2021 Hall of Fame Dinner 

Sunday, March 28, 2021
Please join us as we induct the newest members to the
Bergen Catholic High School Hall of Fame.
Special Tribute to Jack McGovern '76 (RIP)
This year's inductees include:

Jim Dowling '64  After graduation in 1964, Jim went AWOL from Bergen Catholic for almost 40 years as somehow life got in the way.  Bachelors and MBA degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson, were the tickets to Wall Street in September 1969.  During his 50 year career, his functions included research analyst, portfolio manager, investment banker, and principal in a private equity business.  One of his highlights was serving as chairman of a publicly-traded company for 6 years.  In 2010, Jim developed a new philosophy on philanthrophy, and in the process reconnected with Bergen Catholic.  Since then, he has been an important contributor to the school's capital projects and has worked closely with BC President Brian Mahoney on strategy and implementation.  Jim's return culminated at the 2018 Crusader Gala, where his entire class was honored.  Jim and two classmates were awarded the Founders Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the school.  Jim is an active contributor to other area institutions including Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, where he was just appointed to the Board of Trustees, and the Institute for Educational Achievement, a school for children and young adults with autism where his wife Joanne serves on the Board of Trustees.  

Gerard Maron '87  While at Bergen, Gerard was active in many sports and activities.  He was a member of the soccer team and the indoor and outdoor track teams.  As a pole vaulter, Gerard excelled earning second team all-county honors and placing 2nd in the state sectional meet during his Senior year and setting two pole vaulting records that still hold today.  After Bergen he went on to earn a full tuition scholarship from Providence College, graduating in 1991 with a BS in accounting.  In 1997 he earned an MBA in finance from Columbia University.  He has been working at PwC for 29 years as a CPA and a partner in the deals advisory business.  He served on the Bergen Catholic Board from 2003 through 2012 and was Chairman of the Board from 2008 through 2012.  He is also a Bergen Catholic Class Chair and a member of the BC Alumni Board.  In 2013 he was awarded the Bergen Catholic Founders Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the school.  Gerard currently resides in Oradell with his wife of over 23 years, Christine, and their three children, Micaela (20), Erin (18) and Brian (16).  Brian is currently a sophomore at BC and will graduate in 2022.     

Jason May '03  Jason May was a standout on the BC Hockey Team.  He helped capture the school's first two Parochial and Tournament of Champions Trophies in 2001 & 2003.  The four year starter, two year Captain and all-time leading scoring defensemen with 125 points was named the North Jersey Record "Player of the Decade" in 2010.  Throughout his career at Bergen: Jason was also named North Jersey Player of the Year (x2), First Team All North Jersey (x2), First Team All Gordon Conference (x2), Bergen Record's Athlete of the Week (March 2001), First Team All-State & Second Team All State (x2).  The '03 State Championship team which Jason was a part of, will be inducted into the 2020 NJ HS Hockey Hall of Fame for their 21-1-2 season which saw them capture a Gordon, Parochial & ToC Championship in what was the best season in school history.  Jason and his wife Christina live in Hoboken.  Jason continues to support the program and participates in the BC Alumni Hockey Games whenever possible.  

Mike Morgan '84  Mike enjoyed an outstanding career at Bergen Catholic as a tailback in football and as a shortstop in baseball.  His accomplishments on the gridiron earned him national and statewide recognition.  As a three-year starter, he scored a total of 306 points overall (including 49 TDs), rushed for 2,980 yards and 41 TDs, made 26 catches for 376 yards and five scores, and even threw a TD pass.  Including his totals as a thrilling kickoff and punt returner, he amassed an amazing total of 4,198 All Purpose yards.  His total of three Punt Return TDs stands as a career school record, and he ranks in second place in career Total Points, Total TDs, Rushing Yards, and Rushing TDs.  Despite having his senior season cut short due to a broken ankle, he was selected to Bally's "Super 100" All-American Team and was an All-State and All-Parochial All State Selection for the second straight year.  On the Bergen County front, he was a two-time All County honoree and was also selected to The Record's All-Decade Team for the 1980s.  His sensational performance during the 1982 season spearheaded the Crusaders to an 11-0 record, the program's first national ranking (#10 in the USA Today poll), and the top rating in the State of New Jersey.  Mike, who recently retired after a career at UPS, is the youngest of seven brothers.  He lives in Rochelle Park with his wife Denise.  He has three children: Erin DeSpirito (Anthony), Jack, and Kelly. 

Francesca Tambone-Puzio  Francesca has a singular ability to recognize and foster other people's gifts.  At the age of 16, Francesca emigrated from Italy with her parents, Michael and Rosa, her siblings Gregorio, Lucia, and Annamaria.  She quickly learned English while studying at Pascack Hills HS.  She continued her education at Seton Hall University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Med Biology/Modern Languages and two Master's degrees: one in Education and another in Catholic School Leadership and Administration.  She spent 29 years in various posts at Bergen Catholic, including Assistant Principal of Academics, Director of the Office for International Students, Guidance Counselor, World Language Chair, moderator of the World Language Honor Societies, Student Government Moderator, Drama Moderator, teacher, coach, and developer of the SHIELD Student Leadership Program.  She helped develop the Action Student Leadership Workshop for the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers in North and South America, and examined China's education system on a College Board trip to Beijing.  Francesca earned the Archdiocese of Newark's Outstanding Educator Award and Service to Youth Ministry Award.  She was BC's Teacher of the Year, and had a Crusader yearbook dedicated to her.  Francesca is currently Academic Dean at the Academy of the Holy Angels and has been married to John Puzio, fellow BC Hall of Famer, for 27 happy years.  Live Jesus in our hearts......forever.

Special Tribute to Jack McGovern '76 (RIP)
Jack was inducted into the BC Hall of Fame in 2002 for playing football at BC (’76) and in college at Holy Cross. This tribute will be recognizing Jack as our Athletic Director and his dedication for all things Bergen Catholic.   Besides family, BC was Jack’s passion, and in particular, helping to develop the boys who came through to become better each and every day, not only as athletes, but more importantly to become better men.  Jack took great pride in helping to build our athletic program into one of the best in the country. This recognition is well deserved and we are grateful to the McGovern Family for supporting our request to include this tribute to Jack in the 2020 Hall of Fame Reception.

Seasons
644 Pascack Road, Washington Township, NJ 07676
Cocktails: 5:00 p.m. - Dinner - 6:00 p.m.
Click the 'Register Now!' button for more information!