Wilmington, DE – – Mr. Gerard S. Garey, a well known leader in Catholic philanthropy died February 29, at his home in Fairfax, Delaware, following a long illness.
Mr. Garey directed the Wilmington-based Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities for many decades retiring eight years ago.
“He was a quiet, gentle, leader, a man of deep faith and charity,” said Francis J. Butler, FADICA’s president. “He will be remembered for the role he played in strengthening the sense of fellowship and shared purpose among foundation leaders across the country”, he said.
Mr. Garey was responsible for the research and early exploratory discussions that led to the founding of FADICA, a network of Catholic foundations established in 1976.
Also known for his role in strengthening parish-based bereavement ministry, Mr. Garey helped to found the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, a federation of ministries of consolation.
John J. and Helena S. Raskob established the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc. in 1945. John J. Raskob, a financier, corporate executive, and director with the DuPont Company, General Motors Corporation, and the Bankers Trust Company, among others, conceived of and commissioned the construction of the Empire State Building in New York City.
As the principal contact and director for the Raskob Foundation throughout the major period of its existence, Gerard Garey oversaw the distribution of over $100 million in grants to Roman Catholic organizations and programs throughout the world.
In 1983 the Raskob Foundation received the Charles Carroll Award in Catholic Philanthropy, a prestigious recognition from other private foundations in FADICA for the role that Raskob played in the early years of FADICA, citing its exceptional leadership and vision.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated March 8, 2008, at St. Joseph’s On the Brandywine Church in Wilmington, DE.
