2007 Hall of Fame Inductees

Jack A. Allocco, '68
Alumnus

Jack Allocco grew up on Clifford Avenue in Rochester and attended Catholic schools, including Bishop Kearney High School from 1964-68. While at BK, he was a member of the National Honor Society and the President of the Spanish National Honor Society. Music was always his passion, learning music by ear and playing in a band since the age of 12.

After graduating from Bishop Kearney, Allocco went on to St. John Fisher College to study accounting, then simultaneously to Nazareth College for music. He later studied classical guitar at the University of Miami, before moving to California to pursue a career in music. Since 1976, he has worked as a music director and conductor for such artists as Robert Goulet, Phyllis Diller, Fabian and Jewel. He has also directed numerous musical productions for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and has even performed at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. These are only a few of his long list of accomplishments.

Today, Allocco composes music for the television soap operas, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. His work has earned him two Daytime Emmy awards, one in 1989 and the other last year. He has also won ASCAP's (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) honor for the most performed underscore for the past 8 consecutive years.

"There was a family environment at Bishop Kearney when I needed it," Allocco once stated. "It gave me a safe haven, and it was very nurturing. The supportive people really helped me to keep on this path. I was so very fortunate."

Allocco is married to actress Stacie Randall.

Art Carlisi, '74
Alumnus and Coach

After graduating from Bishop Kearney in 1974, Art Carlisi went on to Niagara University, earning a degree in physical education. He also played for one year in baseball's minor league for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Wanting to reconnect with his alma mater, he became a volunteer in Bishop Kearney's athletic department in 1984. His volunteer tenure includes serving as: junior varsity baseball coach; head baseball coach(1990-92); assistant varsity coach (1993-2001); junior varsity football coach to varsity assistant (1985-2002); and head varsity football coach since 2002.

"I had such a great time when I attended school," Carlisi said. "I wanted to give back what positive experiences I had."

In 2007, he was the head coach for the Eddie Meath High School All Star Football Team.

Married to his wife Linda since 1979, they have a son named Samuel Carlisi works as an operations manager for

Conway Central Express trucking company.

Tom Flaherty, '83
Alumnus

Molly Dillon Flaherty, '87
Alumna

Married since 1995, Tom Flaherty and Molly Dillon Flaherty hope their six children will someday have a high school experience much like their own.

"There's such a great sense of community," Molly Flaherty said. "It's academically strong, and it's socially and athletically strong. You'd be hard pressed to find such an experience anywhere else, and that's what we want for our own kids."

Molly and Tom did not meet at Bishop Kearney, although their respective families knew each other and their brothers were best friends.

"We didn't meet until later," she laughed. "Who knew?"

Tom graduated in 1983, and went on to St. Bonaventure University. Since 1995,

he has owned and operated Flaherty Funding.

His volunteer work at Bishop Kearney includes: serving on the board of directors (1997-2000) and the alumni golf tournament committee (1992-94), coordinating the Alumni Hockey Tournament (1988-98), and volunteering on the class of 1983 reunion committee. Outside the school, Tom has served on the board of directors for School of the Holy Childhood and as a Webster Youth Hockey Coach.

Molly graduated in 1987, and went on to Xavier University. She worked for School of the Holy Childhood, before joining Flaherty Funding as vice president of marketing in 2000. Her BKHS volunteer work includes: serving on the Alumni Golf Tournament committee, the "Grassroots" alumni committee (2006-present), and the class of 1987 reunion committee. Outside the school, Molly has volunteered as a Webster Softball Coach and the Rochester Irish Festival committee.

As a family they participate in the Irish Children's Host Program, the Mark Dillon Benefit Golf Tournament committee, and Friends of District Attorney Mike Green.

Leo Fusilli, '76
Alumnus, Board member

Leo Fusilli was an active student at Bishop Kearney High School, where in 1976, he was named outstanding athlete and served as the varsity football captain. He was also a football MVP that year.

Since 2000, he has been a member of the school's Board of Trustees and was part of his 30-year-reunion planning committee. This year he co-chaired the BK Alumni Football Scholarship dinner.

"I want BK kids to have a valuable learning experience," Fusilli said. "BK is about setting up the foundation for growing in today's society. BK helps prepare our students for challenges and changes that occur in our world. It did for me."

Fusilli is active in coaching through Webster Youth Hockey, Penfield Little League, and Penfield Girls Softball. He is also the Penfield Little League Director of Safety, and serves on the Penfield Little League Board of Directors and executive committee.

The Penfield resident and his wife of 25 years, Anita (Bonsignore,'76), have three children, Leo, Olivia, and Isabella.

Fusilli is the owner and president of Precision Inc., a company focused on sports medicine specializing in parts for hip and knee replacement.

Bob and Gladys Hickey
Alumni parents, volunteers

There's no doubt of Bob and Gladys Hickey's commitment to Bishop Kearney High School, after sending nine children through the school and volunteering in numerous groups.

Their children graduated as follows: Patrick (1970), Marie (1972), Eileen (1973), Agnes (1975), Ann (1977), Deirdre (1979), Brigid (1981), Roz (1984), and Michelle (1986). Through the years, the couple volunteered with Kearney Carnival, Bingo (28 years), Parents Club, and Marching Band Fundraisers.

The family also volunteered in the community at St. Rita's Society, St. Joseph's Men's Club, St. Rita's Breakfast Club, and Monroe Community Hospital for the Alzheimer's Association.

"We wanted our children to be in Catholic schools," Gladys Hickey said of Kearney. "Our children learned what it meant to be in a faith community and they learned how to act socially. Our grandchildren are now doing the same thing. Bishop Kearney was just delightful and we loved being involved there. I can't say enough about it."

Bob passed away in 2003, and today Gladys remains active with her family, often attending her grandchildren's sporting events. Among her grandchildren, Ben Hickey graduated in 2006, Alyssa is a senior, and Nic is a freshman.

Br. Lawrence A. Killelea
Former BK Vice Principal

Christian Brother Lawrence A. Killelea served as vice principal for 12 years (1964-1976), during which time he managed the New York State textbook program, scheduled the boys' academic programs, taught religion, English, and math when needed, and occasionally even drove the school bus!

In addition to his school responsibilities, Br. Killelea moderated the Mothers' Club and Showtime for BKHS. He was instrumental in establishing the Bingo organization with Bob and Gladys Hickey, assisting in its program for seven years. He also assisted in establishing the Century Club in 1967 and supervised the annual Kearney Carnival.

Of his tenure at the school, Br. Killelea once stated he was thankful that his higher superiors allowed him to serve at Bishop Kearney High School for such a long period of time. He was happy with his association with the faculty, students, and their parents, and naturally missed the fine friends he made during these years.

After leaving BKHS, Br. Killelea remained in education, working as a teacher and administrator in various schools. From 1993 to 2005, he served as a member of the Eastern American Province Leadership Team, then in the order's business office.

As of this fall, Br. Killelea has still been working full time at the age of 82.

 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees

 The Bishop Kearney Alumni Association inducted seven individuals into the Hall of Fame in November, 2006.The Hall of Fame, established five years ago, annually recognizes alumni, parents, friends, and benefactors.

 Br. Joseph M. Clark – BK Administrator

Christian Brother Joseph M. Clark served as Bishop Kearney's first principal. Introducing the Christian Brothers of Ireland to the Diocese of Rochester came under his direction, as well as the work to be done for the school's grand opening.

To fulfill this responsibility, Brother Clark brought strong conviction, zeal, and deep faith.

Seniors in the 1966 BK yearbook reflected, "Brother Clark was able to instill in all of us, but especially in the first class, a special unity, that wonderfully productive force without which our school would only be a building."

In one archive, Br. Lawrence Alphonsus Killelea, vice principal of BK's boys' division said of Br. Clark, "As superior of a large community and principal of a very active school, Mark was always busy. However, he was never too busy to take time to help those who needed him. He was always available and always most gracious, giving you the impression that you were doing him a favor when you requested his assistance."

Br. Clark entered the Christian Brothers in 1950. The majority of his religious life was spent in education. He passed away in 1986.

 John Mendick, Sr. – Benefactor, Alumni Parent

Just walking through the halls of Bishop Kearney reveals the influence of John Mendick Sr.

A parent of a Bishop Kearney graduate in the 1970s, Mendick has continued his relationship with the school as a friend and benefactor. Mendick and his family's foundation have provided funding for scholarships, a technology lab, and most recently, the Mendick Media Arts Center.

"Actually I don't think I'm deserving of this honor," Mendick said. "In all fairness, it's the foundation with my brother, Theodore, and sister, Cashmere, that should receive the credit. When Theodore died he left his estate and established this foundation geared toward education. My sister, who has also passed, also was involved."

"Bishop Kearney means a lot to my family. It's a great school, but any honor should go to my whole family."

Tom O'Neil – Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alumni Parent

Tom O'Neil confessed he was surprised to be named to Bishop Kearney's Hall of Fame.

"It's an honor," he said. "Especially since I'm a Cardinal Mooney graduate, which used to be Kearney's archrival."

Rivalry aside, O'Neil has been involved with Bishop Kearney since the early 1990s, when his children were students. Even after Dave, '95, and Leslie, '97, graduated, O'Neil remained active, volunteering in the sports boosters, as an announcer for football and basketball games, as the director of the basketball classic from 1999 to 2004, and for the past seven years, on the board of trustees. As vice chair of the board he served on the search committees for a new athletic director and principal.

"I have a strong belief in the school itself," O'Neil said of his involvement. "Whatever I can help with I want to try to do. The people are great. I really got hooked." 

Henry Juszkiewicz, '71 - Alumnus

Henry Edward Michael Juszkiewicz certainly has a wonderful life story so far. Born in Argentina after his Polish parents fled the aftermath of World War II, Juszkiewicz immigrated with his family to Rochester at the age of 5.

He grew up in Rochester and graduated from Bishop Kearney High School. While at BK, Juszkiewicz participated in softball, Boy Scouts, drama, and as a Big Brother to disadvantaged kids. He went on to earn degrees from Kettering University, the University of Rochester, and Harvard Business School.

Professionally, he blazed a trail in executive circles, and ultimately, in 1986, through his investment contacts, Juszkiewicz acquired the Gibson Guitar Division of Norlin Corp.He turned the company profitable in the first month, and it has been growing ever since.

Today, Juszkiewicz is on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Foundation, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rainforest Alliance and the Grammy Foundation. He founded the Gibson Foundation and Music Rising and is heavily involved in philanthropies throughout the world.

He is married with three children. 

Suzanne (Bartash) Spall, '66 – Member of the Board of Trustees, Alumna

Sue Spall is a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Kearney (1966), and through the years, the school has continued to hold a special place in her heart.

"Besides the great education I received, the friendships and values that I acquired still play an important part of who I am today," Spall said.

Spall has been an active volunteer in the greater Rochester community, donating her time to the PTSA in Pittsford, Girl Scouts, and the Friendly Home. In addition, Spall has volunteered on her reunion committees at Bishop Kearney and for the past seven years on the board of trustees. She has also served on BK's enrollment committee and principal search committee.

"I now see exactly how the efforts of many dedicated people - teachers, parents administration, and board members - help to set the tone of the school and shape the lives of all the students," she said. "I feel that what I do is such a very small part of the whole picture. You never feel as if you do enough and wish that you could do more."

Spall admitted that the best part of being in the Hall of Fame is receiving the award along with BK's "founding fathers", Sister Louis and Brother Clark, the first principals of the school.

"I am honored, I am grateful, but most of all overwhelmed to be chosen to be part of the Bishop Kearney Hall of Fame."

Spall is married with two daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandsons. 

Sr. Stephania Walczak, SSND -BK Faculty Member 

"I am humbled and honored to be inducted into the Bishop Kearney Hall of Fame," Sister Stephania Walczak, SSND, said. "I am especially grateful for the recognition, not just for myself, but for my religious community and my family as they have encouraged me both in my life and in my teaching ministry."

A Rochester native, Sister Stephania entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1953. For 11 years, she taught in New Jersey, while attending Seton Hall University. After earning her degree in education, she returned to Rochester to continue her teaching ministry.

She joined the faculty at Bishop Kearney in 1964, teaching English and religion. Four years later, she went to St. Margaret Mary School as principal, a position she held until 1974. At that time, she graced the BK hallways once again. She has served as the chairperson of the English Department for 12 years and moderator of the National Honor Society for 10 years. For the last few years, she has focused solely on teaching religion.  

Sr. Mary Louis Whalen, SSND – BK Administrator & Teacher

Sister Mary Louis Whalen, SSND, was the first vice principal for girls at Bishop Kearney High School during the years 1962 through 1968.With the first principal, Brother Mark Clark, Sister Louis was there at the opening of Bishop Kearny High School.  She and Br. Clark were the "Louis and Clark" expedition at BK.  In addition to being vice principal at Kearney, Sister Louis served as superior of the community of the School Sisters of Notre Dame living and teaching at BK.

Sister Mary Louis was born in Rochester in 1907.  After receiving her college degree in Chemistry, she entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1929 and professed her final vows in the SSND community in 1932.    In 1941 she received a master's degree in chemistry from The John Hopkins University.  At that time she was also a faculty member at the College of Notre Dame of Baltimore. 

Before coming to Bishop Kearney, Sister Louis taught chemistry at SSND schools in Boston and Brooklyn.

During her years as Vice Principal in charge of girls at Bishop Kearney, Sister Mary Louis was responsible for both the academic and extra curricular activities of the girls at the then new school.  She also supervised the teachers on the "girls' side" and scheduled all classes.  Another of her roles at that time was chief disciplinarian - for the girls only - she made sure every girl was in the right place at the right time. 

In June 1968, after spending six years helping with the development of the new Bishop Kearney High School, Sister Mary Louis was transferred  to the SSND's  College in Wilton,  Connecticut as a founding member of its faculty.  She later also taught at Holy Angels Academy in New Jersey, then returned to Bishop Kearney in 1975 as a teacher of chemistry for an additional three years. 

 Beginning in 1978, Sister Mary Louis volunteered at the Rochester Diocesan Office of Education.  She was also very active in parish ministry at St. Philip Neri Church in Rochester. 

Sister Mary Louis retired to Wilton, Connecticut in 1998 and celebrated her 99th birthday last August.  She looks forward to her 100th birthday celebration on August 15, 2007.