Iron Mike Forever

It was to say the least, enormously sad to read your paper’s article stating the Diocese of Trenton’s closing of Trenton Catholic Academy (TCA) formerly known as St. Anthony’s and then McCorristin High School. I now know the pain my late father always felt when he talked about the closing of the original Trenton Catholic HS. He was a proud Class of 48 Trenton Catholic grad all his post high school life. I am also a proud graduate of both St. Anthony’s Grammar School and High School Class of 1977. The sad part of this closing is the legacy and memory of the school’s founder Monsignor Michael McCorristin. His Herculean deeds of this school’s founding may be forgotten forever, but not from this alumnus. On April 21, 2018 I was truly humbled and honored to be named the recipient of the Monsignor McCorristin Distinguished Alumni Award at TCA’s annual Gala. My parents named me after him. My father and Monsignor were close friends for all of his time at St. Anthony’s Parish. He was Iron Mike’s plumber and heat man and when I was of age I worked along side both of them maintaining the Parish’s properties. The likes of Iron Mike come but once in someone’s lifetime, and I am forever grateful he was in mine. Words alone cannot bring back a school but if there was ever to be a miracle in saving that school with funds count me in. They can take away my school but not my memories. I will always be a proud Iron Mike!

— Michael Maloney, Hamilton Twp. St.

Anthony’s 1977