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On Thursday, April 26th, Mount St. Michael Academy will honor six members the Mount community as Legends of the Mount. As you will read below, these devoted and distinguished Mountaineers have demonstrated the commitment and exemplary character that has been an inspiration to all that they have helped through the years in their professional and charitable endeavors.
We invite you to help us to honor them at the Fifth Annual Legends Dinner at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. In addition, in recognition of their relationship with the Mount, please consider placing an advertisement and/or celebratory message in the Journal commemorating the Mount and its new Legends.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ORDER DINNER TICKETS, SPONSORSHIP OR JOURNAL ADS
Bro. Robert LeClerc
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Bro Robert LeClerc
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Brother Robert's hardy French Canadian stock and upbringing in St. John's Bury in eastern Vermont prepared him for his role as a facilities administrator at the Mount.
Embracing the values of Marist founder St. Marcellin Champagnat that all "students should be challenged and stimulated academically, socially, spiritually, and physically," Bro Robert started hiring students like Frank Pelligrino to saw wood, lift beams and do any job needed to keep the Mount in healthy shape. Brother Robert also had time for any student that needed academic help or counseling, and worked many after school hours just to make sure that a student would do well on a test or be prepared for graduation.
Mrs. Millie Bebick
 | | Mrs. Millie Bebick |
In 2012 Mrs. Millie Bebick will complete her 30th year of working at the Mount and will have the honor of being the Mount's first woman Legend!
During her tenure, Millie Bebick has taken on the herculean task of working for-and breaking in-all four of the Mount's Presidents and ten principals. Quite an accomplishment, when you add that Millie also worked as assistant to the Mount's Board of Directors from 1992 until 2006.
In 2002 Millie was named a Marist Affiliate by the Marist Brothers. Provincial affiliation is extended to men and women who contribute to the Brothers and ministries of the Province.
William "Zeke" O'Connor '44
 | Zeke at the dedication of his namesake
school in Nepal |
William "Zeke" O'Connor '44 has been prolific in his many careers. After a distinguished professional career with the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and the Toronto Argonauts, Zeke claimed success as a public relations executive at Sears in Canada.
But it was a meeting and friendship with Sir Edmund Hillary that inspired Zeke to honor the spirit of service that is a foundation of Marist values by founding the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation in 1975. Since then, the foundation has participated in numerous humanitarian joint ventures with Nepal and with New Zealand that has included setting up schools, building medical clinics and monasteries, setting up water pipelines and funding the Kunde Hospital. In May 2011 the Zeke O'Connor High School was opened in the village of Phaplu and named in honor of Zeke.
Robert Burke '60 (awarded posthumously)
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Robert J. Burke '60
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Robert J. Burke '60 built his career upon the foundation of hard work and understanding he gained at the Mount. It was this rare combination of traits that made Bob so memorable to those in his professional and personal life.
He served his country, as a quartermaster in the U.S. Navy, aboard the USS Intrepid, and also served the public by becoming a NYC Transit Police Officer and then a New York State Police Officer. Bob then started a new career-driving a bus for Club Transportation in Westchester. While a bus operator he was elected a union officer in the Transport Workers Union Local 100. Bob worked his way up to management and through his tenacious effort, risk taking and professional acumen, he founded the Queens Surface Corp. in 1988, and co-owned it with his wife Myra.
Patrick Hennessy '61
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Pat and Mary Hennessy
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Pat has achieved great success as a lawyer specializing in taxation and has had a notable, global career as a Partner at Deloitte and Touche.
Also prominent is Pat's prolific work in public service and philanthropy his entire life. In Florham Park, he served over 7 years as a Borough Councilman. He was the President of the Florham Park Little League as well as a founder of a Morris County youth hockey group, based out of the Mennen Arena in Morristown, New Jersey. Pat became a member of Cooperation Ireland's Board of Directors and its Treasurer. He served for a number of years on the Board of Mount Saint Michael and became its Chairman. It was really his pleasure to give back to the Mount, if only in a small way, for all that it had done to prepare him for life.
Bronx Region Special Olympics Coordinators: Bill White and Carole Allen
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Carole Allen
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Both Bill Allen and Carole White are inspired by the words of the athletics' oath "let me win, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," these words reflect their value system and their commitment to serving others.
Bill and Carole became involved with the Bronx Special Olympics over three decades ago. They began as volunteers, and then became chaperones and coaches to these Special Olympians.
Recognizing the value of volunteerism and the need to serve in the community, Bill steered the
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William White
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Bronx Special Olympics with its area games at Mount Saint Michaels Academy. Bill is also an advisory board member to the Bronx Special Olympics.
Carol coaches several sports and takes care of the day to day operations at the Special Olympics office in the Bronx. She along with others reaches out to the community seeking volunteers for our numerous activities.
Bill and Carole's dedication to serving these special athletes is best illustrated by the many competitions where some of these athletes have won global recognition.
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