2008 Fall Issue - Iona Preparatory School

Michael Gallin ‘75& LegacyBUILDING CONTRACTORSSINCE 1886N.Y.C.On the shelves of the bookcases in the Alumni Office sit years of history…yearbooks from as far backas 1929. Among those books sits a journal from 1928, commemorating the ‘spring entertainment andreception’ for Iona Prep. The performance was a production of “Three Wise Men”. Among the ads, onetaken by John Gallin and Son. Eighty years later, another journal is produced. This time for the annualMothers’ Auxiliary Emerald Isle Dinner; the back page was taken by John Gallin and Son. The only differencein the ad: a listing of all the Gallin men who are also Iona Prep men and the line: Partners forGenerations.Two brothers, William ‘33 and Thomas ‘47 began the Iona/Gallin legacy. Each of them sent their sonsto the Prep. Chris Gallin ‘79, Thomas’ son kept the legacy going, his three sons are all Iona men (twopresently). Chris loves to talk about his family’s legacy with Iona. “I didn’t know about the 1928 ad but itdoesn’t surprise me. We figured out that between 1955 and 1987, there was always a Gallin at the Prep,including my Aunt Betty Gallin who was the school nurse in the ‘70’s and my cousin Jim who attended thePrep for two years in the early 60’s. The best part about it is we know there are other families like ours,although maybe not any who can boast of supporting Iona for eighty years or having a family member inthe building for 32 years! We have other great connections. Bob Sexton ‘47 was my dad’s brother-in-lawand Jim Moore ‘47 was the best man at my parents wedding. I’d like to think that’s what makes Iona sospecial; you make life long friends and you’re part of a rich history and tradition.”Mary E. Gallin, School Nurse ‘70-’75Kevin Gallin ‘06 Patrick Gallin ‘09Connor Gallin ’12THANK YOUWe are grateful to the countlessfamilies who believe inthe Iona Prep Legacy andwho have partnered with usto make the Iona Family partof their family. It is our hopeto include other legacy familiesin future Iona Prepnewsmagazines. If you wouldlike to share your story, pleasecontact MaryLou Pagano inthe Alumni Office.FALL 2008 11