A Legacy of Brotherhood and Support: The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association

Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, affectionately known as "North," stood as a pillar of Catholic education in Philadelphia from 1926 to 2010. Though the school's doors have closed, its spirit lives on through the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association. This association, born from a desire to maintain the bonds forged within the school's walls, has evolved into a powerful force for supporting Catholic education for future generations.

Origins and Purpose

The seeds of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association were sown during the school year. Father George A. Mahoney, OSFS, the Class Moderator, recognized the importance of fostering a lasting connection among the graduates. His suggestion to form an alumni association was met with enthusiastic approval.

In 1929, the Association adopted its first constitution, outlining its core mission: "to form a more perfect brotherhood, to create fraternalism and good fellowship among the graduates, clergy, and supporters of the Northeast Catholic High School." This purpose remains the guiding principle of the Association, which strives to keep the ideals and traditions of Northeast Catholic alive. The Association's motto, "Tenui nec dimittam" (I have taken hold, and I will not let go), reflects its commitment to preserving the legacy of the school.

Organizational Structure

The Association is administered by the Executive Board, comprised of eleven elected officers, and the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors includes two elected Class Representatives from each graduating class, with currently 36 members.

Current Northeast Catholic Alumni Association Officers:

President: James F Kelly
1st Vice President: Michael A Ferris
2nd Vice President: John Devine
3rd Vice President: Joseph Pilawsky
4th Vice President: Greg Masi
Secretary: Jeffrey W Brown
Assistant Secretary: Robert J Kensil
Exec Secretary/Treasurer: Stephen A Cardullo
1st Assistant Treasurer: John Garson
2nd Assistant Treasurer: David Shafie
Historian: Thomas P Morgan

A History of Leadership: Association Presidents

The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association has been guided by numerous dedicated presidents throughout its history. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Association's mission and ensuring its continued success.

Past Association Presidents:

Rev John Conmy (June 10, 1929 - January 14, 1931)
Frank T McKee (January 14, 1931 - January 20, 1935)
John W Brecht (January 20, 1935 - December 27, 1936)
Rev James McGuire (December 27, 1936 - December 26, 1937)
William P Robinson MD (December 26, 1937 - January 25, 1942)
Rev James McGuire (January 25, 1942 - July 6, 1942)
Paul J Kelly (July 6, 1942 - January 26, 1947)
George W Sommer (January 26, 1947 - December 16, 1947)
Bernard F Bygott (December 16, 1947 - November 27, 1949)
Charles J Quinn (November 27, 1949 - June 10, 1954)
Hon Joseph Murphy (June 10, 1954 - June 13, 1957)
James E Fitzgerald (June 13, 1957 - June 9, 1960)
Charles E Malone (June 9, 1960 - June 8, 1961)
James J Cox Jr (June 8, 1961 - June 13, 1963)
Patrick J Boyle (June 13, 1963 - June 9, 1966)
Leonard F Knobbs (June 9, 1966 - June 12, 1969)
Rocco G Iacone (June 12, 1969 - June 11, 1970)
J. William Arnoldy (June 11, 1970 - June 14, 1973)
Francis J Gleason (June 14, 1973 - June 10, 1976)
Anthony J Cendrowski (June 10, 1976 - June 9, 1977)
Raymond P Zegarski (June 9, 1977 - June 12, 1980)
Leonard F Knobbs (June 12, 1980 - June 9, 1983)
John T Musial (June 9, 1983 - June 30, 1986)
John R Hanejko (July 1, 1986 - June 30, 1989)
Thomas P Morgan (July 1, 1989 - June 30, 1992)
Francis J Gleason (July 1, 1992 - June 30, 1995)
James W Bollendorf (July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1997)
Stephen A Cardullo (July 1, 1997 - June 30, 2000)
Edward J White (July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2003)
Anthony J Colletta (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2006)
Edward J White (July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2009)
John J Hanejko (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2012)
John T Musial (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013)
Jeffrey W Brown (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016)
Albert P Waskiewicz (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2019)
Robert J Kensil Jr (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2024)
James F Kelly (July 1, 2024 - Present)

Association Chaplains:

Rev George A Mahoney OSFS Hon.
Rev George A Godley OSFS
Rev Francis X Quaile OSFS
Rev James Dalton OSFS Hon.

The Scholarship Fund: Nurturing Future Generations

A cornerstone of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association's mission is its Scholarship Fund. Founded on April 30, 1968, by then Alumni Association President Leonard F. Knobbs, '53, the Fund was established to provide tuition assistance grants to graduating seniors from NECHS to attend Allentown College of St. Francis deSales (now DeSales University).

The Fund received its Articles of Incorporation on January 22, 1969, granted by Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Griffiths. On February 13, the IRS recognized the Fund's charitable purpose, granting it tax-exempt status.

Expanding Horizons: From One College to Many

In 1973, the Board of Trustees broadened the Fund's scope to include LaSalle, St. Joseph's, Villanova, and St. Joseph's University. Over time, the number and value of tuition assistance grants increased. By 1992, the Fund was awarding $106,000 annually to four college students and twenty-one Northeast Catholic students.

Responding to Crisis: Supporting Northeast Catholic Students

Faced with the impending closure of Northeast Catholic, the Board of Trustees made a pivotal decision. They suspended future college grants and redirected resources to increase the number of tuition assistance grants for incoming Freshmen at NECHS. This resulted in 57 students receiving grants with an annual value of $165,000.

Adapting to Closure: A New Focus on Alumni Families

Following the closure of Northeast Catholic High School in 2010, the Board of Trustees adapted the Scholarship Fund to continue its mission of supporting Catholic education. Grants would now be awarded to the children and grandchildren of dues-paying members of the Alumni Association. In 2010, the grants were valued at $250,500 annually, increasing to $261,000 in 2013, and $300,000 in 2016.

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to NLC

A Diversified Approach: Supporting Catholic Education at All Levels

Commencing with the grants awarded in 2018, the Scholarship Fund allocated $500,000 as follows:

Five grants of $32,000 each to attend specific universities/colleges.
Five grants of $20,000 each, five grants of $16,000 each, five grants of $12,000 each, and five grants of $8,000 each to attend specific high schools.
Three grants of $9,000 each, four grants of $6,000 each, and three grants of $3,000 each to attend specific parochial grade schools.

The Scholarship Fund evolved again in 2022 and now includes Catholic Elementary and High Schools in the boundaries of the Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton Dioceses. This encompasses Diocesan schools, Private Catholic Elementary, Regional Catholic Schools, and Independent Catholic Mission Schools in these Dioceses. The college grants are limited to 4-year programs at any Catholic Colleges and Universities in Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties of Pennsylvania, with the exception of DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, an institution run by the Oblates of St Francis de Sales.

A Legacy of Giving: Millions Dedicated to Catholic Education

Since its inception, the Fund has expended over $6.3 million in helping young men and women further their Catholic education. The bulk of this, over $3.16 million, went to underwrite tuition for students at Northeast Catholic High School. Other major recipients include LaSalle, Holy Family, DeSales, and St. Joseph Universities; Roman Catholic, Father Judge, Little Flower, and Archbishop Ryan High Schools; and Our Lady of Port Richmond, St. Cecilia, St. Christopher, and St. Jerome parochial grade schools.

Continuing the Legacy: The FALCONWAY Program

The Northeast Catholic High School Alumni Association, through its FALCONWAY Program, is currently allocating $500,000 in tuition assistance for scholarships to specified Catholic colleges, high schools, and elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Diocese of Trenton, including St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and Allentown College of St. The scholarships are primarily for children and grandchildren of dues-paying members of the schoolâs Alumni Association.

The Scholarship Fund has an endowment in excess of $4 million, according to the latest Charity Navigator report. Last year, through tax-deductible donations and bequests, it raised $279,984 for the fund.

Read also: Map of Northeast Colleges

The School: Northeast Catholic High School for Boys

Northeast Catholic High School for Boys opened on September 8, 1926, as the fourth Diocesan High School in Philadelphia. The site for the school was purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad for $150,000. The school chose the Falcon as its symbol, representing a bird of prey that never lets go, faithfulness, and speed. The school colors, Cardinal Red and White, were chosen to honor Dennis Cardinal Dougherty and represent purity and fidelity.

The school was initially built to accommodate 1,500 students, but by the fall of 1935, enrollment had climbed to 2,300. In September 1953, Northeast Catholic was recognized as the world's largest Catholic high school for boys, with 4,726 students.

Academics and Extracurriculars

Northeast Catholic offered a comprehensive academic program, including Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses. The school also had a strong athletic program, participating in the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) and the PIAA. From 1926 until its closing in 2010, North Catholic won more Philadelphia Catholic League Championships in soccer (22), bowling (18), wrestling (13), and baseball (11) than any other Philadelphia Catholic High school.

Closure and Legacy

On October 8, 2009, Cardinal Justin Rigali announced the school's closure, effective the end of the 2009â2010 school year. In September 2011, The Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School purchased the North Catholic building and campus.

Alumni Activities and Events

The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association remains active, organizing events to foster camaraderie and celebrate the school's legacy. These include the annual Communion Breakfast and gatherings to honor veterans.

Recent Alumni News:

95th Communion Breakfast: Held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Canstatters.
Ernest Koschineg - Rest In Peace: Ernest "Ernie" Koschineg '61, the long time Vice Principal of Student Affairs and Disciplinarian, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Join Us on Veterans Day: The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association joined with Father Judge to honor all those who gave everything for this country from the only two Oblate schools in Philadelphia on Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, 2025.

Notable Alumni

Northeast Catholic High School has produced many distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields.

Samuel P. De Bow, Jr. - Men's National Soccer Team Coach. High School soccer Coach for 51 years.
John Doman '62 - Television & Film actor.
Frank Lefty Hoerst '35 - Major League pitcher with the Phillies in the 1940s.
John Idzik '46 - U of Maryland football standout and NFL Asst coach for Eagles and N.Y.
Bob (Hird) Kelly '81 - Local traffic reporter and T.V.
Frank "Bucko" Kilroy '39 - All-Pro lineman.
Frank Thomas Nordell - Won the National Interscholastic Cross Country Championship on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929.

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