8 minute read
Heroes We've Lost
William Dennis Owen, AFSC ’44
William Dennis Owen, ever grateful for the opportunity of a CBA education, served his Alma Mater to the very best of his ability, with enthusiasm, generosity, wisdom, and a ferocity that engaged countless fellow alumni and many friends through the years. At CBA, Dennis proved himself high-spirited and hardworking, enormously popular and lightning fast on the basketball court. Twice he was named an All-City athlete, and he also earned the outstanding player award at the 1944 Little Falls State Catholic Invitational. Margaret Byrne Owen, his charming Irish mother, legendarily bartered with the Brothers to take her son for half tuition. Dennis paid the other half by peddling newspapers near his home in Solvay. After serving his country in the Naval Air Corps, Dennis returned to graduate from Georgetown University. He joined his father in Syracuse as a manufacturer’s representative at the W.S. Owen Company. In 1954, Dennis married Eleanor Sullivan, and together they began the challenging work of raising eight children. In 1960, Dennis was recruited by CBA as chair for the fundraising drive for the new school on Randall Road, and he has since figured prominently–as Trustee and Honorary trustee, in CBA’s decision-making, fund-raising and financial management. Without exaggeration, Dennis Owen was the driver behind the success of every fundraising effort in CBA’s history. In addition to his treasured encouragement and advice through the years, Dennis Owen is the largest single donor in the history of Christian Brothers Academy. Dozens of students have been impacted by his foresight in initiating the school’s endowment fund and subsequently creating the W. Dennis Owen Scholarship Fund which, in any given year, supports approximately 20 students at the school. In 1983, Dennis was awarded the designation of Affiliated Brother, a rare honor which officially associated him with the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In addition, Dennis was presented with the Alumni Association’s Purple and Gold Award in 1995 and was inducted in the School’s Lasallian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
Christian Brothers Academy has been transformed by the time, talent and treasure of William Dennis Owen. He passed away on February 23, 2021 after an extended illness. He leaves behind his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and the Christian Brothers Academy Family, who celebrate this hero in the most loving and profound way. His memory lives all around us, in the buildings he helped build, the funds he helped raise, the friends and classmates who share those memories and most importantly, among the graduates and current students whose lives have been transformed by the opportunities he presented. May his spirit soar, may we remember him always, may he live in our hearts forever!
Robert J. Congel ’54
From his Northside roots among a multi-generational Syracuse family, to Christian Brothers Academy and then to becoming one of the most influential and forward-thinking men in this country, Robert J. Congel built upon a strong foundation – both literally and figuratively. His education as a Brothers Boy served Bob well. After graduating from Fordham University, he began his adult work life as a construction industry contractor, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, using equipment he borrowed from the family business - Mondo Construction. Building upon his success, Bob ultimately became a property developer. As Managing Partner of The Pyramid Companies, he had an incredibly exciting and successful career. Pyramid's flagship property - Destiny USA in Syracuse - is New York's largest shopping center and the sixth largest in the U.S., attracting visitors from all over the globe. Under his watch, The Pyramid Companies became recognized as an industry leader on multiple fronts - through hard work, innovation, persistence and determination. Very much involved in the Syracuse community, Bob was affiliated with many civic organizations. Throughout his career, he served as director of a number of businesses and groups, including Fay’s Drug Company, Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Metropolitan Development Association, and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Among the awards Bob has received are the Simon Le Moyne Medal from Le Moyne College, and the annual Syracuse Marketing Award: “The Crystal Ball Award.” The Syracuse Women’s Federation Club named Bob “The Post Standard Achiever of the Year.”
Bob and his wife Suzanne Flannagan Congel enjoyed the outdoors and travel. The Congels have five children: Beth, Scott, Mark, Sheila and Stephen, and nearly two dozen grandchildren, who they both adored. In fact, Bob was convinced that his greatest accomplishment in life was his wonderful family.
Bob faithfully served his beloved CBA as a longtime member of the Board of Trustees, presiding as Chair of the Board and spear-heading the campaign which resulted in the creation of new football, baseball and tennis facilities in the mid 1980’s. As an Honorary Board member, Bob continued to display his loyalty to the school through his abundant generosity. He was presented with the Alumni Association’s Purple and Gold Award in 2006. For CBA, he will always be a hero, whose acts of generosity and fortitude were impactful and appreciated by the institution he loved so much. Bob died peacefully on February 3, 2021. He was 85 years old.
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
CBA Parent And Trustee A Buffalo native, Dennis DePerro spent his entire 39-year career in college administration. Dennis worked in admissions and alumni relations at his Alma Mater, Canisius College from 1982-1990. From 1990-95, he was the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Marietta College in Ohio. Dennis then went to Le Moyne College in 1995, where the student population rose sharply during his 18 years as Vice President for Enrollment. Dennis assumed the St. Bonaventure University Presidency on June 1, 2017, and in less than four years, oversaw the arrival of the three largest freshman classes in the last 11 years. He implemented new enrollment and marketing strategies, championed new academic program development, and embraced a strategic plan because he respected the tireless work of the people who built the plan and was a willing collaborator to help make it better. Dennis and his wife, Sherry became involved with Christian Brothers Academy when their sons, Andrew ’13 and Matthew ’16 matriculated at the school. Dennis was invited to join the CBA Board of Trustees and did so with enthusiasm. At the time, he was Vice President for Enrollment at Le Moyne and brought incredible expertise to the Board and to the Enrollment Management Committee. Fortunately for CBA, Dennis served as chair of that committee and provided valuable insights and advice to the Board and to the administration.
John Passonno
CBA Golf Coach
John Passonno was born and raised in Troy, NY. He attended the University of Miami and was a member of the golf team. After graduation, he took a position as the teaching assistant PGA golf professional at the Country Club of Miami. John moved back north after a couple of nice years in the sun, to join his father in business as a manufacturer's representative. In 1969, he married Janice, and they had three children, Kristin, Jennifer and John Jr. He was an example of how to be a bright light in the community, being a good person, and always treating others as he would like to be treated. In 1998, John was inducted into the Troy High School Sports Hall of Fame, being recognized for both golf and baseball. He was a past President and Board Member for both the Syracuse Golf Association and the Syracuse University Basketball program’s Hardwood Club. In the mid 1980’s, John became the boys varsity golf coach for Christian Brothers Academy, a role he held and cherished for 35 years. He loved teaching the young men about not only the game of golf, but what it means to be a gentleman on and off the course. He always stressed proper etiquette and honesty. Coach Passonno’s teams won plenty of matches during his time coaching. In fact, during his tenure, the Brothers earned 16 league championships and nine Section III titles. Coach Passonno couldn’t have been so successful without an internal fire. CBA golfer Joe Nicholson, a junior, remembered his first varsity match as a seventh grader. Nicholson said Passonno told him he had three rules: have fun, count all the strokes and kick some derriere. That competitive bluntness surprised Nicholson, who recognized that Coach was also a great teacher and that he taught them how to be good people on and off the course. Ultimately, CBA Director of Athletics Buddy Wleklinski thinks Passonno’s legacy will live on in the impact made on his golfers. “He made a difference in his players’ lives. I guess you can’t be given a greater compliment than that,” Wleklinski said.
