Congratulations to our 2021 Inductees

At eleven years old, David joined the Union City Ambulance Corp, thus beginning his life lived in service to others. He later earned his EMT certification there in 1990, as a sophomore at Hudson Catholic.
 
Upon graduation from Hudson Catholic in 1992, David worked as an EMT for the Jersey City Medical Center and for Newark’s University Hospital EMS. In 1994, David received an associate’s degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and started working as a paramedic for the Jersey City Medical Center. In 1997, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach to the football team and an athletic trainer, for the next two years.
 
David became a Port Authority Police Officer in August 2000, serving the people of New York and New Jersey. Barely more than a year later, on September 11, 2001, David Lemagne, age 27, rushed from Journal Square to the World Trade Center in response to the terrorist attacks, where he attempted to rescue victims trapped in the towers. Sadly, David perished in the fall of the towers while trying to save others. He had been told by his commanding officer to remain in Journal Square, but convinced the C.O. to let him go to the WTC because he was a certified EMT and would be needed to treat the injured. This young man not only dedicated his life in service to others, but ultimately gave that life in such service.
 
David Lemagne was posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.

Mr. Richard Garibell retired as President/Principal on December 31st, 2020 after a distinguished 50-year career in education, as teacher, administrator, and institutional leader, starting in the Paterson public school system.

Mr. Garibell provided the professional command and steady hand that was needed at one the most critical times in school history, joining us in September 2012, stewarding the first class of graduating females through commencement, and presiding over the strengthening of our academic programs during his tenure.
 
Richard came to us at the time that Paterson Catholic closed its doors, and served Hudson Catholic for nine years, our third and longest serving President.

He presided over the strengthening of our academic curriculum, including the Dual Enrollment Program, established with St. Peter's University, that allows our Honors students to attend classes on both campuses and acquire transferable college level credits up to and including an Associates Degree from SPU upon high school graduation.

He leaves on a high note, having established the Medical Arts Program this year, a three-year program that provides students with an entree to a variety of medical and health related fields and prepares them to move on to college level studies in these fields of interest.

Perhaps Richard's greatest legacy is one of the greatest accomplishments of an Administrative and Faculty Team in the history of Hudson Catholic Regional High School -- the ability to adjust to teaching virtual and in-class students simultaneously during the pandemic by creating a curriculum and schedule that met our high standards for education, engaged our students, maintained health and safety for all, and enabled students to have a semi-normal year interacting with their classmates and friends during a time of quarantine and isolation.

Hudson Catholic is grateful to Richard Garibell for his stellar leadership of the institution and loyal support of our students and families in the Hudson Catholic community.

Br. Francis McCormick - Principal 1964, 1965
Br. Thomas Caldwell - Principal 1966-1968
Br. Luke Maher - Vice Principal 1965-1968
Br. Robert Annas                      Br. Francis J. Diamond
Br. Norbert Dunn                       Br. Matthew Hogan
Br. Lloyd Hepburn                     Br. Martin Zewe
Br. Albert Lautenslager            Br. Patrick King
Br. Bernard Gresh                     Br. Richard Kestler
Br. James McGowen                  Br. Leonard Lubbehusen
Br. Bernard Bilicki                     Br. John Condon
Br. Benedict Brown                   Br. Joseph T. Meyers
Br. Henry Laffey                        Br. Eadbert Moran 
Br. Brenden Donnelly                

On August 18, 1964, a group of six Brothers of the Christian Schools arrived in Jersey City to the parish of St. Patrick’s on Bramhall Avenue in downtown Jersey City, to take up the duties of handling their young charges, 142 incoming freshmen in the Class of 1968 on September 9th. These students would become forever known as the first graduating class of Hudson Catholic, themselves enshrined in the very first Hall of Fame inductions in 2005. Pictured to the left, in that first year, left to right, are Brothers Albert Lautenslager, Robert Annas, Norbert Dunn, Francis McCormick (our first Principal), Lloyd Hepburn, and Bernard Gresh (now Mr. Sean Gresh).
 
Over the course of that year, and the three years to follow, they were joined by 16 other Christian Brothers, including surviving members Patrick King (a first year Hall of Fame inductee), Richard Kestler, Joseph Meyers, and future HC Principals Luke Maher and Martin Zewe.
 
These Brothers were responsible for selecting and installing a truly outstanding Lay Faculty and support staff that became the envy of other schools in Hudson County. They selected our school colors and mascot, began our traditions, and oversaw the concept and design of our beloved school emblem, The Sign of Faith that today adorns our walls, letterheads, school apparel, and this publication’s masthead.
 
All of our 7,500+ graduates are grateful for the legacy left to us by these pioneering educators, but none are more grateful for their journey to, and long residence in, Jersey City, than the first ten graduating classes who experienced these men first hand.
 
Other deceased members of this esteemed group are Brothers Thomas Caldwell, Francis Diamond, Benedict Brown, Brendan Donnelly, John Condon, James McGowen, Matthew Hogan, D. Leonard Lubbeheusen, and Eadbert Moran.