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Man of the Year Archives 2007 Man of the Year Thomas Rodeno ’64, a man with a steadfast commitment to helping others, has been chosen to receive the highest honor of the Cathedral Latin Alumni Association, the Merit Award, for 2007. The annual Merit Award is given to one who by his conduct and example has brought renown to Cathedral Latin School. While at Cathedral Latin, Tom played sports at the varsity level and was captain of the basketball team. After CL he went on to the University of Nebraska on a scholarship and played until injury ended his participation. After graduation from Nebraska in 1969, he coached there for several years, and then returned to Cleveland where he was JV coach at CL. In 1993 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his All-East Senate and All-Catholic performance in football as a senior and his co-captaincy of the basketball team. Subsequently he went on to a business career, and after he and his family moved to Denver area, he established a manufacturers representative business in the pipe, valve, and fitting industry that has become very successful, employing twenty-five people. The most notable point is his leadership in the community. After the diagnosis and then death of their child, Amy, at seven years old from cystic fibrosis, he and his wife, Mary Jo, have spent many years with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Foundation in Denver calls Tom “ an integral part of our fundraising activity and works on our behalf consistently throughout the year.” He started the 65 Roses Golf Classic in Denver which over the past ten years has raised close to three million dollars, with the 2007 event in the works. At the national level, Tom is currently a member of the Board of Trustees; he is past Secretary/Treasurer of the national organization. The national cystic fibrosis program has raised over $200 million, of which ninety-one percent has gone to research and education. In the past twenty-five years or so, the average lifespan of a person afflicted with the disease has risen from seven years to thirty-eight years. He is active in the Diocese of Colorado Springs in their program to develop plans and raise money for the primary and secondary education in the Douglas county area. Reflecting on his life Tom said that three things deeply affected him—his faith, his family, and Cathedral Latin School. At Latin he says, “I grew up, my faith was fostered, I learned to take responsibility, I developed lasting friendships, I became a student, and I earned my way to college, where I met my wife. Lastly, many dreams were fulfilled that would carry into the future.” Tom is married to Mary Jo and they have three children. Edmund Turk '43 - 2006 Man of the Year In recognition of a lifetime of public service and civic endeavors, Edmund Turk ’43 has been chosen to receive the highest honor of the Cathedral Latin Alumni Association, the Merit Award. Ed ’s mother wanted to him to attend Cathedral Latin because she was impressed by the Society of Mary when his older brother went to Latin. After graduation from CLS, he served in the military from 1943-46. He earned an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and went on to receive a law degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School, after which he practiced general law. Ed entered the public service arena and was elected to six successive terms in Cleveland City Council in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, ultimately serving as president of the Cleveland City Council in 1972-73. He later chaired the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and was a member of the governor’s cabinet in 1973-75. In the 1980’s he served as a member and vice-president of the Cleveland Civil Service Commission, the Cleveland Zoning Appeals Board, and a Cleveland Municipal Court judge. In general service to the community he has been active in many local, county, and state commissions and councils: the Charter Review Commission of the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Criminal Justice Co-Ordinating Council, the Governor’s Commission on Energy, the Energy Advisory Council, and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, and the U.S. and Canadian Energy Supply Committee. He has been active in St. Vitus parish and Slovenian-American cultural affairs for his adult life. Ed and his wife Linda Sue, who now reside in Mentor, Ohio, have been married for 33 years. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, and two grandchildren. The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Ed on receiving the Man of the Year Award. Peter R. Pucher '55 - 2005 Man of the Year This year’s Merit Award recipient was Peter R. Pucher ’55. Pete spent 18 years as a guidance counselor, teacher and coach. He began his career at Cathedral Latin, teaching 3 years. He moved to St. John Cansius High School for 2 years, and then taught at Holy Name High School for 6 years. Serving as head football coach and athletic director, his teams compiled a 35-10-1 record. In 1970, he was named West Senate Coach of the Year. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Pete worked in the administration of properties for the city of Cleveland, including Cleveland Municipal Stadium. In 1985 he returned to education as the head of major gift development for John Carroll University. In 1988 he moved to NDCL as the development director. Pucher continues his mission of giving back to his community. He served 25 years as a volunteer in the Selective Service System and has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 43 years. A life member of the American Football Coaches Association, he received the Great Cleveland Football Coaches Association’s Golden Deeds Award in 1991. Pete spent 16 years on the Greater Cleveland Convention Bureau and was named the 1995 Greater Cleveland United Way Volunteer of the Year. In 1989, he helped create the Geauga County Touchdown Club and is now a lifetime member. He was a member of the Chardon Rotary Club and the National Society of Fund Raisers Executives, where he also served as local chapter president and board member. The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Pete for his induction into the Man of the Year award. Rev. John Putka ’56 – 2004 Man of the Year This year's Merit Award recipient is Rev. John S. Putka, S.M. '56. Fr. Putka is a member at the University of Dayton's Political Science Department. He has taught for 44 years, the last 15 at Dayton. He also has graduate degrees in sacred theology, historical theology and political science. Fr. Putka has been recognized as an outstanding educator by the Jaycee; appointed to the Kentucky consumer protection council; served on the educational advisory board of TIME magazine; and has been a guest chaplain of both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. He was featured on C-SPAN and also appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor". The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Fr. Putka for his induction into the Man of the Year award. Bishop A. Edward Pevec, CL '43 2003 Man of the Year Retired Cleveland Bishop A. Pevec served the Catholic Church and Diocese of Cleveland for more than 52 years, 32 as a priest and 20 years as a bishop. He grew up on East 70 the Street in Cleveland and began thinking about the priesthood in the fifth grade while serving as an altar boy at the St. Vitas parish Masses. Particularly influential in his decision was his mentor, Father Bartholomew Ponkivar, who paid the tuition for young Eddy to attend Latin. After his graduation in 1943, Bishop Pevec enrolled in Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and was ordained in 1950. In 1982, Pope John Paul II named him bishop. Now, at 77 years old, Bishop Pevec officially retired last summer. Bishop Pevec was the principal Celebrant for the service held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. Rev. Mr. John P. Sferry, '63 served as Gospel Proclaimer. Concelebrants were Rev. Michael Ausperk, '80, Rev. Mr. Lawrence Cermak, '68, Rev. Anthony G. Jansen, and Rev. John Wenzel, '65. First Reading was done by Albert A. Musca, M.D., '53, Second Reading by Frank J. Soltis, '53 and the Gift Bearers were Salvatore R. Felice, '53, Al Perko, '53 and John A. Winter, '53. Click here to view his "2003 Communion Breakfast Speech" Click here to view our past "Men of the Year"

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Man of the Year Archives

2007 Man of the Year

Thomas Rodeno ’64, a man with a steadfast commitment to helping others, has been chosen to receive the highest honor of the Cathedral Latin Alumni Association, the Merit Award, for 2007. The annual Merit Award is given to one who by his conduct and example has brought renown to Cathedral Latin School.

While at Cathedral Latin, Tom played sports at the varsity level and was captain of the basketball team. After CL he went on to the University of Nebraska on a scholarship and played until injury ended his participation. After graduation from Nebraska in 1969, he coached there for several years, and then returned to Cleveland where he was JV coach at CL. In 1993 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his All-East Senate and All-Catholic performance in football as a senior and his co-captaincy of the basketball team.

Subsequently he went on to a business career, and after he and his family moved to Denver area, he established a manufacturers representative business in the pipe, valve, and fitting industry that has become very successful, employing twenty-five people.

The most notable point is his leadership in the community. After the diagnosis and then death of their child, Amy, at seven years old from cystic fibrosis, he and his wife, Mary Jo, have spent many years with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Foundation in Denver calls Tom “ an integral part of our fundraising activity and works on our behalf consistently throughout the year.” He started the 65 Roses Golf Classic in Denver which over the past ten years has raised close to three million dollars, with the 2007 event in the works. At the national level, Tom is currently a member of the Board of Trustees; he is past Secretary/Treasurer of the national organization. The national cystic fibrosis program has raised over $200 million, of which ninety-one percent has gone to research and education. In the past twenty-five years or so, the average lifespan of a person afflicted with the disease has risen from seven years to thirty-eight years.

He is active in the Diocese of Colorado Springs in their program to develop plans and raise money for the primary and secondary education in the Douglas county area.

Reflecting on his life Tom said that three things deeply affected him—his faith, his family, and Cathedral Latin School. At Latin he says, “I grew up, my faith was fostered, I learned to take responsibility, I developed lasting friendships, I became a student, and I earned my way to college, where I met my wife. Lastly, many dreams were fulfilled that would carry into the future.”

Tom is married to Mary Jo and they have three children.

Edmund Turk '43 - 2006 Man of the Year

In recognition of a lifetime of public service and civic endeavors, Edmund Turk ’43 has been chosen to receive the highest honor of the Cathedral Latin Alumni Association, the Merit Award.

Ed ’s mother wanted to him to attend Cathedral Latin because she was impressed by the Society of Mary when his older brother went to Latin. After graduation from CLS, he served in the military from 1943-46. He earned an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and went on to receive a law degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School, after which he practiced general law.

Ed entered the public service arena and was elected to six successive terms in Cleveland City Council in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, ultimately serving as president of the Cleveland City Council in 1972-73. He later chaired the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and was a member of the governor’s cabinet in 1973-75. In the 1980’s he served as a member and vice-president of the Cleveland Civil Service Commission, the Cleveland Zoning Appeals Board, and a Cleveland Municipal Court judge.

In general service to the community he has been active in many local, county, and state commissions and councils: the Charter Review Commission of the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Criminal Justice Co-Ordinating Council, the Governor’s Commission on Energy, the Energy Advisory Council, and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, and the U.S. and Canadian Energy Supply Committee.

He has been active in St. Vitus parish and Slovenian-American cultural affairs for his adult life.

Ed and his wife Linda Sue, who now reside in Mentor, Ohio, have been married for 33 years. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, and two grandchildren.

The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Ed on receiving the Man of the Year Award.

Peter R. Pucher '55 - 2005 Man of the Year

This year’s Merit Award recipient was Peter R. Pucher ’55. Pete spent 18 years as a guidance counselor, teacher and coach. He began his career at Cathedral Latin, teaching 3 years. He moved to St. John Cansius High School for 2 years, and then taught at Holy Name High School for 6 years. Serving as head football coach and athletic director, his teams compiled a 35-10-1 record. In 1970, he was named West Senate Coach of the Year.

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Pete worked in the administration of properties for the city of Cleveland, including Cleveland Municipal Stadium. In 1985 he returned to education as the head of major gift development for John Carroll University. In 1988 he moved to NDCL as the development director.

Pucher continues his mission of giving back to his community. He served 25 years as a volunteer in the Selective Service System and has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 43 years. A life member of the American Football Coaches Association, he received the Great Cleveland Football Coaches Association’s Golden Deeds Award in 1991.

Pete spent 16 years on the Greater Cleveland Convention Bureau and was named the 1995 Greater Cleveland United Way Volunteer of the Year. In 1989, he helped create the Geauga County Touchdown Club and is now a lifetime member. He was a member of the Chardon Rotary Club and the National Society of Fund Raisers Executives, where he also served as local chapter president and board member.

The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Pete for his induction into the Man of the Year award.

Rev. John Putka ’56 – 2004 Man of the Year

This year's Merit Award recipient is Rev. John S. Putka, S.M. '56. Fr. Putka is a member at the University of Dayton's Political Science Department. He has taught for 44 years, the last 15 at Dayton. He also has graduate degrees in sacred theology, historical theology and political science. Fr. Putka has been recognized as an outstanding educator by the Jaycee; appointed to the Kentucky consumer protection council; served on the educational advisory board of TIME magazine; and has been a guest chaplain of both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. He was featured on C-SPAN and also appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor".

The Alumni Association would like to congratulate Fr. Putka for his induction into the Man of the Year award.

Bishop A. Edward Pevec, CL '43
2003 Man of the Year

Retired Cleveland Bishop A. Pevec served the Catholic Church and Diocese of Cleveland for more than 52 years, 32 as a priest and 20 years as a bishop. He grew up on East 70 the Street in Cleveland and began thinking about the priesthood in the fifth grade while serving as an altar boy at the St. Vitas parish Masses. Particularly influential in his decision was his mentor, Father Bartholomew Ponkivar, who paid the tuition for young Eddy to attend Latin.

After his graduation in 1943, Bishop Pevec enrolled in Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and was ordained in 1950. In 1982, Pope John Paul II named him bishop. Now, at 77 years old, Bishop Pevec officially retired last summer.

Bishop Pevec was the principal Celebrant for the service held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. Rev. Mr. John P. Sferry, '63 served as Gospel Proclaimer. Concelebrants were Rev. Michael Ausperk, '80, Rev. Mr. Lawrence Cermak, '68, Rev. Anthony G. Jansen, and Rev. John Wenzel, '65. First Reading was done by Albert A. Musca, M.D., '53, Second Reading by Frank J. Soltis, '53 and the Gift Bearers were Salvatore R. Felice, '53, Al Perko, '53 and John A. Winter, '53.

Click here to view his "2003 Communion Breakfast Speech"

Click here to view our past "Men of the Year"