Camden Catholic High School
The Tradition Continues
NOVEMBER 4, 2023
Hall of Fame Mission Statement
The Camden Catholic High School Hall of Fame was founded to promote pride in Camden Catholic High School and to honor alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have made outstanding accomplishments in their communities and their lives since they have been associated with the school. The Hall of Fame will help preserve and strengthen the school motto since 1887, “Faith, Honor, and Loyalty”. In addition, these recognitions are for the purpose of honoring and perpetuating the individuals who have excelled and provide our students with examples of what to dream and aspire to be.
Dear Alumni and Friends of Camden Catholic,
It is an honor to gather with you tonight as we celebrate the 15th class of inductees to the CCHS Hall of Fame! Our leadership team is grateful for the many contributions this extremely well deserving hall of fame class has made to our school. The accomplishments of tonight's inductees’ span a diverse array of scholarly, professional, and athletic endeavors. The common theme demonstrated by each member of the hall of fame class is an unparalleled desire to strive for excellence to bring glory to God. The lives of our inductees have brought witness to the power of Christ’s gospel message. Through their humble pursuits of excellence they have inspired others and worked to build the Kingdom of God on earth.
The timeless core values of honor, faith, loyalty, and mercy that were instilled in tonight’s inductees during their time at CCHS continue to be the hallmarks of the Camden Catholic educational experience. In collaboration with our dedicated faculty, current students are engaged in problem based learning methods that allow them to think critically, explore, and innovate each school day. Thank you to tonight’s inductees for being tremendous role models for the current and future generations of CCHS students. The example you have set empowers today’s students to strive toward their dreams.
Our leadership team would like to thank the group of dedicated individuals whose selfless efforts have made tonight’s hall of fame celebration possible. Thank you to the Hall of Fame Committee for their vital work identifying and selecting tonight’s inductees. We are very grateful for the generous gifts of time and expertise that you have shared with us
Congratulations to tonight’s class of Hall of Famers! It is a great privilege to celebrate with such a distinguished group of leaders and achievers!
Go Irish!
Rory Sweeney, President
Dear Friends,
Once again it is my privilege to welcome an incredibly gifted group of alumni of Camden Catholic High School into the Camden Catholic Hall of Fame. The tradition continues as it began in 2006 when a small group of dedicated Camden Catholic alumni gathered with Mary Whipkey to launch the very first Camden Catholic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Some 17 years later we gather once again to induct a new group of distinguished individuals and a championship athletic team into this illustrious fraternity.
The Hall of Fame committee has the distinct honor and important responsibility of carefully considering scores of nominations to determine who is best suited to wear the title “Camden Catholic Hall of Famer.” We are privileged to perform this task especially when one considers the history of this great educational institution founded in 1887, first in Camden, and now in Cherry Hill, and the over 16,000 graduates along with the many faculty, staff and friends who have accomplished so much in their lives since they have been associated with Camden Catholic. Keep in mind we also rely on you, our fellow alumni, faculty and former faculty, teammates, coaches and friends, to participate in the process by nominating these incredible individuals for their achievements during and postgraduation, and by recognizing their adherence to the Camden Catholic virtues of Honor, Faith and Loyalty in their lives.
Each year the committee finds itself extraordinarily impressed with all of the accomplishments of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Our 2023 inductees are no exception, although we do see a common thread through several of this year’s group: service to CCHS and beyond. A Catholic educational institution does not exist, or thrive, for over 135 years without the selfless sacrifice and loyalty of its members, and this is clear at Camden Catholic. You will hear their stories of accomplishment and service as we induct these special individuals and the 1974-75 Wrestling team this evening.
I would like to thank my fellow Hall of Fame committee members for their time and diligence in the selection process, as well as the Camden Catholic administration and staff for their support, planning and execution of the event. Our dedicated committee, the administration and staff are yet another example of the sacrifice and loyalty of the CCHS community. Importantly, I would also like to congratulate the 2022 Hall of Fame Scholarship recipients: Anyah Griffin ‘23, Michael Wright ‘25, Trish Escarilla ‘24 and Alexandra Bergamesco ‘23. These students were each awarded a $1,000 tuition scholarship for the 22-23 academic year thanks to the generosity of our Hall of Fame attendees in prior years.
Congratulations to our 2023 inductees! Your lives are an inspiration to all CCHS alumni, faculty, staff and friends, and most importantly, to the current students of CCHS.
Jack Wixted Chairperson, Camden Catholic Hall of Fame Committee
Fifteenth
Annual Camden Catholic High School Hall of Fame
Congratulations to our 2023 inductees:
EMERALD - ACADEMICS/ARTS
Warren W. Faulk, Esq. '63
Latanya Jenkins '94 posthumous
Joseph A. Kuchler, MD '66
N'Namdee Nelson '98
Joseph J. Trout Ph.D. '77
Green & white - Athletics
Joseph Burke '60
Eric Cangelosi '03
Nick Cangelosi '03
Kelly Killion '04
Jonathan George '02
1974-75 Wrestling Team
1887 Special Category
James Lumley ‘86
Slideshow & Prelude
Program
Pianist: Matteo Johnson ‘24
Welcome Heather Crisci Principal
Invocation
Rev. Msgr. Andrew Martin President Emeritus
Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipient Trish Escarrilla ‘24
Presentation of Athletic Inductees Mr. Tim Bieg ’97
Presentation of the Teams
Musical Interlude
Hall of Fame Committee
Hall of Fame Inductee 2009
Students of The Arts at CCHS
Presentation of the Arts and Rev. Msgr. Andrew Martin
Academic Inductees President Emeritus
Presentation of Special Inductees Hall of Fame Inductee 2011
Closing Remarks Rory Sweeney President
Alma Mater
Lyrics printed in back of program (please stand)
Reception immediately following in the Tom Kenney Gymnasium. The Hall of Fame plaques will be on display on the gymnasium side of the school.
Congratulations 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
Thank you for being a role model for our current and future students. You make Camden Catholic proud.
CCHS BOARDOF TRUSTEES
Emerald Hall of Fame Inductees
Arts & Academics
Alumni, teachers or friends of Camden Catholic High School who have distinguished themselves in the field of the arts or by outstanding achievements through scholarship, service, and leadership so as to reflect honor and distinction.
Green & White Hall of Fame Inductees
Athletics
Coaches or alumni of Camden Catholic High School who have established distinctive records of achievement in athletics, making them deserving of recognition.
CCHS Hall of Fame Emerald Inductee
Honoring Arts & Academics
WARREN FAULK
Class of 1963
Warren Faulk belongs to the small group of alumni that had the experience of Camden Catholic High School in two different locations. In 1959, after graduating from Saint Peter’s Grade School in Merchantville, young Warren travelled into the city of Camden to attend Camden Catholic, then located at Seventh and Federal streets, adjacent to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He and no one else could foresee the tragic fire on the night of Easter Sunday 1960, that would destroy the historic building that housed many of the classrooms he had sat in during his first semester of high school. However, the spirit of Camden Catholic High School rose from the ashes and flourished in its new location in Cherry Hill. Warren’s own words describe it best: “It was the unshakeable faith, dedication and sacrifices of the Sisters of Mercy that guided us through the devastating fire in our freshman year and the two years of split sessions that followed. All of us in the Class of ’63, the first graduating class in Cherry Hill, owe so much to these indomitable women.” Our reverence and love of the Sisters of Mercy sustains us still today even in their physical absence.
Warren was an excellent student, academically gifted and a member of the Student Council in his senior year. As an alumnus he continued to serve Camden Catholic. In 1985, then principal, Father Martin, fondly remembers Warren’s assistance and advice as the first chairperson of the Camden Catholic Development Council.
It was no surprise to the faculty that Warren was awarded the Principal’s Scholarship to LaSalle College where he matriculated following graduation from Camden Catholic in 1963. He majored in Political Science and enrolled in the Army ROTC program.
Again to no one ’ s surprise, Warren graduated cum laude earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1967. At his graduation from LaSalle, Warren received the James J. Finnegan and the Political Science Association awards for excellence in his major. At graduation he also was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army.
Following his college graduation, Warren attended Villanova Law School on an academic scholarship. In his second year he was selected for the staff of the Villanova Law Review, and served as its Research Editor in his last year at Villanova. He went on to graduate in the top five of his class and receive his Juris Doctor in 1970. Also, on that occasion he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, the law school national honor society.
During his first two summers at Villanova, Warren served clerkships with the Brown & Connery law firm in Camden. There he came under the tutelage of two outstanding trial lawyers and Camden Catholic graduates, Thomas F. Connery, Jr. and Joseph H. Rodriguez.
Following his graduation from Villanova, Warren spent two years in the Army, where he served as defense counsel and prosecutor at Fort Sill, OK. At the end of his military service in 197 2 he returned to Brown & Connery, where he was a civil litigator until his appointment as Camden County Prosecutor in 2008.
Warren’s memorable career moments include serving as Camden County Prosecutor for six years; serving as Camden County Bar Association President; serving on the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners for seven years; being admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; and receiving the “Professional Lawyer of the Year” award from the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law.
To list all of Warren’s honors, memberships in professional associations, his career achievements, and his contributions to the field of law in New Jersey would take another page or two. His son sums it up concisely, “My dad is a life long learner and a leader in the community….he has ‘walked the talk’ in the true spirit of CCHS. He is just an all-around kind, generous, and humble guy who is incredibly loyal to Camden Catholic High School.”
Camden Catholic High School agrees and is proud to induct Warren Faulk into its Hall of Fame!
CCHS Hall of Fame Emerald Inductee
Honoring Arts & Academics
LATANYA JENKINS
Class of 1994
Latanya Jenkins was born on January 9, 1976, in Philadelphia, PA. But when she was only six years old, her mother, she, and her younger brother moved to the city of Camden across the river in New Jersey. Not long after, the family moved to Pennsauken where Latanya and her brother spent most of their formative years. Sadly, and way too soon, Latanya passed away at the age of 45 from cancer on April 13, 2021, at Samaritan Hospice in Voorhees.
It was from Pennsauken that Latanya came to Camden Catholic High School as a confident freshman in September of 1990. In a YouTube interview from the archives of Purdue University (which by the way is worth viewing), she proudly spoke of her wonderful student years here at Camden Catholic. She mentioned how she took advantage of every opportunity her high school provided for her. To say that she was an actively involved student is truly an understatement. “Tanny” was a member of the National Honor Society, the French National Honor Society, the Mock Trial Team, the Editor of the Shamrock Newspaper, a member of Student Government, President of the Biology Club, Vice-President of the French Club and of the Health Careers Club, a member of the Black Culture Club, the Drama club, and the Respect for Life Club. This desire to be involved and be a part of so much of life continued throughout her entire life
After graduating from Camden Catholic in 1994, Latanya earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and English from Franklin and Marshall College in 1998. She went on to graduate from Drexel University and in 2006 she earned a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. She had worked as an academic/reference librarian at Temple University since 2012 and was the liaison for Temple’s Africology and African American department. One of her colleagues remarked, “Latanya was a friendly and supportive colleague who touched many
lives. She supported researchers, taught students how to perform college-level research, and mentored them as well She was devoted to the Temple community and was loved and admired by the library patrons with whom she worked.”
Before joining Temple University, Latanya had worked at Purdue University where she was an inaugural diversity fellow and visiting assistant professor; after coming back east, she worked at Bowie State University and Morgan State University both in Maryland, as a reference librarian
Latanya is an award-winning co-author of the book, Government Information Essentials, which was awarded the Margaret T. Lane & Virginia F. Saunders Memorial Research Award in 2019. She was an International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions fellow for the World Library and Information Congress, and a past Association of Research Libraries diversity scholar. She was part of the first inaugural meeting of the Association of African American librarians, Archivists and Curators She was also an ally and member of Temple University & University Press Diversity & Inclusion committee.
Her younger brother, Adama, remembers Latanya as having been a wonderful big sister. “No matter what,” he says, “she was always there to support me and I always considered her to be my hero”. He also recalls how she loved to travel, visiting such places as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, England, France, Ireland, and the Philippines “A lot of those places, she was going there to give lectures,” he said.
Latanya was a prolific conference presenter, always eager to travel, to share her expertise, and to meet fellow librarians. In 2017, She was a panelist at the 9th International Conference on Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries in Limerick, Ireland. And most recently in 2019 she was the featured speaker at the 8th Rizal Library International Conference in Quezon City, Philippines.
Latanya left all of us a legacy of academics and kindness which embody the principles of C amden Catholic High School. We are honored to induct, posthumously, Latanya Jenkins into the Camden Catholic Hall of Fame.
HALL OF FAME SCHOLARSHIP
Honor one of these inductees with a donation!
Donations can be made by check or online at www camdencatholic org or call Kate Madden Bieg at 856-663-2247, ext. 134
CCHS Hall of Fame Emerald Inductee
Honoring Arts & Academics
JOSEPH KUCHLER
Class of 1966
A graduate of Saint Lawrence Grammar School in Lindenwold, NJ, Joseph Kuchler began his high school years at the new Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill in September of 1962. He was an academically gifted student who took advantage of all the opportunities that Camden Catholic provided him during his four years of high school. He has always been grateful for the “handful of years” he spent there. His words, “I cherish the special memories from my coming-of-age-time at CCHS. The handful of years I spent there were extremely influential in my development, leading to the formation of many future milestones throughout my life. I met my wife, Patricia Kelly, who was also a member of the class of 1966, and we have enjoyed a successful marriage for 52 years. The learning experiences of Camden Catholic introduced me to the various fields of science, and that exposure led to decisions to pursue a future in medicine.”
In 1966, Joseph graduated 3rd in a class of 450 and was the first boy among 225 others. Camden Catholic awarded Joseph with a full academic scholarship to Saint Joseph’s University. The time well spent at Camden Catholic prepared him for his biology major at Saint Joe’s, and he eventually graduated in 1970 cum laude with his Bachelor of Science degree. His successful academic accomplishments at Saint Joe’s University secured his acceptance at Jefferson Medical College. During his studies in medical school, especially during his clinical years, he was inspired by the amazing doctors that he had the privilege to train with. This inspiration d irected his life toward a career in surgery specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1974 and, shortly after completing residencies, (Resident in Surgery, the Cooper Hospital, 1974-1978 and Resident in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Louisville, KY, 1978-
9180) he achieved board certification in both general and cardiothoracic surgery and was invited to join a surgical practice with The Surgical Group of SJ.
Dr. Kuchler is licensed in three states, New jersey, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. After many years of studies, degrees, and residencies, he began his official employment in 1980. During these many years, he has treated patients as the Attending Surgeon, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Lourdes Medical Center, the Attending Surgeon, Virtua health System, Marlton, NJ, the Attending Surgeon, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Pomona, NJ, and the Attending Surgeon, Cooper Health Systems, Camden, NJ Dr Kuchler also taught medical students as a Clinical Associate Professor, UMDNJSOM. After a brief period of retirement from January of 2021 to August of 2021, he continues his work of saving patients’ lives as the Attending Surgeon, Cooper Health Systems where he is currently employed. He is a member of numerous medical and surgical societies and associations and has published extensively as an author and a co-author in a number of scholarly medical journals.
Dr. Kuchler, not surprisingly, is well respected by his peers, medical professionals, and his patients. He received the 2010 Cooper University Hospital Top Doctors Award for Cardiothoracic Surgery. He was given the title “Angel Hands” by his many patients because of the lives he saves through the gift of his skilled hands
As dedicated as he is to his professional career, Dr Kuchler, along with his wife, Pat, are very involved in the community and in the life of his parish church, Saint Andrew the Apostle in Gibbsboro, NJ. Together they have supported many parish and diocesan initiatives as dedicated stewards. Dr. Kuchler also volunteered as a school board member for Our Lady of Mt Carmel Regional School in Berlin, NJ Their pastor, Msgr Louis Marucci, said; “I am struck by the gratitude the Kuchlers feel for their blessings. It’s extraordinary. Not only that, their humility stands out. I am in awe of Dr. Kuchler for taking on the significant leadership role as the parish representative on the school board while he has such a demanding job He has a kindness, a compassion, that he brings to that role ”
As Dr Kuchler’s son so proudly proclaims, “I believe my father truly belongs in the Camden Catholic Hall of Fame…because he has saved many patients’ lives as a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. ”
Camden Catholic agrees and is honored to induct Dr. Joseph Kuchler into its Hall of Fame.
CCHS Hall of Fame Emerald Inductee
Honoring Arts & Academics
N’NAMDEE NELSON
Class of 1998
A lifelong resident of Camden, N’Namdee Nelson came to Camden Catholic High School in the fall of 1994 from Transfiguration Grammar School. His mother taught for more than thirty years in the Camden City School District and his father owned retail businesses in the city. He attributes much of his success to his parents who provided him not only the best education but also the encouragement to understand the power of being a positive leader.
N’Namdee’s level of maturity was already above average as a successful student at Camden Catholic. He was involved in Student Government, governor of his class, and a member of the Mock Trial Team; he was a four-year member of the football team and a South Jersey First team defensive player of the year his senior year on a winning-season team that advanced to the State Playoffs. Msgr. Martin, principal of Camden Catholic at that time, remembers well N’Namdee’s contributions to the school as a valued member of the Student Ambassadors Society. His leadership qualities were clearly obvious even then. During his high school years and actively involved in the life of Camden Catholic, he also served as a YMCA childcare counselor at the age of fifteen, a job he held throughout college. He did not know then that it was the beginning of a career dedicated to helping youth.
After his high school graduation, N’Namdee majored in business and media and communication studies at Ursinus, earning his BA in 2002. Throughout his college years he was an honor student. Also, during that time, he started a group called the “Men’s Group”. This, he says, was an opportunity to bring like-minded individuals together to learn from one another and to help uplift each other. After college graduation, N’Namdee became
the Camden City Childcare Director for one year. He then moved on to a position in a residential program called Legacy Treatment Services (formerly known as The Children’s Home) where he currently serves as Adolescent Residential Services Director. He oversees four residential programs and fifty-two staff members In 2005, N’Namdee and four likeminded friends started Phenomenal Entertainment, an organization that used entertainment to engage young students at schools throughout Camden. In 2008, this organization grew into Rising Leaders Global in order to provide a wider breadth of mentorship. Rising Leader Global is a community-based agency in Camden that provides a wide spectrum of services to youth and young adults, including mentoring, employment training and placement, life skills, tutoring, financial literacy, motivational speaking, cultural enrichment, recreational activities, and a host of community service projects. N’Namdee himself says “Our focus has been children who want to better themselves, but also those with more challenging behavioral issues, kids that may be neglected, that have entered gangs or are dealing with issues at home. We’ve helped clean up streets, hosted community cook-outs and started a program to feed those in need.” The program works with youth as young as six to help create the building blocks for their future
As he navigated this truly Christian “other centered” life, in 2009 he managed to start working on his Masters in Public Administration at Rutgers in Newark which he earned in 2011.
He presently sits on the Camden City School Advisory board as the Vice president where he has served for the past five years.
The South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA) is South Jersey’s largest and most dynamic organization of charitable young professionals Representing the best and the brightest working men and women (ages 21-45), the SJYPA unites talented individuals who are invested in making a lasting, positive impact on our community. This association presents an award each year called the Halo Award. In 2015 N’Namdee received that award in recognition of his “lengthy history of social work in the south Jersey community
One of his fellow Camden Catholic alumni and current colleague says “it is difficult to put into words the impact that N’Namdee has had as a leader in the Camden City community. He is a man who leads through action….love, compassion, strength, advocacy, these are the words that describes how he mentors and leads.”
Camden Catholic High School is proud to induct N’Namdee Nelson, Class of 1998 into its Hall of Fame
CCHS Hall of Fame Emerald Inductee Honoring Arts & Academics
JOSEPH JUDE TROUT
Class of 1977
As a freshman coming to Camden Catholic High School in September of 1973 from Saint Rose Grammar School in Haddon Heights, Joseph Jude Trout carried with him all the excitement of a young man looking forward to the new and exciting formative years of high school. He did not know at that time, however, the positive impact his life and career would have upon the thousands of students’ lives he would touch as a gifted PhD college professor, loved and respected by his university students.
As a student at Camden Catholic Joseph excelled academically, lettered all four years in track and field, and three years in cross country. He also found the time to become an Eagle Scout from the Boys Scouts of America and won an award from the American Legion. His own words recount his appreciation for the sacrifice his family made to send him to this high school. “Camden Catholic was a wonderful experience for me. Despite the social turbulence of the 1970’s, I received an excellent academic education, rooted in the Catholicism that I love so dearly. My Catholic Faith has been the base on which my life has been built. Special thanks to the nuns and priests at that time. I also loved my time on the Cross Country and Track teams, and the friends I made there with whom I am still in contact”
After graduating from Camden Catholic in 1977, Joseph decided to join the United States Navy. He served for six years, first on the destroyer USS Hawkins and then as Assistant Petty Officer in charge of the Electrical Power and Distribution Shop aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, the first completed supercarrier and the lead ship of her class. Joe was awarded the Letter of Commendation from the Admiral 6th Fleet and a Letter of Commendation from the Captain. He was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class. Joe considers his service in the Navy as one of his proudest accomplishments.
After the Navy, Joe worked briefly as an electrician, and then enrolled at Stockton College on the GI Bill, for which he continues to be extremely grateful. He worked many jobs during his college years, from soldering power supplies for computers on an assembly line to hotel night desk clerk, and many in between, to finance what the GI Bill did not cover. After three years, he graduated from Stockton in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics.
Joe began his work career as a lab technician at Millersville University, and shortly thereafter enrolled in the Physics PhD program at Drexel University, earning his MS in Physics in 1994 and his PhD in Physics in 1997. After completing his Ph.D., Joe worked in industry where he became an expert in computer modeling, large computer systems, and storage devices. He worked with university scientists and industry research groups in the medical, automotive, and financial fields During his twenty-five years working in industry, he also was an adjunct professor teaching undergraduate courses at Drexel University, the University of the Sciences, Lehigh University, and Camden County Community College. In 2008 Joe became a full-time member of the teaching faculty at Drexel and remained there until 2010 when he transferred to his alma mater, Stockton University, where he is currently a tenured Professor of Physics and Chairperson of the Applied Physics Program.
Joe’s proud professional moments include earning tenure and Full Professorship in Physics, leading a team of students to rebuild the 16-inch telescope and then refurbish and reopen the Harold E Taylor Observatory at Stockton University, installing a stateof-the-art 17” PLANEWAVE telescope in that observatory, co-authoring an introductory Physics textbook, University Physics, published by the OpenStax Organization, and co-authoring with his wife (Dr. Rosemary Trout) an article for the American Chemical Society He has authored articles published in professional journals and has made presentations at a number of meetings of the American Physical Society.
Dr. Trout is a member of the American Physical Society (APS), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), and the American Meteorological Society (AMS). In 2008 he was given the Stanley J. Gwiazda Professorship Award, presented by the Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies, Drexel University.
Professor Trout’s personal life is equally impressive, he has completed over 25 marathons, 15 triathlons, and many half marathons, and 5 and 10K road races He helps prepare meals for Saint John’s Hospice in Philadelphia; he is active with the Newman Center at Stockton, lectors at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Philadelphia, and has volunteered time as a service technician for Saint Francis Xavier Grade School and gardener for the Saint Francis Xavier Church
Camden Catholic High School is proud to induct Dr Joseph Jude Trout into its Hall of Fame.
CCHS Hall of Fame Green & White Inductee Honoring
Athletics
JOE BURKE
Class of 1960
When Joe Burke is inducted into the Green & White Hall of Fame for Athletics, the 1960 graduate won’t be going in alone.
“This is as much about her as it is about me,” Burke said about his wife Carol Anne (Colavito), who he met in September of 1956 during freshman year in Sister Leonardo’s homeroom.
“Carol was a CCHS cheerleader all four years of high school and cheered at every one of the basketball games in which I played,” Burke recalled fondly. “Although Carol shared a warm spot in my heart from freshman year on, we didn't start dating until our senior year. Carol and I were married on June 20, 1964, the week after my graduation from Rider University.”
“We enjoyed 56-plus years of blissful happiness together, raised three happily married children and have seven children. God called my dear Carol to Heaven in 2021.”
Burke, class of 1960, came to CCHS from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade.
“I would like to thank all the wonderful nuns, priests, lay teachers and coaches who made our CCHS experience so meaningful and memorable,” says Burke, now a parishioner at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, Georgia. “We were blessed and there is no doubt that the amazing spiritual, academic, athletic, and social environment CCHS created for us was instrumental in our success in our later God-centered lives.”
“If everyone could have graduated from the Camden Catholic we know the world would be a better place.”
Burke cites his gratefulness for close lifelong friends, Monsignor Bob McDermott and Charlie Reed.
“Camden Catholic is such a special place and I have so many fond memories of those four key foundational years of my life there,” Burke said. “Speaking for Carol as well, we are truly grateful that several of our CCHS classmates and teammates became lifelong friends to this day.”
Burke recalled his most memorable moment athletically at CCHS was when he scored 34 points against undefeated Camden High School his senior year
“I was not the most talented basketball player of the day, but I loved competing and enjoyed playing against some of New Jersey’s finest athletes at the time,” he said. “I also played baseball all four years at CCHS in the catcher position, batting over .300 each season and hitting many home runs. ”
At CCHS, Burke played for coach Fran Mulroy and was teammates with point guard, the late Monsignor Bob McDermott, Pete Wish, Bob Bantivoglio, Reggie Beckett, and Bob Maerten.
Burke’s CCHS baseball coach was Hank Deighan, teammates included pitcher Jim Galmin, second baseman Phil Gentlesk and pitcher Bob Talorowski
Burke, who received an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy, chose Rider and played baseball four years (1961-1964), under NCAA Hall of Fame College Coach Tom Petroff, and basketball for his first two years (1961-1962) when he was a teammate and roommate of Nick Valvano, the older brother of the late Jimmy Valvano, the former head basketball coach at North Carolina State University and NCAA champions.
“I also played basketball with Digger Phelps, the longtime head basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame and my Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity brother,” said Burke, who was elected to the New Jersey All-State Parochial A first team as a senior at CCHS
“Although my basketball and baseball life ended upon our marriage, my post athletic activities have been fulfilling as well,” Burke said “My life has included an abundance of faith, family, friends, golf, aerobic exercise, and success in the world of business ”
In July of 2022, Burke ran his 42nd and final Peachtree Road Race, a 10K race down in Atlanta. He has been an active member of Dunwoody Country Club in his hometown of Dunwoody, Georgia, for the last 42 years
“During the last seven years, I have won five Crystal Club Championship Trophies and one Senior Club Championship trophy,” said Burke, who enjoyed a 30-year career with the IBM Company.
“I retired from IBM in 1995 and the next day formed my own international marketing firm here in Atlanta, GA, Burke Marketgrowth International Ltd , ” he said “Our firm’s clients were the governments of European and Asian countries, who hired us to attract U.S. companies to establish operations in their countries and create high-skilled jobs.
One of our clients was “Invest Northern Ireland”, the government of Northern Ireland, who we represented during ‘The Troubles’ there for ten years beginning in 1995,” Burke said.
For the past year, Burke has been writing his memoir entitled Heaven Sent: A Love Story which began at Camden Catholic
“It is primarily the story of Carol and our life together,” Burke said. “I am dedicating the book to our seven grandchildren and beyond so they may truly understand who the God-centered person their ‘Mom-Mom’ was and the life lessons she left behind that they can apply to their own lives.”
And now they all can read his Hall of Fame plaque and understand what a great athlete Burke was at CCHS and beyond.
CCHS Hall of Fame Green & White Inductee Honoring Athletics
ERIC CANGELOSI & NICK CANGELOSI
Class of 2003
The Twins. Eric and Nick. Inseparable and incomparable. Unstoppable and unbeatable.
Fittingly, the Cangelosi twins, who led the Irish to 2001 and 2003 basketball state titles, are inducted into the Green & White Hall of Fame for Athletics separately, but together.
The Cangelosi-led 2001 and 2003 basketball teams were both inducted and now Eric and Nick are enshrined as individuals. Anyone who ever saw them play together wearing the green and white will never forget them. Especially those who saw them play their first time at CCHS.
Eric recalled when former Eagles linebacker John Bunting, who was then the head football coach at the University of North Carolina, saw them play against Camden High and Dajuan Wagner at little Pyne Point Middle School since The High’s gym was being refurbished. “John Bunning was actually there and it was funny as he was sitting behind Bob Kane (who heard him) and like the first or second play someone's driving and I dove for the ball to steal it, the ball went up to half court, Nick went running, dove and nailed the guy, like we typically did, and grabbed the ball,” Eric recalled about Bunting, who was recruiting Nick to play quarterback for the Tar Heels. “Bunting was like, ‘if my football players had half the tenacity of these guys, we'd be a better team.’
“Bunting was telling the people in the crowd ‘I can't imagine playing against these two, they have more tenacity than the college football players in our division.’ “
With Jim Crawford as their coach, Eric and Nick led the Irish to their first state title in
almost six decades as sophomores and then completed their unparalled careers with another state championship as seniors
“It all started with Coach Crawford, that was his kind of lunch pail mentality, and what he instilled in us was to show up every day and no matter if we're No 1 in South Jersey, No. 1 in the state, you're as good as your next game, ” Nick said. “And, so we just showed up every day and everybody worked so hard for that jersey, that logo, for Camden Catholic and everything that we stand for with faith and loyalty and hard work and commitment and it really showed. “It was an awesome time.”
Eric, who works at NJM Insurance where he is a commercial claims manager, went on to start four years in basketball at Philadelphia Sciences, where he scored over 1,200 points and grabbed over 400 rebounds “It was definitely different,” said Eric about not playing on the same team with Nick. “I played on a great team at Sciences and had a great time with Billy Kurtz and Howie Lanier, a lot of local players there, which was awesome. But, yeah, not having someone with a similar tenacity again, I think we kind of fed off each other.”
Nick, a Senior Vice-president with The Michael's Organization, was a two-year starter at quarterback for Georgetown University. “The tough part early on was you played together for so long and, people used to always think that we had some type of mental telepathy or whatever, we'd share thoughts because, we'd always know what the other one was doing,” Nick said. “But like anything you play with somebody for a decade-plus, you really understand their tendencies and we really were really able to work off one another.
“It was fun because we both shared the same love for basketball, the same love for winning. We were equally as committed to the team and to the school, and to winning.”
“To move on and play with other teammates and not having Eric,” Nick says, “everybody wants to win, but to have somebody who is so similar to you in terms of the way you act and t hink and care, and sharing experiences with family was amazing.”
“We actually were able to create our own identity after high school, which was both on the court and in social life,” Nick said. So that, that was an interesting experience.”
Nick is married to Erin (Kuhn, a former star soccer player at Washington Township High School) and they have a daughter, Brooke, 9, and son Brayden, 7, and live in Moorestown. Eric and his wife, Erin, from the famous Kane family, live next to St Rose of Lima with their son Kyle, 6, and daughter, Molly, 2 ½.
“Kyle is in kindergarten at St Rose, which is hilarious because when I went back, the gym hasn't changed,” Eric said with a laugh. “It is where it all started. It's nostalgic going back to St. Rose with him.”
The Twins provided CCHS a lifetime of nostalgia.
As sophomores, the Irish finished 26-4, a school record at the time for most wins in a season. The Irish which lost its opener to Shawnee and two games against Camden with future NBA lottery pick Dajuan Wagner, stunned undefeated Christian Brothers Academy,
which was ranked No 1 in the state, for the South Jersey championship after trailing 2512 at half time.
Then, the historic victory over Seton Hall delivered Camden Catholic its first state title since 1942 and avenged a loss to them in the 1996 State championship game. The Irish ended their magical season with a loss to powerful St. Anthony’s in the Tournament of Champions.
As seniors in 2003, the Irish went 28-2 for most wins in school history, best winning percentage (.933) and most consecutive wins (28). The Irish finished No. 1 in South Jersey and No. 2 in the state.
The Twins, who were named first team All-South Jersey as seniors, started four years as the Irish went 98-15 during that spectacular span.
They expect their grandmother, Shirley Joslin, to attend the Hall of Fame banquet along with many others who feel like relatives. “It was like we were playing for a big family,” Nick recalled about playing in front of the Irish fans “It was like playing for a bunch of uncles and extended family. We had some great, great teammates throughout these runs and great coaching.”
Eric and Nick still play together in summer and winter basketball leagues. “Nick tells the story, ‘let's just get exercise’,” Eric recalled about a game at Turner’s Gym, “he’d say ‘don't get hurt and yada, yada.’ Then, the second the whistle blows, we just can't turn it off. Afterwards, the other team said how physical we were and ‘ you guys get every ball, every rebound, we're scared when we hit you guys ’”
“We can't turn it off. That's how we always play. That's all we know,” says Eric.
Nick added: “We were playing a couple of months ago and Eric's coming down the court and drops his shoulder and runs this guy over like some professional running back. The guy literally picked up the ball and walks out of the gym and said, ‘ I have to work tomorrow and this guy is going to kill me and I'm not playing anymore and just left the gym. ”
No one who ever left any gym, whether it was the Tom Kenney gym or tiny Pyne Point gym, after watching Eric and Nick play will ever forget The Twins. Invincible and inspirational
CCHS Hall of Fame Green & White Inductee Honoring Athletics
KELLY KILLION
Class of 2004
Kelly Killion views being a inducted into the Green & White Hall of Fame for Athletics differently now since she has been a college coach for almost two decades, including the last 10 years as an assistant for the University of Pennsylvania.
“One of my fellow coaches and I always joke that we wished we coached before we played,” she said with a laugh. “There are so many things we would do differently, so many decisions we would make differently. Being a coach has made me consider all it takes to be a Hall of Famer. You just don’t snap your fingers and get in the Hall of Fame, you need so many pieces around you to fall into place.”
Killion, who graduated in 2004 and now is the Associate Head Women’s Coach at Penn, was a threesport star at CCHS, but basketball was her passion and let to her profession.
“I had the pleasure of playing basketball with Kelly at Camden Catholic for four year,” Marcy (Cuneo) Komdat ’04 says. “Not only was Kelly an incredible basketball player, but she was also a leader and loyal teammate on and off the court.”
“She worked hard at her skill, but also went out of her way to help and support her teammates, friends and classmates. I have had the privilege of continuing to watch Kelly's basketball career and now professional career shine since our Camden Catholic days.”
Killion credited Chrisy Palladino, her basketball coach at CCHS and Irish teammates, her sister Kim Killion, Marcy and Emily Cuneo, Annie Bilinkski, Katie Gallagher, Steph Sharpe, Meghan Kane, Christine Matera, Rashidat Junaid, Megan Lovett and Elizabeth Wixted.
“A special thank you to Coach Pal for never allowing me to be anything less than an awesome teammate, leader and friend and for shaping my career as a player and coach,” Killion said. “To my teammates – especially my basketball girls - our Saturday morning pregame breakfast at the Cuneo house or our late-night decorating of the locker room and cars are the real memories that live on. I am so thankful for each of you and I love that we always pick up where we left off.”
“Kim, thank you for deciding to come to CCHS – you made my experience exceptional, playing all three sports together.”
Killion also thanks Joe DiPietro, her softball coach and Dennis Bantal, her soccer coach at CCHS She also thanks her parents, Jack and Ellie, and her brothers, for her success.
“My family and close friends, thank you for always being the best support system throughout my athletic career and ultimately in life,” said Killion
“I’ve had plenty of memorable games during my playing days, but the most memorable one during my time at CCHS was a game I didn’t compete in due to tearing my ACL and meniscus,” she recalled.
“Our basketball team hosted one of the state tournament games against Holy Cross and watching my teammates compete and win that game was indescribable The atmosphere wa s electric, and Kim, Annie, Katie, Marcy and Emily played their hearts out. ”
Killion went on to star at Holy Family University, where she was also inducted to their Hall of Fame. She was one of only two student-athletes in the department's Division II era to be named CACC Player of the Year twice
Killion was a four-time All-CACC selection from 2004-2008. She earned her first Player of the Year award as a junior in 2007, adding to that with a second Player of the Year honor her senior season in 2008
Those two years Killion was also named to the Daktronics All-East Region first team. In her career, Killion scored 1,574 points, ranking her 10th in program history.
She finished her career as the Holy Family’s top three-point shooter with 313 made three-pointers.
Killion ranks second all-time with 619 assists and seventh in field goals made with 516 She was part of three CACC Championship teams while at Holy Family and went to the NCAA Tournament all four years of her career, including the 2008 team that advanced all the way to the regional final for the first time in program history
In 2017, Killion and her teammates of the 2007-08 team were inducted into the CACC Hall of Fame.
She was a Three-Time Team Captain (115-13 overall record) 2006, 2007, 2008 and was the CACC Newcomer of the Year 2005
“I’ve had the pleasure working for two amazing mentors in Mike McLaughlin at the University of Pennsylvania and Ed Swanson at the College of William & Mary and Sacred Heart University,” said Killion, who currently serves under McLaughlin as his top assistant
Kelly and Edward Bacerra purchased a home in Pennsauken in 2019 and live there with their son, Eddie, who will be 3-years-old in December.
“The most important for me is recognizing all the other people who helped me become a Hall of Famer, without them it would be impossible and my sister who was always defending me making me better,” Killion said.
“I’m thankful, I had really great teammates and an excellent coaching staff.”
CCHS Hall of Fame Green & White Inductee Honoring Athletics
JONATHAN GEORGE
Class of 2002
Jonathan George is living a dream.
As the advanced scout for the Texas Rangers, who were in the playoffs last month, the 2002 CCHS graduate was at Citizens Bank parking scouting the Phillies, in case both teams advanced to the World Series.
“For me, it's like this is a team I grew up loving rooting for and watching every night on Comcast and now to be here, it's a pretty cool concept. It’s as if I could be writing the advanced report on my childhood team,” said George said about the Phillies in mid-October. “It is like a dream.”
George’s dream year continues as he has been inducted into the Green & White Hall of Fame for Athletics.
Following his senior season for the Irish, which the right-handed pitcher boasted a sub 1.00 ERA, George was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 16th round.
“Special thanks to Bob Moffett, Dennis Quinn and Jim Kearney,” George said. “All of these men impacted my life both on the baseball field and off of it during my time at CCHS.”
“He always put my career first. He helped me become the best player I could possibly be,” George added about Moffett.
George list the most memorable moments of his CCHS baseball career as hitting a walk-off home run against Bishop Eustace his junior year.
“I had just come back from sitting out for 30 days before being permitted to play varsity … it was definitely one of my more memorable experiences,” said George, who transferred to CCHS from Eustace after his sophomore year.
Also as a junior, George hurled a no-hitter against Red Bank Catholic in the state tournament.
“That's what kind of started my recruiting,” George said about being recruited by Vanderbilt, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech. “That was what kicked it off for me. ”
George, who went to grade school at St. Peter’s in Merchantville, opted to sign with the Reds where Baseball America listed him a Top 30 Prospect for Cincinnati in 2002 and 2003.
He was named to the Baseball America Pioneer League Top Prospect List 2003
“I had nice career, met a lot of people on the way, ” said George, who was a Professional Player from 2002 – 2009.
George was inducted to the Camden County Baseball Hall of Fame, where his dad, Rowland, and uncle, Will, – two Pennsauken High School legends who both went onto play in the minors and be major league scouts also - were also enshrined.
“It's pretty neat they're both in it and I'm the third family member,” George said about his dad and uncle
George credited “ my Mom (Diane) and Dad (who graduated from Pennsauken in 1972 after setting a then school career record of 18 wins) for always sacrificing their own time to help me get better, always pushing me hard to achieve my dreams.”
George won the 2003 Pioneer League Championship with the Billings Mustangs.
“I had a nice career and I am very fortunate for the people I met along the way, ” George said. “It's honestly helped me out a ton in the role that I'm in now. ”
“There have been so many people that I've learned from and obviously that started with my dad and uncle at a young age, teaching me the different little things of the game of baseball, which has really helped me in my career ”
“And, then to spend eight years in professional baseball, you're going to run into a lot of people who are very knowledgeable and have a wealth of data, the new data that is baseball these days, and you learn from them.”
In addition to being a Special Assignment scout George also works in player development for the Texas Rangers.
“I think the hardest part of scouting is going back after being a professional player and having to evaluate amateur players,” George said “I think talent is easy to identify, but putting players in the correct monetary value or what round selection is appropriate, was tough early on ”
“The pro scouting side is a lot easier,” George added. “What I'm doing now with the hybrid role of scouting and player development, I have a ton of passion for players in general, making sure that they're equipped with all of the necessary tools and information.”
George draws from his own experience as a player.
“I think that's where I learned a lot of empathy and being able to put yourself in somebody else's shoes,” George said, “and obviously having walked in those shoes before, it's very easy to go back and understand where they're coming from ”
George also owns an apparel and printing company, Mucho Flow, outside of Pittsburgh, where he lives with his wife Amanda and two children – Olivia (14) and Benjamin (4)
“I’m so appreciative of the experiences through athletics that have shaped the person that I am, ” George said, “and it has really helped me continue to succeed.”
A success which includes the dream of being in Citizen’s Bank Park and scouting his childhood team.
CCHS Hall of Fame Green & White Inductee
Honoring Athletics
1974-75 IRISH BOYS WRESTLING TEAM
The 1974-75 undefeated Irish wrestling team helped start a tradition of unity that continues today.
“It's just such a great family at atmosphere,” says Charles "Chief" Welch, the sophomore heavyweight on the squad that is being inducted into the Green & White Hall of Fame for Athletics. “Wrestlers from the sixties, seventies, every generation, come back.”
“The other day I was at CCHS for a football game and all the wrestlers were together. It’s the same as it was back in my day, we always hung out together… and we still do to this day.”
The Irish of 74-75 were just the second undefeated wrestling team in school history with a 12-0-1 record. CCHS was 7-0 to win the South Jersey North Conference.
“It was really a life-changer for me, being on that team, even though I had more personal success the following year,” Jay O'Donnell, who was a junior wrestling at 101 pounds on the 74-75 team, said. “When I look back on it, that year it was just so cool being on a team that was undefeated. It made me realize that in life, I want to be part of a winning team, whether that’s in business or otherwise.”
“The next year we were 13-2, so it wasn't like we were slouches, but it just was a little bit different than being on that 74-75 team.”
The Irish, who were ranked No. 4 in the final Courier-Post poll, placed second in District 29.
Only three seniors returned from the previous season’s 14-0 team that won the District 29 title and finished second in the Courier-Post poll. The Courier-Post referred to head coach Warren Bowne as a “minor miracle worker” as only Brian Ahern (108), and co-captains Bill Cona (115) and Joe Cornely (188) came into the season with varsity experience.
After a pivotal win over Pennsauken, Bowne said Cona and Cornely “ are fine leaders and deserve a lot of the credit for the team ’ s success. They help keep everyone working.”
O’Donnell recalled that year when he got the nod he was wrestling varsity, he said, “Joe just looked at me and he says, man, you're up, you're going to do great. ”
O’Donnell also held the same high respect for Bowne, who started the Irish wrestling program eight years earlier.
“By the time I got there, he was a legend,” said O'Donnell, who used to go to the Irish wrestling room with his older brother, Bill, when in eighth grade.
Bowne said at the time that he felt the 74-75 team “might even be closer “ than the previous year “They don’t like the thought of losing,” Bowne said during the season.
The Irish started off the magical season with a 65-0 win over Willingboro and then a 46-3 victory over Woodrow Wilson
In the fourth match of the season, the Irish defeated unbeaten Haddonfield 27-20 with the deciding match coming from Joe Cornely, 7-6, for the 20th straight win dating back to the previous season Bowne said Cornely did a “ super job ”
Then, the Irish beat Cherry Hill East 23-20. The match was tied when Welch won a 6-2 decision, reversing a Christmas tournament defeat to the East heavyweight, who outweighed the 190-pound Welch by 80 pounds.
“George Deutsch was our assistant coach and he worked with me for the longest time teaching how to use the opponent's weight against them,” said Welch, who is currently an assistant coach with the Irish.
Jay O’Donnell opened the match at 101 pounds with a 9-0 decision, prompting Bowne to say after the match that he, “did his best wrestling of the year. ”
The Irish won their 27th-straight and third consecutive South Jersey North Conference title with a 23-21 win over Cherry Hill West A pin by John Gregory at 158 turned out to be the deciding points. Bowne said after the match that it “proved the guys are able to accept pressure situations.”
Cona (115) and Cornely (188) each placed first in District 29 while O’Donnell (101), Ahern (108) and Ed Fanelle (141) took second and Gregory (158) placed third.
In Region 8, Cona won the title and Ahern took home the silver medal as both qualified for the state tournament. Cornely won a bronze in the Regional.
The 74-75 Irish were also winners of the Overbrook Christmas Tournament as Ahern, Cona, Michael Dolan (135), David Ardire (148), Gregory and Cornely all won gold while O’Donnell and Welch took silver and Fred Schmidt (122) placed third.
The Irish won their first nine matches before a 21-21 tie with Shawnee, the only blemish on their memorable and unifying season
“It's the camaraderie, everybody keeping together and backing each other up and hanging together,” Welch said. “It wasn't when the wrestling season was over, goodbye. We were always together.”
And now they go into the Hall of Fame together as a team
CCHS Hall of Fame Inductee 1887 Special Categorys
JAMES LUMLEY
Class of 1986
Jim Lumley epitomizes the Camden Catholic spirit. His dedication to his alma mater has manifested itself in the leadership of the Irish Juniors wrestling program, which has helped to form thousands of young student-athletes who are primed for success. His perpetual support of not only CCHS wrestling, but all of Camden Catholic, through student-athlete mentorship, alumni relations, facilities support and The Fund for Camden Catholic, make Jim an exemplary candidate for induction into the 1887 Special Recognition Category of the Hall of Fame.
During his time as a student here in the 1980s, Jim was an honors student at the top of his class. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, History Honor Society and the Emerald Honor Society. His sisters remember that “Jim consistently demonstrated himself as a person with remarkable character and high integrity along with a natural ability to lead others.”
He was a Student Ambassador and served on Student Government. He was one of 35 Scholar Athletes chosen from the nation to receive the National Scholar Athlete Award. He was selected for the Good Citizenship Award his sophomore year and, Jim was also named a Boys State Delegate. At Graduation in 1986, Jim received the Bishop George H. Guilfoyle Award for Academic Excellence, the President’s Academic Fitness Award, the Award for Achievement in Mathematics, and the Excellent Achievement in the Field of Computer Programming Award. Finally, he was also honored with the ArchBishop Damiano Award. This award exemplifies outstanding qualities of leadership, character, service and scholastic achievement for 4 years at Camden Catholic High School.
It’s hard to fathom that Jim had time for much else during high school but he simultaneously was excelling at a myriad of extracurricular activities and athletics. “Looking back, Camden Catholic provided the perfect balance of academics and athletics while providing a strong moral compass,” he shares. “I had the privilege of being taught by some of CCHS’ all time best educators, Pam Jordan, Dave MacDonald, Mr. D, Pam (Neidig) Palazzo, Jack Phipps, Wayne King and Msgr. Martin.
These educators challenged and prepared me for my degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.”
During his tenure at CCHS, Jim was an outstanding athletic competitor excelling as a multi-sport athlete on the wrestling, golf, and cross-country teams, earning 10 varsity letters, having a passion mostly for wrestling. Jim had the opportunity to wrestle under the direction of Larry Fanelle at CCHS From him, Jim learned the valuable life lessons of commitment, discipline, courage, and that hard-work pays off These are the values that led Jim to lead the Irish Juniors program, and the values which he proceeded to instill in the thousands of young wrestlers who gathered in the CCHS basement each winter.
Jim’s high school wrestling accolades include a varsity record of 58-16-3, Vogelbacher Award for First Year Outstanding Wrestler, Moorestown Christmas Wrestling Tournament three-time champion, First Team Olympic National Conference twice and South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame scholarship grant recipient.
Due to his exceptional athletic and academic capabilities, Jim was heavily recruited for wrestling during his junior and senior years in high school. He received several scholarship offers and ultimately chose to continue his athletic career at the University of Pennsylvania. Jim wrestled for the Quakers all four years and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
After graduating college and starting his professional business career, Jim continued with his passion for sports through coaching wrestling. He returned to CCHS as a wrestling coach for 11 seasons helping lead the team to multiple District and State Championships. Jim eventually became the head coach and President of the Fighting Irish Junior program for 15 years, proving his dedication to teaching and mentoring young athletes all while building up and improving the program
“Wrestling has been a lifelong passion of mine, and it taught me lessons about hard work, perseverance and dedication,” says Jim. “I was thrilled to be a coach, mentor and eventually friends with so many like-minded individuals. The most remarkable aspect of my wrestling journey is the lifelong friendships I have forged along the way I am truly blessed for the bonds I have formed with my wrestlers, teammates, and coaches from CCHS and Irish Junior Wrestling ”
His sisters share, “Jim was always able to recruit alumni, former teammates, and former athletes to give back to the program Aside from the training regimens and teaching the proper wrestling techniques and maneuvers, Jim was fiercely aware of his responsibility to teach these athletes sportsmanship, integrity, resilience, and self-discipline. He was truly a great coach and mentor that created a safe and supportive atmosphere for hundreds of children. In addition, Jim has assisted athletes of the program with their college recruitment process so that they could continue their wrestling careers at the collegiate level Jim has also demonstrated his loyalty to the school by continually being involved with various activities and committees over the years including advocating for capital improvements and participating in fundraising events. ”
Today, Jim stays in touch with many of his former Irish teammates as well as many of the students he coached He enjoys golfing, going to the beach, spending time with his family, and watching Philly sports. He resides in Moorestown, NJ with his wife Dana. They have four children, Paige, JT, Shea and Luke who have followed in his footsteps of being successful and respected individuals and athletes
Class of 2023 Inductees
Thanks & Thoughts... Academics & Arts
WARREN FAULK
It was the unshakeable faith, dedication and sacrifices of the Sisters of Mercy that guided us through the devastating fire in our freshman year and the two years of split sessions that followed. All of us in the Class of '63, the first graduating class in Cherry Hill, owe so much to these indomitable women. Specifically, the following CCHS faculty were great influences: Sister Francis, who introduced us to great literature and taught us to think critically; Sister Laurita, who held us accountable; and Father Jordan, who sparked an interest in social justice.
JOSEPH KUCHLER, MD
I cherish the special memories from my unique coming of age time at CCHS. The handful of years I spent there were extremely influential in my development leading to the formation of many future milestones throughout my life. I met my wife, Patricia Kelly, who was also a member of the CCHS class of 1966 and we have enjoyed a successful marriage for 52 years. The learning experiences at CCHS introduced me to the various fields of science and that exposure led to a decision to pursue a future in medicine. If it were not for the wonderful years at CCHS, I would not have met my exceptional wife who has been my solid rock throughout my life and enjoyable career.
While being a part of the student body at CCHS, I was awarded with the highest medal for the national Latin exam, The National Latinum Auxilium. I graduated 3rd in the class of 450 students and I was the first boy amongst 225 other boys. I was awarded a full academic scholarship to the college of my choice from CCHS and I gladly chose St. Joseph’s University.
The teachers most influential to me at CCHS were the nuns and priest that I had for my science subjects, especially Sr. Casimir for chemistry and AP chemistry and Fr. Salamandra for biology. I enjoyed the science and biology classes so much that Fr. Salamandra felt that I should pursue a career in medicine. The science teachers all contributed to my teenage development along with Father Heart and Father Stout.
Class of 2023 Inductees
Thanks & Thoughts...
N’NAMDEE NELSON
I’m thankful to Camden Catholic staff and my fellow classmates for preparing me for life. I was prepared for college due to my academic experiences in highschool and dealing with a diverse group of people in high school prepared for an easy transition into adulthood. William Walker, who was my football coach, was most influential during my time at CCHS. He was someone who I could call on in a time of need and also gave me necessary feedback when needed. Even though he blocked me from playing basketball in order to be on the football field, he was a very trustworthy and dependable person. Thanks to Will and his wife Tony I went to all the school dances in style.
JOSEPH TROUT, PhD
My Catholic faith has been the base on which my life has been built. I cannot imagine life without it. I’m so grateful to my mother, Laura Trout, and my eight siblings for the encouragement, happiness, love of each other and our faith, that kept me going though some stressful times, but was also ever present during the best times too. Camden Catholic was a wonderful experience for me, despite the social turbulence of the 1970’s, I got an excellent academic education, rooted in the Catholicism that I love so dearly. A special thanks to the nuns and priests at that time. Also loved my time on the Cross Country and Track teams, and the friends I made there with whom I am still in contact.
Most influential during my time at CCHS: John Teti, Chemistry – I was his teaching assistant for chemistry labs. Father William Graham, English – gave me a love of Shakespeare. Sister Mary, homeroom and biology teacher. The coaches and teammates of the Cross Country and Track and Field Teams – especially my teammates Bill Jenkins.
Class of 2023 Inductees Thanks & Thoughts...
Athletics
JOE BURKE
I would like to kindly thank the CCHS Hall of Fame Committee for considering me for this honor. Camden Catholic is such a special place and I have so many fond memories of those four key foundational years of my life there. First and foremost, in September of 1956 I met a pretty, very special young lady from Fairview, NJ, during my freshman year in Sister Leonardo’s homeroom. Her name was Carol Anne Colavito. Carol was a CCHS cheerleader all four years of high school and cheered at every one of the basketball games in which I played. Although Carol shared a warm spot in my heart from freshman year on, we didn't start dating until our Senior year. Carol and I were married on June 20, 1964, the week after my graduation from Rider college (now a university). We enjoyed 56+ years of blissful happiness together, raised three happily married children and have seven grandchildren. God called my dear Carol to Heaven in 2021. I have emailed photos of Carol as a CCHS cheerleader and her yearbook graduation photo.
I would like to thank all the wonderful nuns, priests, lay teachers and coaches who made our CCHS experience so meaningful and memorable. We were blessed and there is no doubt that the amazing spiritual, academic, athletic, and social environment CCHS created for us was instrumental in our success in our later God centered lives. If everyone could have graduated from the Camden Catholic we know the world would be a better place.
Speaking for Carol as well, we are truly grateful that several of our CCHS classmates and team mates became lifelong friends to this day.
ERIC CANGELOSI
Thanks to Coach Crawford, both Coach Murtins, all assistants and all the teachers and friends that supported me during my four years at CCHS. The lessons learned from coaches and teachers helped me to be successful in athletics, academics and as a husband/parent – honor/faith /loyalty.
Best memories include: winning the state championship soph and senior year (I made a foul shot with no time left to beat Camden my freshman year at Camden High), beating St. Anthony’s at Cherry Hill East, competing in the tournament of champions at Rutgers University, playing St. Pat’s in the last high school game of the 2003 year, beating Holy Family in the second round of the Division II Tournament on a last-second rebound and layup.
Class of 2023 Inductees
Thanks & Thoughts...
NICK CANGELOSI
Huge thanks to Coach Crawford and Coach Scuderi for the positive impact they've had on my life as well as the Camden Catholic community for instilling honor, faith, and loyalty in every aspect of my life!
JONATHAN GEORGE
Special thanks to Bob Moffett, Dennis Quinn and Jim Kearney. All of these men impacted my life both on the baseball field and off of it during my time at CCHS.
KELLY KILLION
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I decided two weeks before freshman year to attend CCHS. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I met amazing people on and off the soccer field, basketball court and softball field. I was able to learn what being a true teammate was all about. A special thank you to Coach Pal for never allowing me to be anything less than an awesome teammate, leader and friend and for shaping my career as a player and coach. I love you. To my teammates – especially my basketball girls… our Saturday morning pregame breakfast at the Cuneo house or our late-night decorating of the locker room and cars are the real memories that live on. I am so thankful for each of you and I love that we always pick up where we left off. Kim, thank you for deciding to come to CCHS – you made my experience exceptional and to play all three sports by my big sister was the best part of high school and college. Lastly, my family and close friends, thank you for always being the best support system throughout my athletic career and ultimately in life. You have seen me at my best and worst, but you never treated me any differently. The “boo’s” & “you stink” will always be welcomed! I love you all!
Class of 2023 Inductees
Thanks & Thoughts...
1887 Special Category
JIM LUMLEY
Being inducted into the Camden Catholic Hall of Fame is an incredible honor. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the selection committee. Being recognized for doing what we are supposed to do is truly humbling as one of my Camden Catholic mentors always reminds me.
Looking back, Camden Catholic provided the perfect balance of academics and athletics while providing a strong moral compass. I had the privilege of being taught by some of CCHS’ all time best educators, Pam Jordan, Dave MacDonald, Mr. D, Pam Neidig, Jack Phipps, Wayne King and Msgr Martin. These educators challenged and prepared me for my degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. I am so grateful to have met Danny Morgan, my student government partner and lifelong friend.
Wrestling has been a lifelong passion of mine, and it taught me lessons about hard work, perseverance and dedication. I was thrilled to be a coach, mentor and eventually friends with so many like minded individuals. The most remarkable aspect of my wrestling journey is the lifelong friendships I have forged along the way. I am truly blessed for the bonds I have formed with my wrestlers, teammates, and coaches from CCHS and Irish Junior Wrestling. Thank you to all coaches that motivated so many wrestlers like me: Larry Fanelle, George Deutsch, Bill O’Donnell, Dennis Kelley, Gary Papa, Jack Phipps, Bob DiStanislao, Jack Clements, and Jack Gabbett. Special thank you to Tom Francesconi for coaching with me for over 15+ years.
Thank you to my parents, Jim Sr. and Marie, for their guidance, support and for always being by my side. I was blessed to have great siblings, Colleen, Kathy and Brian, who always had my back and encouraged me in everything. Thank you to my children, Paige, JT, Shea and Luke for being so incredible and embracing my passion. Thank you for your love and support.
Throughout my 30+ years of coaching and trying to make a difference in others lives, my wife Dana, has been my support system through thick and thin, and I am forever grateful for her unwavering dedication for being a coach's wife and sharing me with the Camden Catholic wrestling program. You are loved beyond measure.
2023 Hall of Fame Committee Members
Thank you to the following individuals for their time and dedication in making this evening’s event possible:
Maureen Lee Behm ‘91
Tim Bieg ‘97
Colin Devlin ‘02
Kathy DiCamillo, Former Faculty
Dave MacDonald, Former Faculty
Agnes Madden ‘63
Monsignor Andrew Martin, President Emeritus
Maryanne Merritt ‘60
Kevin O’Brien ‘75
Jack Wixted ‘72 - Chairperson
Special thanks to Msgr. Andrew Martin and Kevin Callahan ‘79 for sharing their talents in the research and writing of the Hall of Fame biographies. And, also thank you to Msgr. Andrew Martin and Tim Bieg ‘97 for their presentation of the inductees this evening. Additional thanks to Agnes and Jim Madden for their support of the event and organizing flowers and the reception bar.
The 16th Annual Hall of Fame will take place in the Fall of 2025. The nomination process is now open. Nominations will be accepted until April 1, 2025. Nomination forms are available on our website under Alumni > Hall of Fame.
If you are interested in being involved with the Hall of Fame Committee, please contact Kate Bieg at 856-663-2247 ext. 134.
Congratulations 2022 Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipients
(named following the 2022 event in April of 2022)
Anyah Griffin ‘23
Michael Wright ‘25
Trish Escarrilla ‘24
Alexandra Bergamesco ‘23
Annually, the Hall of Fame Committee awards multiple $1,000 scholarships to current Camden Catholic students with the proceeds that are raised during the event. The students compete by writing an essay on a topic about the year’s inductees. Members of the Hall of Fame Committee suggest winners based not only on the submitted essays, but also the applicants leadership qualities, determination and Camden Catholic spirit.
A R T S / A C A D E M I C S
Dawn Marie Addiego ’80 2015
Teresa Andris ’81 2019
Yolanda Aguilar deNeely ’63 2009
Paul C. Azores* 2013
Rosemary Barber-Madden ’58 2018
Monsignor William Brennan 2019
Connie Bowman ’36* 2007
Pat Sariego Brown ’66 2016
Edward F. Burke ’52 2013
Christopher J Burns, Ph D ’80 2022
William Cahill ’29* 2008
Richard Callahan ’78 2011
Rudolph Camishion, MD ’45 2018
Michael M. Canaris, Ph.D. ’98 2022
Rev Msgr James Carr ’45 2010
Jack Carty ’47 2014
Carman A. Ciervo ’80 2015
Joseph Clarke, Sr ’32* 2014
Barbara Yeager Conforti ’76 2011
Dr. Richard Corbett ’55* 2009
Michael J Corman ’82 2007
Pat Delsi (Pat Del Signore) ’52 2014
Vice Admiral Nanette DeRenzi ’79 2010
Barbara Breuer Dever ’69 2007
Debra Procacci DiLorenzo ’72 2008
Robert DiStanislao ’78 2012
Admiral William Fallon ’63 2007
Joe Farina ’73 2007
John Farina ’70 2013
Carmen M. Garcia ’76 2015
Andrew Gaskill ’69 2008
Joseph Gianfortune 2019
Sister Philomena M Gini, RSM ’49 2012
Anthony Giorgio ’68 2015
Gary Graham ’79 2011
Michael Graham ’81 2011
Charles Grandi ’69 2014
Fr William Hart 2009
Sister Percylee Hart, RSM ’52 2013
Robert Healey ’47 2007
Thomas S Higgins ’54* 2015
Raymond Hozalski ’86 2011
Fred Keating ’66 2009
Honorable John T Kelley ’66 2008
Mary Woods Kelly ’33 2011
Sister Patricia Kenny, RSM 2012
James Kerley ’40 2007
Timothy G Klauder ’78 2018
Paula M Krebs ’76 2018
Sister Pauline Kuntne, RSM 2009
William Lanza ’66 2014
Dr. John Legere ’65 2007
Thomas Escott Lizzio ’58 2017
Dr Joseph Loscalzo ’69 2012
Dave MacDonald 2009
Honorable Thomas M Madden ’26* 2012
Sister Janet Theresa Marchesani, OP ’56 2016
Sister Mary 2008
Bernice Massi ’51 2012
Elizabeth Tirrell Mazzeo ’77 2014
Dr Constance McAneney ’73 2009
Msgr. Robert M. McDermott ’60 2008
Daniel B McDyre ’59 2016
Joseph McEvoy, Ph.D. ’55 2012
Dennis McGonigle ’78 2014
Frank McGraw ’37* 2008
Major General James McIntosh ’56, USAF Ret 2018
Sr. Mary Edna McLarney, RSM ’33 2010
Bishop George Murry, SJ ’66 2007
Honorable Joseph Mussomeli ’70 2012
Honorable Joseph Nardi ’49* 2009
William A Nicoletti ’82 2022
William Palese ’57* 2012
Dr Doreen Fretz Perez ’67 2019
John L Phipps Jr , Faculty 2022
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. ’77 2007
John L Pund ’74 2016
Julia Bilodeau Purdy ’78 2017
Dean Ragone ’76 2010
Sister Mary Simon Robb, RSM ’54 2009
Honorable Joseph Rodriguez ’49 2009
Rev Msgr George Sharkey ’34* 2007
Thomas J Shusted ’44* 2016
Nancy O'Brien Singer ’76 2013
Gerard P Smith ’52 2016
Rear Admiral Joseph Strasser ’58 2009
John M Tedeschi, MD ’56 2017
Sister Mary Winifred Thomas, RSM* 2018
James Toogood ’73 2007
Stephanie Tortu, Ph D ’64 2022
Sister Patricia Travaline ’52 2010
Philip Travaline ’55 2010
Honorable Theresa Tull ’53 2008
Robert Viggiano ’54 2014
Kevin D Walsh ’91 2015
Sr. Barbara Williams, RSM ’56 2008
Dr Peter A Wish ’60 2012
1 8 8 7 – S P E C I A L
Brian Fitzpatrick ’87 2019
Richard J. Kelly ’55 2016
Agnes (Weatherby) ’63 and James ’57 Madden 2015
Rev. Msgr. Andrew Martin 2011
Raymond “Doc” Nardi ’78 2015
Ernest Picknally 2008
Charles Reed ’60 2018
Corporal John Michael Reid, USMC ’65* 2017
Kurt Schmidt ’85 2011
Linda M Schilling ’70 2018
Brother Bartholomew A. Sheehan, S.J. ’23* 2016
Sisters of Mercy of CCHS 2017
A T H L E T I C S
John Bach ’30* 2012
Ralph Bantivoglio ’56* 2014
Ralph Beatty ’64 2012
Maureen Lee Behm ’92 2016
Tim Bieg ’97 2009
Ed Bolis ’68 2012
Michael J. Booth ’00 2016
Warren Bowne 2007
Joanne Burke ’77 2007
Don Casey ’55 2010
Tom Clifford ’62 2010
Blaise (Bill) Cona ’75 2008
Bill Conaty ’91 2008
Jim Coppola ’76 2007
Jim Crawford 2019
Frank Cornely ’00 2018
Kevin Crawford ’97 2013
Jim Delaney 2009
Joe DiPietro ’76 2014
Fred Erhardt ’57 2008
Gabby Bieg Funke ’94 2011
Katie Gallagher ’06 2019
James Galmin ’59* 2013
Eddie Giosa ’03 2019
Kristina Branca Gozdan ’86 2014
Ed Gramigna ’50 2007
Stuart Green ’60 2011
Lou Holder ’87 2018
Earl Horner ’62 2015
Maggie Iezzi-Cheli ’88 2016
Rashidat Junaid ’06 2017
Donald Kennedy ’50 2011
Tom Kenney* 2007
Bob Kenney ’52 2009
Mike Kondrla ’67 2011
Brian A Krulikowski ’87 2022
Jennifer Mayfield LaFave ’90 2016
Mike Madden ’63 2007
Thomas Madden ’54 2015
John “Jack” Magee ’71 2013
Andy Mancini ’63 2017
John McCarthy ’35* 2008
Don McComb ’52 2007
Sonny Morrell ’51* 2007
Fran Mulroy ’52 2007
Pat O'Brien ’76 2007
William J. “Pat” O’Brien ’29* 2010
Colleen Lumley O’Brien ’87 2013
Virginia Onofrio ’81 2009
Vicki Sclafani Orzechowski ’63 2008
Christine Palladino, Coach 2022
Gary Papa 2011
Bryan Parker ’92 2013
Barbara Patterson ’73 2014
Justin Phoenix ’92 2009
Dan Potts ’73 2008
Ed Pyne ’62 2008
Phil Raimondo ’52 2007
Erica Richards Reilly ’86 2008
Katie Caputi Robine ’98 2009
Erin Garrity Romani ’91 2010
Karl X Sartor ’83 2017
Sue Schooley ’60 2009
Richard Scott ’51 2009
Tom Scranton ’78 2012
William Seitzinger ’53* 2009
Jill Shaw ’87 2015
Jerry Sheehan ’54 2008
Bud Sheehan ’29* 2008
John Sigmund ’96
Rick Slaninka ’67
David Slattery ’82
Bobby Stinson ’02
Joseph Strippoli ’52
Ann Czerniakowski Rychlik ’94
Michael Tallman ’91
Mike Taulane ’66
Aaron Taylor ’96
Sean Vliet ’92
Michelle Vittese ’08
William Walker, II ’91 2018
Colleen Ready Wallace ’77 2012
William Wheeler ’86 2014
Hollis F Wineland ’52
Jack Wixted ’72
Scott Yeager ’97
T E A M S
Boys’ Basketball Team
1948, 1949 Football Teams
Track & Field Team
Wrestling Team
Congratulations on your induction into the Camden Catholic High School Hall of Fame!
Jim L Lumley
1 1887 S Special C Category
I Irish A Athletics A Advoocate, D Donor, a and M Mentor
We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. You have inspired us with your countless achievements and contributions to the school and community. This honor is truly well deserved. You are a great husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, coach, and role model.
All Our Love, Pop, Mom, Congrats Uncle Jim! You are the best. We love you!
Your Biggest Fans, Keely, Ryan, Connor, Maggie, Gavin, Liam, Aidan, Kiera, Caden, Ava, and Colin
Congrats to all the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees!
ALMA MATER
Elizabeth Dreher and Sister Mary Christine Tobin
Hail, Alma Mater! To thee we raise Our grateful hearts in this our song of praise; Hither we came, thy truth and wisdom to attain May thy blest guiding pow’r forever with us reign.
Hail, Alma Mater! Mem’ry recalls Our golden happy years within thy walls; Friendships of youthful days shall never grow cold; Long shall we cherish true glad days of old.
Hail, Alma Mater! Deep in our hearts
We treasure all our memories of thee Throughout the years to come may this our stanchion be: Honor and Loyalty with Faith inspired by thee.
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