Unitrust several years ago. "I always felt that Xavier made an effort to support students from all financial backgrounds. Sheila and I are happy to be able to support Xavier students on an annual basis and to keep Xavier in our plans for the future."

Al Melzl '47

Inspired by the now-permanent IRA Charitable Rollover provision, Al reached out to Xavier to inquire about making a gift directly from his IRA. In addition to his usual support of the Annual Fund, he wanted to make a special gift to support financial aid for students and realized that the rollover option provided the perfect way to do that. "I have always loved Xavier," Melzl notes, "and making a gift directly from my IRA allows me to save on taxes now as a required distribution, as well as later with any federal estate tax that might apply."

The process was easy, and his generous contribution had an immediate impact on students.

E. Peter Corcoran '46

For decades, E. Peter Corcoran '46 gave generously to his alma mater, quietly becoming one of Xavier's top 10 lifetime donors. His understated philanthropy made a lasting impact on 16th Street. Upon his passing in July 2016, Peter left behind a remarkable unrestricted bequest to Xavier that is one of the largest in the school's history. But why?

Peter always credited Xavier for playing a transformational role in his upbringing. Raised by his mother after losing his father at a young age, he came to Xavier in September 1942 and later attended Yale University. After his college graduation, he embarked upon a long, illustrious business career. His Xavier JROTC training inspired him to serve as a lieutenant in air intelligence in the U.S. Air Force, after which he returned to his career in finance. He eventually retired as a general partner at Lazard Frères & Co., a private investment banking firm. With his wife Faith, whom he married in 1955, Peter raised six children and enjoyed nine grandchildren. He left behind a legacy of determination, love of family, and loyalty to Xavier.

Irma and Daniel Rodriguez '58

Irma and Daniel Rodriguez '58 feel incredibly blessed. The Brooklyn couple has been married for over 40 years, and Dan's alma mater remains very much a part of their life. When the time came to re-visit their estate plan, both believed strongly that helping to sustain Xavier High School was a priority.

"I appreciate everything we have today and attribute it to the education Danny received at Xavier," Irma explained. "It's something I treasure, and I hope that this kind of institution will be around for the future." Dan is an architect and co-founder of the design and engineering company Montoya-Rodriguez PC Architects, located right here in Chelsea. He reconnected with Xavier 15 years ago, when he volunteered his expertise for renovations and improvements to 16th Street facilities. That led to two terms on the Board of Trustees and the chairmanship of the Plant Committee, where he laid the groundwork for the Kane Building's state-of-the-art science labs and upgrades to classrooms in the Lynch Building.

But the Rodriguez's relationship with Xavier isn't all work. Friendships Dan formed with classmates on 16th Street during the 1950s continue to this day. "We keep pretty close," said Dan, describing his relationship with 25 fellow alums who meet on a regular basis. The couple attends many Xavier events, such as the annual Celebrate Xavier Gala, held for the past two years at the Tribeca Rooftop. It's a way to support the institution they both love while spending time with lifelong friends. "We've formed a family and a social life," Irma said. "Xavier has a way of bonding people together forever."

By including Xavier in their estate plan, the Rodriguezes are now part of the Larkin Legacy Society, the planned giving society named after the institution's founder, Rev. John Larkin, S.J. Their generosity and foresight enable Xavier to meet many of the school's annual financial responsibilities and ensure that a high quality Jesuit education remains accessible to deserving students, regardless of their financial circumstances. That's important to Dan, who is not only grateful for the education he received, but also has a great appreciation for what he sees happening in Xavier classrooms today. The intellectual rigor and high level of discourse he witnessed at events such as Trustee Shadow Day made a deep impression on him. "I like the exchange between faculty and students," he said. "It struck me as being very advanced. The school was fine when I was there, but it's even better now and doing very well." The architect hopes more Sons of Xavier consider the various options and benefits of planned giving. "I'd like more people to be aware of it and know that there's another way to support the institution," Dan said. "We've had estate plans in place before, but in our major restructuring we wanted to make sure that once everyone was taken of, part of what we have returns to Xavier." "It was important to us that whatever we could give back would go to Xavier," Irma added. "It couldn't go to a better cause."

Bob Meissner '71 and Dan McCarthy '71

Bob Meissner '71 (center) and Dan McCarthy '71 rediscovered their friendship between their 35th and 40th Reunions. Despite the passage of decades, it was as though they were 16 years old again. They reminisced about the boys they were and relished the men they had become. After Xavier, Bob went on to the U.S. Naval Academy and a 20-year career with the Navy, rising to the rank of Commander. He worked in corporate-government relations for several years and opened his own firm, which represents clients before Congress with interests in the defense, advanced technology and national security fields. Bob noted that Xavier not only prepared him for his naval career, but for life well beyond. "My years at Xavier remain the four most important years of my education and personal development. My time on 16th Street provided me with invaluable life skills." When the Class of '71 gathered on 16th Street in May 2011, however, Dan McCarthy was not with Bob. His death a few months earlier was a shock to his classmates, colleagues and to Xavier. But since then, Ronnie McCarthy (left), Bob Meissner and his wife, Denise (right), have become even closer friends. Inspired by Bob's great affection for Xavier and grateful for the education it provided him, Bob and Denise have also decided to remember Xavier, providing for a bequest of a defined percentage of their estate in their respective wills. It is their way of helping to ensure that the Xavier legacy continues.

Dan McCarthy's memory is alive and well on 16th Street. In his lifetime, he contributed to the Annual Fund for over twenty-five years and was a frequent speaker at Career Day. Ronnie has made sure that Dan's commitment to Xavier continues. The daughter of a Xavier alum (James J. Wright '32, as was Dan's father Thomas R. McCarthy '42, and his brothers, Robert '82 and Thomas '84), Ronnie has long admired and appreciated the dedication of the Sons of Xavier to their alma mater. In fact, she and Dan met when she was a student at Dominican Academy, introduced by another DA student who was dating a classmate of Dan's. Since Dan's passing in 2011, Ronnie has supported two Xavier students with an annual scholarship, the Daniel T. McCarthy, Esq. '71 Memorial Scholarship, in addition to a gift to the Annual Fund. She has also made arrangements to ensure that the McCarthy scholarship continues by including provisions for its establishment in her estate plans. "Dan always spoke of the important foundation Xavier provided for his further education in college and law school and even in his career in law enforcement as an assistant District Attorney. The young men I have met who have benefited from Dan's scholarship the past several years are proof that the Catholic, values-based education that benefited my father and husband is still alive and thriving at Xavier. I contribute to ensure that a Xavier education continues to be affordable to students."

Martin J. Sheehy, M.D. '58

For 35 years and counting - since the inception of the Annual Fund - Martin J. Sheehy, M.D. '58 has given a gift to Xavier. A scholarship recipient hailing from Ridgewood, Queens, Dr. Sheehy notes, "My mother loved the idea of me in a uniform. It was a great honor and I was touched that Xavier thought me worthy of a scholarship. I feel very fondly about Xavier - even though I only graduated as a private in the Regiment. I learned a lot of lessons from the discipline I received there." Dr. Sheehy, who went on to a successful career in medicine, recently informed the Advancement Office that he provided for Xavier in his future plans some time ago. "Life was good to me," he continued, "in no small part due to my training at Xavier. We learned at Xavier to give back for the rewards that we have in life and I want to see that Xavier continues in its mission."

Peter Schwimer, LCSW '63 P'94

Peter Schwimer, LCSW '63 P'94 recently revised his estate plans for the second time in a decade to once again include a bequest to Xavier. Serving as Class Chair for the Class of 1963, including during their record-breaking 50th Reunion, he has consistently made a gift to Xavier every year for more than two decades. "My life began at Xavier," Mr. Schwimer noted. "I met some fantastic people and attained some great ideas. I am very grateful to Xavier and happy to do my part."

A long-time phonathon volunteer who not only calls his own Class of '63 but other classes in need of calling as well, Mr. Schwimer continued, "I firmly believe that my contributions to Xavier need to go beyond just time and talent, to include our treasure. My wife, Pat [P'94], and I are in a good place financially and it is important to us to give back and support the institutions that have made us who we are. Certainly Xavier is foremost among them for me."

Brian Sullivan '70

After graduating from Xavier, Brian Sullivan '70 continued his Jesuit education at Marquette University, majoring in anthropology and then earning an M.B.A. in financial accounting at the University of Wisconsin. What followed was a successful career in finance for various firms across the country and a commitment to contributing to the Xavier Annual Fund every year that has lasted well over a decade. "More than college," Mr. Sullivan noted, "Xavier provided the personal and academic discipline I needed to succeed in life. It not only provided me a solid, formative education, but more importantly, all that I needed to do well for life. After taking care of my family, making a bequest to Xavier is very important for me and my hope is that my gift will one day provide financial aid for students whose families do not have the means to pay tuition. I like knowing that I will help future Sons of Xavier benefit from a Jesuit education."

Joanne Maughan

Joanne Maughan and her husband, Gerry, believe strongly in Catholic education. The daughter of the late John J. Heintz '46, Joanne is committed to remembering her father by contributing every year to Xavier in his memory. Recently she and Gerry - himself a Brooklyn Prep alum, Class of 1970, also informed Xavier that they have made arrangements in their estate for a gift to Xavier.

"My father always told his five daughters that Xavier made him who he was," Mrs. Maughan noted. "He had a great devotion to his faith that was rooted in his Xavier formation." Following service in the United States Navy and 20 years as an officer in the NYPD, Mr. Heintz went on to earn his college degree at the age of 46 - graduating the same year as his oldest daughter - and then pursued a second, successful career as a registered nurse. "My father always said that Xavier put him on the right path in life; it instilled in him the ambition to pursue two successful careers. Gerry and I want to do our part to ensure that the Xavier tradition of excellence continues."

Mary Comer

Mary Comer came to know Xavier through her husband, Bob Comer, of the Class of 1963.

While meeting later on in life at a work conference, Mary was immediately impressed with Bob's affection for his alma mater. He spoke of it often, and always with great fondness. Upon visiting Xavier during a trip to New York and taking a tour of the school, Mary came to understand why Bob was so effusive about his experience on 16th Street.

In coming to know Xavier better through news from the school, as well as through her husband's connection to his classmates and other Sons of Xavier, Mary was moved to make a planned gift to Xavier. Mary's Catholic faith is central to her life, and she sees the Gospel call lived out at Xavier through the JROTC program, the religion curriculum, and the many Christian service projects in which our community engages. In joining the Larkin Legacy Society, she will leave behind a legacy of generosity and an example for Sons of Xavier to follow.