COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | May 22, 2018
7
Honoring a Legend – Establishing a Legacy
Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation
of Santa Clara County
[email protected]
It was such fun to participate in
the large and loving party held by the
community of Saint Justin in honor of
George Santich. The event and those at-
tending recognized George’s 50 years of
service as a teacher, coach, mentor, role
model and friend.
After graduating from Santa Clara
University (SCU), George started his
teaching and coaching career at Saint
Lawrence. Lore states that there was a
mandated haircut, which he refused.
Saint Justin welcomed him and his
ponytail, and there he has stayed for
48 years. When George started at Saint
Justin School, I was in eighth grade. I
remember him as soft-spoken and kind.
My brother is known lovingly to
generations of Saint Justin families as
Coach Joe. He coached and mentored
Carolina Scipioni
Endowment and Planned Giving
Program Manager, Catholic
Community Foundation of
Santa Clara County
Every time I visit a parish in our dio-
cese, I’m able to appreciate the unique
culture and beauty that has been built
up by many generations. The active
members of each community have con-
tributed something during their lifetime
to build the kingdom of God, and some
even left behind material support for the
next generation to continue building.
After a recent meeting at Saint Mar-
tin of Tours Parish, the pastor asked if I
had a few minutes to go see something
inside the Church. “Let’s see if you
notice what is new,” he challenged me.
I saw it right away… how could I not
notice it? In an empty and silent church,
a light was shining bright on a beauti-
fully crafted altar. It was a magnifi cent
focal point – as it should be. Made by an
Italian craftsman, the base of the table
simulated the roots of a robust tree and
made me think of my own Catholic
roots and the tree of life.
After admiring the pieces for a few
minutes, he shared with me a detail
that made the whole altar look even
more beautiful. This would have not
been possible without the generosity
of parishioners, including that of Betty
Barnacle Dillane, a long-time parishio-
ner who remembered the parish in her
with George for 37 years. Together they
developed ball skills and life skills with
thousands of athletes, and their families.
My brother is now coaching at the high
school level. Of course the time with
George honed my brother’s coaching
skills. Far beyond that, George helped
my brother, a single dad, giving him
strength and example.
George’s legacy was broadly cel-
ebrated at the event. He was honored by
Santa Clara University and by the City
of Santa Clara. But in the end, it was all
about Saint Justin. Candi Diaz and her
team produced beautiful blue and gold
charger décor. Alumni proudly wore
name tags with our years of graduation.
We reconnected with fellow students,
one of whom, Father Rick Rodoni, was
in my brother’s class and is now my
pastor. We visited with more recent
friends whose children had gone there.
I actually learned that some of my SCU
friends had taught there early in their
careers with George.
The words from Karen Suty and
Kathy Almazol showcased George’s
incalculable impact on this community.
Themes emerged: quiet, understated,
faith-filled, strong, exacting, kind.
These are the qualities that informed
and formed countless students these 50
years. This is what has earned George a
rightful reference as LEGEND.
Honoring this legend, and solidify-
ing his legacy, were the goals of the
event. The words “legend” and “legacy”
come from the Greek for “ambassador.”
Like an ambassador, a legacy represents
the ideas and values of an individual
and carries them into the future.
In recognition of George’s ineff able
contributions to Saint Justin, the school
has established the George Santich En-
dowment to benefi t Saint Justin School. This
is a permanent fund, the grants from
which will be used to strengthen the
academic and athletic programs of Saint
Justin, focusing on the Gospel values
upon which the school was founded,
and by which all actions and activities
are governed.
At the Foundation we speak of FOR-
EVER VALUE, the idea that through
In Communion
will with a gift of a home.
My mind immediately shifted from
admiring the beauty and craftsman-
ship in these pieces to admiring this
extraordinary act of stewardship. The
table was no longer an object in my
eyes, it was a symbol of the faith and
hope passed on by one of our sisters
in Christ.
When the Church received the keys
to this home, it came with a letter from
the trustee of her estate that read, “It
was Betty’s wish that this house go
to the Church which sustained her
through the most diffi cult parts of her
life and nurtured her faith, allowing
her to go on. I hope the money it brings
will help the Church to help others.”
What a blessing for someone to be able
to give back to a parish that had been so
important to her during her life!
As I write this on a Sunday morning,
I’m thinking of the many children at
Saint Martin of Tours Parish who are
celebrating their First Holy Commu-
nion. I picture them walking towards
this beautiful table with joy and antici-
pation to receive the body and blood
of Christ for the very fi rst time and it
warms my heart. They are not only in
communion with those around them,
but through their legacies, also in com-
endowment we all have the oppor-
tunity to remain a part of the institu-
tions we love FOREVER. Doug and
I are proud to be a small part of this
endowment, honoring George and
strengthening my alma mater. If you’d
like to contribute, you may do so at
https://giving.cfoscc.org/stjustinschool.
George has contributed greatly to
our family, in countless ways. My sister
Corey was already
out of Saint Justin
when he started,
but of course she
knows him well
because of Coach
Joe. In honor of
this great man,
Corey did a paint-
Image by
ing of him “cutting
Corey Quilici Jones.
down the nets,” a
symbol of victory, of a job well done.
Dear George, I wish to publicly
thank you on behalf of so many for your
faith-based, love-fi lled gifts to this com-
munity. We are all better “players” and
“thinkers” because of your ministry.
munion with every Catholic who was
ever a part of this parish.
May we all continue to build our
Church today and leave behind the
tools for others to preserve and expand
His kingdom.
If you would like to leave a legacy
of support for a Catholic organization
that is important in your life, we would
be glad to assist you. Please contact us
at (408) 995-5219.