A Legacy Continued

By: Dylan Hollender ‘17

Generations of the past never truly disappear at Saint Joseph High School. This is especially the case for Thomas “Pops” Ryan, whose memorial scholarship has created a trail of opportunity for incoming freshmen every year.

Thomas “Pops” Ryan began his career as an English and Drama teacher at Saint Joe’s during the school’s early years in the mid-1960s. With each passing class, he grew to become one of the most beloved figures to walk the halls.

“My dad had a huge heart,” Thomas Ryan ‘72 said. “He loved Catholic education.

Once he started here, he ate, drank, and slept Saint Joe’s.”

Many students will recall his unique way of blending story telling, observation, and even humor into the way he taught his classroom.

“He had a special way to connect to his students,” Mike Mulqueen ‘72, a former coworker of “Pops”, said. “He was like everyone’s dad, concerned about his students as people, yet, he could joke around with the boys, being the professional all the time.”

“Pops” passed away in 1988, and he was one of the few laymen to receive the great honor of being buried in the Saint Joe’s cemetery.

After his passing, the Ryan Family wanted to keep the spirit of his mission alive by creating a memorial scholarship in his name. This scholarship allows for future Falcons in need to be able to afford a life changing education like “Pops” gave to his students.

“The scholarship is about what he represented for Saint Joe’s,” Ryan said. “It’s what he tried to instill, a love for Catholic education, and tradition, the handing down of what he taught. It allows some students who need financial assistance to get it.”

Thomas

As “Pops” impacted more students with each passing year in his classes, he is able to live on at Saint Joseph High School by assisting families to afford the Catholic education he held so close to his heart. The “Pops” Ryan scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman and is renewable for the next three years if they remain in good standing with the school.

Interested in Starting a Scholarship?

Saint Joe’s has a variety of scholarship avenues to support students who excel inside and outside the classroom during their time on campus. If you are interested in supporting an existing scholarship, or creating a new one, please contact John Eppensteiner ‘02 , Director of Alumni Relations, by email at jeppensteiner@stjoes.org or by phone at 732-549-7600 x271.

Existing Scholarships & Funds

Brother Michael Yerkes, S.C. Memorial Scholarship

Brother Robert Sheeley, S.C. Memorial Scholarship

Brother Ronald Cairns, S.C. Memorial Scholarship

Brothers of the Sacred Heart Scholarship

Carl Zeskand ‘88 Memorial Scholarship

The Campus Ministry - JusticeworX Fund

Class of ‘65 Scholarship

Class of ‘68 Scholarship in Memory of Brother Ronald Cairns

Class of ‘71 - 50th Reunion Scholarship

Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard ‘05 Memorial Scholarship

Damon Ferber ‘88 Memorial Scholarship

Daniel Anderl ‘18 Memorial Scholarship

Daniel Sheehan ‘77 Memorial Scholarship

David Bixel ‘66 Memorial Scholarship

Dino Galiano ‘79 Memorial Scholarship

Donald Boyd Fraser Memorial Scholarship

Dr. James M. Kunkel ‘68 Memorial Scholarship

Eric August ‘05 Memorial Scholarship

Frank Chaminade Hoebich ‘80/Bernie Morris Literacy Fund

Gavin J. Macdonald ‘81 Memorial Scholarship

Jason ‘Jay’ Williams ‘99 Hall of Fame Scholarship

John J. Zollinger ‘88 Scholarship

John Sabine ‘79 Memorial Scholarship

Joseph L. Mangiapane ‘98 Memorial Scholarship

Kunigonis Family Scholarship

Lindauer Family Scholarship

Lorraine Noble Memorial Scholarship

Marion K. Garlatti Memorial Scholarship

Matthew Rein ‘13 Memorial Scholarship

Michael Partipilo ‘05 Memorial Scholarship

Mukul K. Agarwala Memorial Award

Ryan Terracciano ‘09 Memorial Award

Ryan Tormey ‘03 Memorial Scholarship

Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini Scholarship

Thomas “Pops” Ryan Memorial Scholarship

Walter C. Callari “Lead by Example” Award

William Fallon ‘66 Memorial Scholarship

William Kuhn ‘65 Memorial Scholarship