PROVIDENCE — It was the Garrahy family’s way of giving back to St. Patrick Parish for all the blessings that they had received in their formative years there.
When former Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy died in late January at the age of 81, it was his family’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donors should instead make a contribution to the parish’s school in the Smith Hill neighborhood attended by both the governor and his brother Ed.
When Ed’s wife Margaret “Peg” Garrahy died just three weeks later, the same invitation to help the school, that has now become St. Patrick Academy, was offered.
In all, more than $30,000 was donated in their memory, including generous contributions from Garrahy family members.
In appreciation for the family’s overwhelming generosity, St. Patrick Academy has dedicated the Garrahy Family Religious Studies Room in their honor.
“Our family is truly gratified that so many have chosen to remember my father and my aunt by making donations to St. Patrick Academy,” said John Garrahy, son of the late former governor. “These gifts will help to ensure that our parents’ faith-based legacy of service to the community will continue to be carried on by the students here.”
Garrahy made his remarks during the dedication of the religious studies room, a large open first-floor space on the east side of building – facing the Statehouse – that is used for religious instruction, including spiritual discussions led four times each week by St. Patrick Parish pastor, Father James Ruggieri.
“Their faith made them the people they were,” Father Ruggieri said of those for whom the room is dedicated. “The governor served us so faithfully because he was a man of faith.”
St. Patrick Academy is in the final year of transition from its ministry as the oldest Catholic elementary and junior high school in the state to a grades 9-12, co-educational high school, with a goal of providing a faith-based education to students whose families otherwise could not afford one. The school’s mission emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual formation and community service.
The tuition at St. Patrick Academy is $3,800 this year, although the individual cost to educate each of the 60 students currently enrolled in grades 8-11, is more than $10,000.
The school raises funds to meet that shortfall through corporate and personal donations, foundation grants and fundraising. The school has also benefitted from the technical and curriculum assistance provided by students and staff from Mount St. Charles and La Salle Academy.
This year, the school’s goal is to collect $400,000 in contributions.
The pastor said the funding from the Garrahy family would be vital to ensuring a continued strong education for students of the new St. Patrick Academy.
“We want our students to leave us as better people...people of great moral character,” Father Ruggieri said.
During the dedication, the room overflowed with members of the Garrahy family, many friends, school staff and students. Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, vicar general and moderator of the curia, blessed the room and everyone gathered.
Rachelin Guzman, 14, a member of the last eighth grade class this year who looks forward to beginning high school at St. Patrick Academy in the fall, was one of several students who volunteered to prepare the room for its dedication.
She said she was honored to have had a role in an event that was so important for her school.
“I’m glad that we helped in such a good cause for the school. This helps kids realize what St. Patrick Academy does for them,” she said.
Sophomore Karolyn Richardson said the Garrahys were setting a wonderful example for students through their generosity.
“If they can do it for the youth, we can do it for future generations,” Richardson said.
Following the dedication, Ed Garrahy, who coached the St. Patrick’s basketball team to a state championship in 1955, fondly recalled the great times he had while running the school gymnasium for 20 years, and the time he spent there with his late wife Peg organizing teen dances there.
Inspired by what the positive things he sees happening these days at St. Patrick Academy, he has contributed $10,000 to start an endowment at the school.
“It’s amazing what they are doing here,” Garrahy said. “This is a great school, and the pastor is amazing.”
Margherite Garrahy, the former first lady also praised the efforts of Father Ruggieri in providing a high-quality education strongly rooted in the Catholic faith.
“To evangelize these students is most important so that they may open their hearts to the love of Christ,” she said.
