Man of the Year 2013

Mr. Mark D. Lee ‘85

 

Mark Lee was born on December 15th, 1967 to Bob and Anna Lee.  He was the 2nd born of 4 children.  Eric was the oldest, Michelle came after Mark, and Steven (Class of ’95) was the baby.  He attended St. Carthage Elementary on 73rd and Yale, before following in the footsteps of his cousin Sylvester Butler (Class of ’77) and his brother Eric (Class of ’81) and attended Leo High School.

 

Mark tried his hand at baseball in his freshmen year, but after trying to field baseballs bouncing off the gym floor, he decided to focus on his academics.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in 1985 with an academic scholarship to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago.

 

Mark graduated with a degree in the teaching of English.  He married a wonderful young lady named Isslee Harris, who is now stuck with the name Isslee Lee, in 1991, and also began his teaching career with CPS.  He has worked at Farragut, Corkery, Galdstone, and is currently at Richards Career Academy in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

 

In addition to teaching, Mark was the basketball coach at Corkery and began mentoring young men on the Westside in 1994.  Mark and his brother Eric often talked about formalizing this mentoring program with a goal of getting some of their classmates from Leo to help them keep kids on the right path, and possible even sponsor them at Leo.

 

In 2001, two things happened that would change Mark’s life forever.  Isslee gave birth to the most wonderful little girl he could ask for Isslee Jene Lee.  Later that same year, Eric Lee was shot and killed in the line of duty as a Chicago Police Officer.  One event devastated him and made him question everything, the other gave him to reason to endure and continue on his mission to try and help young people in Chicago.

 

The day before Eric’s death, Mark was speaking to a young man that he was mentoring, and telling him that he was going to call his big brother, so they could set a date to get Leo Alumni from their classes together, to talk about ways to raise money for Leo, and help young men.  He never got to make that call, but there was no stopping him from making what they had talked about happen; now he had the perfect name, The Eric D. Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund.  With the help of family and friends, the fund has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Leo HS, sponsored students at Leo and supported students’’ educational goals.

 

Tragedy once again stuck the Lee family, when the unthinkable happened in 2010, Steven Lee was caught in the crossfire and killed as he walked home from his birthday party.  Now named The Eric and Steven Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund, and inspired by the strength of Bob and Anna, they still remain standing, and committed to supporting Leo and our young people, and living up to Leo’s Motto of Facta Non Verba.

 

 

 

Doctor Thomas P. Driscoll Award 2013

Mr. Richard L. Furlong ‘59

 

Rich came to Leo from St. Helena of the Cross-where he was the only member of his class to attend Leo.  He was a member of the honor roll his junior and senior years, and sang in the glee club his first two years.  When he graduated he went on to the University of Illinois.  Rich retired after nearly 40 years in the insurance industry, leaving as Assistant Vice-President of The Specialty Operations Claim Department at Continental Casualty Company.

 

He was a very active member of his community.  In his “spare time” Rich spent 31 years as an IHSA basketball and football referee.  He coached for 15 years at all levels for the Tinley Park Baseball Association and served as that organizations commissioner for the last 12 years.  He also coached 8th grade boys’ basketball at St. George School for 6 years and capped off his service there by serving as the schools’ athletic director for 4 more years.

 

It was 18 years ago that Rich began directing his effort back to Leo.  In that time Rich has served as his class captain for his classes 40th and 50th reunions, both of which produced very large numbers of attendees.

 

As if that were not enough Rich has served as our association’s treasurer for 12 years, then moved into the presidency serving two, two year terms.

 

After moving out of the presidency Rich and his recently deceased wife Nanette have run the golf outing for the last two years and Rich will continue on in that capacity.

 

Rich has three children, Kelly, Brian and Doug and 8 grandchildren.

 

 

 

Community Service Award 2013

Mr. Michael J. Anderson ‘91

 

 

Michael J. Anderson, Class of ’91, spent his four years at Leo playing in the band, playing baseball, briefly wrestling, playing football, acting as Class President of the Class of ’91 and graduating as Salutatorian of his class.  He is a Purdue Graduate, and a family man.   With the support of the love of his life Maia, he is able to manage a full time job, five children, four girls and one boy, and endless hours at Leo coaching or off recruiting for Leo.  Mike was invited to coach baseball in Canaryville by Leo alum, Brian Fogarty.  This collaboration, along with earlier effort has led to the “re-integration” of Leo HS, without incident.

 

Mike had developed and is striving to implement the L(eo) A(lumni) M(entoring) P(rogram).  It is a program to help youth become prepared for life through mentoring, job awareness, professional etiquette, job shadowing, job internship and job placement.  Alumni are encouraged to participate.

 

Mike’s post graduate activities include revitalizing the “younger alumni group”.  Spearheading, with alumni Corey Walden ’87, Kevin Griggers ’88, Seron Smith ’89, Travis Gillam ’89, Deshawn Mills ’91 and others, the Leo Alumni Picnic and actively seeking younger alumni participation in the gala Alumni Banquet, meetings and Golf Outing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

James A. Stankiewicz M.D. ‘66

 


Jim Stankiewicz grew up in St. Sabina and played on the CYO City Championship grammar school basketball team in 1962.  He graduated from Leo in 1966.  He played basketball, baseball, and football (freshmen) at Leo was co-captain of the 1966 Catholic League Champion Lightweight basketball team under Coach Tom O’Malley.  He won the Athletic and Academic Award at graduation.  Stanks then attended college at the University of Chicago (U of C) graduating in 1970 with a B.A.  He played baseball and football at the U of C and was All Conference (baseball) in 1970.  He received his MD from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the U of C in 1974 and then completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear, Nose, and Throat) in 1978.  He was a U.S. Marine, PFC, and Navy physician, Lt. Cmdr., finishing his tour of duty in 1980.  He remained in the Navy reserves and was activated for Desert Storm in 1992 as a Commander.  In 1980, he joined the faculty at Loyola Medical School and Hospital as an assistant professor.  He is at present Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Loyola.  He has written over 200 papers, chapters, and books and given over 500 presentations at medical meetings and courses.  He is a surgeon and internationally known for his work in the diagnosis and treatment of nasal and sinus disorders.  He has been awarded Best Doctor designation for clinical excellence in Chicago and the US for 20 years on a row.  He is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  He is past president of the Chicago Laryngological and Otological Society (CL & O) and the American Rhinological Society (ARS).  He was on the Leo Alumni Board in the past and continues to be very supportive of Leo High School.



 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

Dr. Lawrence J. McCaffery Ph.D. ‘43

 

 

After graduating from Leo in 1943, I enlisted in the Coast Guard and served on a Patrol Frigate in the Atlantic.  Following the World War II, I earned a B.A. from St. Ambrose University, an M.A. from Indiana University and a PhD from the University of Iowa.  I have written and edited a number of books on Irish and Irish-American history, published articles on the same subjects and Irish and Irish-American literature. In 1960, I cofounded the American Conference for Irish Studies and have served terms as its president and president of the American Catholic Historical Association.  I was a consultant to and appeared in the 1997 documentary The Irish in America: Long Journey Home and technical advisor to the 2002 film The Road to Perdition. In 1982, St. Ambrose University awarded me with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities; five years later the National University of Ireland designated me Honorary Doctor of Letters.  In 1992, I retired from Loyola University of Chicago as Professor of History Emeritus.  I live with my wife Joan in Evanston.  We have three children, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.





 

 

 

 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

Ms. Natasha Adams

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Ms. Natasha Adams grew up on the Southside of Chicago where she attended Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School.  Upon graduating from Bunche she went on to Richards Vocational High School and received her diploma.  She then went on and attended Tyler School of Secretarial Sciences where she graduated and received her degree.  In 1996, she started working at Leo High School where she has been for the last 17 years serving as Administrative Assistant.  Ms. Adams also has served on the Advisory Board for Leo High School.


Leo High School is proud to name Ms. Natasha Adams, mother of Tim and Timaya, to the Class of 2013 Leo High School Hall of Fame.  Ms. Adams has served the students, families, alumni, faculty and staff with many years of patient professionalism and heart-felt loyalty to the school’s mission and motto of Facta Non Verba.

 

 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

Mr. William R. Murphy ‘58



Bill entered Leo High School in 1954 after graduating from Annunciata Parish School.

 

While at Leo, Bill was a member of the lightweight football team for one year and heavyweight team for three years.  He was a starting halfback on the 1956 Catholic League/City Championship team and 1957 Catholic League South Section Co-Championship team.


Bill graduated in 1958 and was awarded a four-year football scholarship to Indiana State University.  He was a starting fullback on the Sycamores’ varsity football team.  He then joined the Army and was a cryptographer in the Army Security Agency with a top-secret clearance.

 

After his military service, Bill started with Archer Daniels Midland at the Board of Trade and later began his career in the transportation industry as a Traffic Manager with Hi-Life Packing Company and Rival Pet Foods.  He joined Roadway Express as a Sales Representative and was promoted to Sales Manager and then to District Sales Manager.  He was the recipient of multiple awards during his career.

 

Although Bill and his family have lived in several places in the Midwest, he was active in each community.  Among his various activities: Parish Council member at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Bettendorf, IA), Seton Catholic School Boys Baseball and Girls Softball coach (Moline, IL), Moline Little League Manager, Girls Softball coach (Sherrard, IL), Alleman High School Booster Club football coach (Rock Island, IL), and St. Michael Parish (Orland Park, IL) Religious Education Teacher.

 

Bill is an active participant in Leo alumni activities.  These include Campaign Leo, 50th Year Reunion Committee, spring banquets, golf outings, and decal/patron fund-raising.

 

Bill enjoys golf, travel, college/high school football and all sports.  However, he enjoys most spending time with his family and friends.  Bill and his wife, Pat, have three children and three grandchildren.



 

Hall of Fame 2013

Mr. William P. Figel ‘72



Bill Figel, ‘72 transferred into Leo High School months after he was told at Quigley South that he “lacked the calling” and should find another school.


At the graduation party of Cousin Bob Standring ‘70, Figel was introduced to Irish Christian Brother Bart Patitucci, whose invitation to Leo and a chance to try out for the Lightweight basketball team struck the right chord.  Figel played basketball and baseball for “Tuch” for two years, which created an opportunity to play at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN.  The lifelong friendships made on that lightweight team with teammates Ed Phelan, Bill Dorrington, Jim Guimond, Jim Fitzgerald, Tim Coleman, Ed Kearny, Matt Morrissey and others still hold strength today.


Figel has been involved in media for more than 30 years, following teaching and coaching tenures at Saint Felicitas and Brother Rice in his early 20s.  A Chicago Sun-Times and Southtown Economist reporter from 1980 to 1988, Mr. Figel was also a boxing columnist for Bill Gleason’s Chicago Sports Magazine.  While in Washington D.C., Figel served as a television reporter and radio reporter while earning a Master Degree in Journalism from Northwestern Medill.


Figel has provided publicity, consulting work and media relations training over the years for real estate firms, corporate groups, small businesses, politicians, executives, unions and sports teams.

 

In a volunteer capacity, Figel has served as: President of the Beverly Arts Center Chicago, board member for the Epilepsy Foundation, Morgan Park School Board member, on-air talent and writer for CRIS (Chicagoland Radio Information Service), as well as for Highsight, a scholarship fundraiser for inner-city students.  Recently, he and Mike Nix have been donating their time presenting life skills programs such as job interviewing, etiquette and sportsmanship to students at Leo High School.

 

Bill and his wife, Kathy, a teacher, reside in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood with their three teenage children, Lily Jinyi, Frannie and Will.

 

 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

Mr. Harold Blackmon ‘96

 

 



Harold Blackmon was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago.  He attended Leo High School from 1992-1996.  During his freshmen year, Harold played basketball, football and ran track.  Harold a three year old starter for the football team and also ran the anchor leg on both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 state qualifying relays in his Jr. Year.  In his Jr. and Sr. season Harold also helped the Track team win the Chicago Catholic League Championship.  After High School Harold attended Northwestern University on a Football scholarship where he majored in Psychological Services.  While at NU Harold was a 4 year starter and was named team captain in his Sr. year.  Also during his time at Northwestern Harold was part of two Big Ten Championship teams and currently holds the record for most passes defended and is 6th on NU’s all-time list for most interceptions.  After his career at Northwestern Harold was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and played two seasons at Defensive Back before returning home to Chicago.  During the 2009 and 2010 Football season, Harold served as an assistant football coach under Mike Holmes.  Today, Harold is the Head Coach of the St. Laurence Vikings football team.  He currently resides in South Shore with his 11 year old son Jai’el and wife Rachelle.


“It is wise to keep in mind that neither failure nor success is ever final.” - Roger Babson



 

 

Hall of Fame 2013

Mr. Mike Nix ‘76

 


The same skills that Mike Nix brought down 79th Street into Leo High School are the same skills that lifted him to the top of his profession in a myriad of business and turnaround challenges.


“Leo was the ultimate finishing school for someone like me who was aggressive and eager to get things done,” said Nix.  “Leo, its faculty, and its students have a way of setting your compass for all the challenges life brings you, so you never get lost.”

 

With a GPA of 3.6 and a degree in street smarts, Nix attended and graduated from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN.  A Political Science major, Nix embraced the world of hospitality, honing his skills and expanding his horizons beyond Chicago’s Southside.  



In 2003, a professional recruiting consultant realized Nix was exactly the talent needed to guide the Beverly Arts Center Chicago.  At the time, Nix was managing the Drury Lane Martinique in Evergreen Park but agreed to tackle a Beverly Arts Center in need of fiscal leadership and management.

 

Nix retired $5 million in debt over a nine-year period while juggling a multi-million dollar budget that created jobs, launched careers and turned the BAC into one of the City’s finest destination for the arts.


Returning recently to Leo, Nix has introduced a “Life Skills” program to the students that features etiquette classes, job interviews skills and personal finance programs.


Nix was a two-sport athlete at Leo - football and swimming.  Nix grew up in Little Flower parish and later Christ the King, where his parents still reside.  Mike is the third of four children born to Colleen and Jim Nix.

 

When Nix finally retired his suitcase, he and his lovely wife Roxanna located in Evergreen Park where they raised their three sons Ryan, Sean and Seamus.

 

“You take Leo with you wherever you go in Chicago because it says volumes about who you are - and you are who you grew up with as a young man.  I will forever be proud of my Leo heritage.”



 

Hall of Fame 2013

Mr. Daniel M. Earner ‘82

 


Daniel M. Earner, Class of 1982, came to Leo from Most Holy Redeemer School.  He and five of his brothers carried on an Earner family tradition of attending Leo, following in their father Gene’s (1950) footsteps.  While at Leo, Dan participated in Student Council and was a member of the National Honor Society.  He excelled academically, finishing #2 in his graduating class.  Dan went on to the University of Notre Dame where he majored in History, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.  

 

After college, Dan started his working life at the Chicago Board Options Exchange.  Over the years, he has worked in various areas of the Exchange, most recently in the Regulatory Services Division.  Dan recently celebrated 25 years with CBOE.


Dan returned to his studies in recent years, pursuing an MBA from St. Xavier University specializing in Financial Fraud Examination.  He is due to receive his degree in May 2013.  



Dan is involved in his parish church, Most Holy Redeemer, where he currently serves an as usher.


Dan began to get more involved in Leo Alumni when he served as his class captain for his Silver Jubilee in 2007.  Since that time, he has deepened his commitment to the organization, first being named to the Board of Directors and later becoming an Officer.  He is currently serving as Alumni Recording Secretary.  Dan is quick to volunteer his time and talents to the Alumni Assoc. wherever needed, whether at the Banquet, the Golf Outing or serving as the Decal Chairman.  His dedication and love for Leo and the Alumni are evident.  “I am forever grateful to my parents and teachers for my Leo education.  I am proud to be part of this vibrant Alumni Assoc. and want to see it continue for years to come.  I am honored and humbled to be welcomed into the Leo Hall of Fame.”