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Statement of Frank Vellaccio, Acting President,
College
of the Holy Cross
The College's matching contribution campaign to the Worcester
Firefighters Fund closed on 16 January 2000. Over $44,000 was
raised by faculty, staff, parents, students and alumni, resulting
in a total College contribution of $90,000.
Dec. 8, 1999
The Holy Cross family is struggling to find the appropriate
actions and words to express its deepest sympathies to the
families, friends and co-workers of the city's six fallen firefighters,
Paul A. Brotherton, Jeremiah M. Lucey, Thomas E. Spencer, James
F. Lyons III, Timothy P. Jackson, and Joseph T. McGuirk. They
are in our prayers and our thoughts. As part of the community,
we are mindful of the vigilance and sacrifice our firefighters
provide at all times. In this hour of tragedy, we join the
voices of grief and remembrance for the friends and neighbors
we have all lost.
Holy Cross shares a special bond with this city's firefighters. In 1852, just
nine years after our founding, the College was devastated by a fire in Fenwick
Hall. Worcester firemen attempted to control the blaze but, in the end, most
of the building burned to the ground. Students and faculty were left homeless,
although that night the proprietor of the Worcester House hotel offered 30
of his rooms to students and firemen free of charge.
There was great doubt that Holy Cross would continue after such a catastrophe,
but thanks to the kindness and generosity of the Worcester community and friends
of the College, Fenwick Hall was rebuilt. Today, we stand stronger, able to
attempt to repay a debt of gratitude to our city's firefighters.
The firefighters and their families will be remembered at a Memorial Mass in
St. Joseph Chapel at Holy Cross, on Friday, Dec. 10. During the Mass, a collection
will be taken to benefit the fund that has been established for the families
of the firefighters. The College is collecting contributions in the department
of personnel to donate to the Firefighters' Fund and will match all contributions
made by members of the Holy Cross community.
In addition, we are joining with the other member schools
in the Colleges of Worcester Consortium and offering scholarship assistance to
the children of
the deceased firefighters who are qualified for admission.
Finally, we will welcome to the College the visiting
firefighters from around the country who will attend the memorial service on
Thursday. We are able to
house 150 firefighters overnight in campus accommodations, and a total of 1,000
visitors for dinner this evening and breakfast on Thursday. We are heartened
to be able to offer some assistance during this time of immense grief.
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