St. Patrick's Scholarship Fund
60 YEARS OF SCHOLARSHIPS!
In Memoriam
This page is dedicated to honoring those that we have recently lost.
They will be missed, but their memory and impact will continue on in the valuable work of the St. Patrick's Scholarship Fund and beyond.
William (Bill) Carroll
1943-2020
Committee Member
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One of the instrumental members of this committee for the past 45 years. His efforts and community contacts enabled this Scholarship Dinner to grow and flourish as it has today maintained its wonderful purpose for those students in need.
Bill was well known as the former President of Merit Insurance.
A graduate of Central High School and the University of Bridgeport, Bill was a former Barnum Festival Ringmaster, Trustee of St. Vincent’s Medical Center and very active in the field of education as he served as the Chairman of the Stratford Board of Education for over 15 years. His involvement in all his community activities are too numerous to name.
In addition to his philanthropic work in the greater Bridgeport area, Bill was a man of great faith as a husband, father, and grandfather. His vision and his personal relationships with people of all walks of life, has certainly made the greater Bridgeport area a better place to live because of his efforts.
Walter (Wally) Flynn Jr.
1943-2019
Committee Member
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A member of this committee who devoted so much time to the selection process of the scholarship recipients of this dinner. His tireless efforts have allowed many to attend higher education that would have otherwise not had the opportunity without his help.
Wally was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Boston College and received his law degree from Georgetown University. He practiced law with the firm of Goldstein and Peck for over 50 years.
Wally was well respected and well known throughout the area and dedicated numerous hours to causes in addition to this Scholarship Committee, such as the Board of Finance and Police Commission in Fairfield and the Father John Conlisk Irish Scholarship.
We are truly grateful for all that he did to make this scholarship dinner the success that it is today.
Eugene (Gene) O'Neill
1933-2020
Committee Member
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Gene was an individual whose life was dedicated to serving others. He believed in education and promoted this dinner through his numerous contacts and relationships throughout the city.
Gene was a member of the Bridgeport Police Department for over 37 years and retired as a Sergeant. But he was better known for his work in the community. His good natured ability to make connections with all types of people allowed him to help to numerous people with many simple requests. He was viewed as Bridgeport’s “unofficial mayor.”
As someone said recently, if you were fortunate to have known Billy Carroll and Gene O’Neill- your lives were better for it!!
2021 Honorees
2022 Honorees
Bob Jacko
1930 - 2021
Bill Kupinse
1939 - 2021
Tom Casteleot
1952-2020
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Tom Castelot, a good friend and strong supporter of the St. Patrick’s Scholarship Committee.
Tom devoted over 40 years of community service in this area. He served the City of Bridgeport on numerous boards and was especially devoted to the Black Rock Community where he was the President of the St. Mary’s Point Association and a board member of the Burroughs Community Center. His other community endeavors included active involvement with the Red Cross, United Way, Discovery Museum, Laurel House, and most recently as the chair of the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation.
Tom was a true people person and loved spending time with his family and friends. His love of life and his willingness to give back to others certainly made him a “shining light” in the greater Bridgeport area.
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James Curran
1960-2020
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Jim graduated from Shelton High School and Northwood University. He and his family have and continue to be great philanthropic supporters and benefactors for numerous causes in this community as a result of their work with the family owned Curran Volkswagen dealership.
His belief in education and helping those achieve their goals when they either needed a “financial” push or just some overall words of encouragement- certainly has benefited the St. Patrick's Scholarship committee and many others in the surrounding area.
Peter Brawley
1952-2020
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Peter Brawley, who along with his family, have been long time supporters of this event. His daughter, Caitlin, was also a recipient of this Scholarship many years ago and he knew what an impact his dinner had to help those with their higher education aspirations.
Peter was a graduate of Fairfield Prep and Amherst College. He devoted numerous hours to many causes in Stratford and especially the Lordship community. His love of the Irish heritage, passion for the water, and his devotion to his family will long not be forgotten.
We are fortunate to have had his support and his values and belief in education have helped this dinner prosper.