Fr. Marciano ’75 to award Medals of Honor at Epoch: The 2022 Gala for Hendricken

WARWICK, RI (April 15, 2022) – Fr. Robert L. Marciano, KHS ’75, President, is proud to announce that he will present two Bishop Hendricken Medals of Honor at Epoch: The 2022 Gala for Hendricken on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Fr. Marciano will honor Gary E. Furtado P’02, President and Chief Executive Officer of Navigant Credit Union; and posthumously to Br. Richard K. Grondin, C.F.C., founder of Epoch. The evening will begin at 6pm. Honor presentation will take place at 8pm.

The Medal of Honor is awarded by Bishop Hendricken’s president to those who actively promote, strengthen, and advance the school’s mission. The 2022 presentation marks only the second time ever that the award has been conferred. The only previous honoree was former Warwick Mayor and Rhode Island Governor Philip Noel.

“It is my privilege to present Bishop Hendricken’s highest honor to Gary Furtado and posthumously to Br. Grondin,” said Fr. Marciano. “As evidenced by their unique contributions and immense generosity, both men not only understand, but truly believe in, the positive impact that a Hendricken education has on young men. They truly embody our school’s mission.”

Through his involvement both as an alumni parent and leader of Navigant Credit Union, Gary Furtado has been instrumental in supporting Bishop Hendricken and its people. Through generous donations, Furtado and Navigant have funded awards presented to two faculty members each year: the Hawk of the Year Award and the Taking Flight Award. Furtado and his family have been a lifetime supporters of Catholic education, sending their son, Jeffrey ’02, to Bishop Hendricken and their daughter to St. Mary Academy – Bay View. An active presence in the community, Furtado serves on the Board of Directors of Little Sisters of the Poor and the Advisory Council for the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served at Navigant since 1979.

As the originator of Epoch in the 1980s, Br. Grondin has inspired generations of donors and benefactors to make Bishop Hendricken more accessible to young men who need financial assistance to attend. Br. Grondin served as a faculty member at Bishop Hendricken from 1976-1986. During his 40+ year career as a Christian Brother, he served several schools and communities, including Bergen Catholic High School and Iona Preparatory School. He passed away in 2005. Former Hendricken faculty, Br. Vincent McNally, C.F.C. and Br. James Devlin, C.F.C., will accept the medal on Br. Grondin’s behalf.

Furtado, Br. McNally, and Br. Devlin will be in attendance to accept the honors and deliver remarks to attendees. Tickets for Epoch: The 2022 Gala for Hendricken are on sale now at hendricken.com/epoch. All proceeds from the gala benefit tuition assistance for boys who wish to attend Bishop Hendricken, but need help to make it a reality.

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CONTACT: Christian Kabbas ’14
Director of Communications & Marketing
ckabbas@hendricken.com
401.889.5395