Annual Report of Gifts Dedicated to the Memory of Dr
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Dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Kirk P. Gaddy ’83 Saint Frances Academy 2019 - 2020 Annual Report of Gifts Dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Kirk P. Gaddy ’83 Saint Frances Academy 2019 - 2020 Annual Report of Gifts SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENT: Deacon Curtis Turner, Ed.D VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION ADVANCEMENT: Melissa A. D’Adamo CHIEF OF STAFF and DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT: R. A. Mills ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Nicholas Myles SCHOOL BOARD: Mr. John Phelps (Board Chair) Mr. Kayode Aje Sr. Annette Beecham, OSP Ms. Kara Bowman Msgr. Richard Bozzelli, J.D. Sr. Brenda Cherry, OSP Mr. Vince Connelly Mrs. Wendy Griswold Mr. Divesh Gupta, J.D. Mr. Chris Keehner Ms. Kim Miller Mrs. Amy Poggi Mr. Jon Price Sr. Rita Michelle Proctor, OSP (Superior General) Ms. Jasmine Robinson Deacon Paul Shelton, J.D. Deacon Curtis Turner, Ed.D. (Head of School) Mr. John Walsh Mr. Barry Williams Dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Kirk P. Gaddy ’83 The Obituary of Kirk Peter Gaddy, Ed.D. Dr. Kirk Peter Gaddy was born Sunday, May 23, 1965, to the late John and Beatrice Gaddy in Baltimore, Maryland. Bea’s baby boy, as he often called himself, was the fifth child in the Gaddy family. He departed this life suddenly on Saturday, June 20, 2020. As a child, Kirk had a heart of gold. He always wanted to help those in need, even stray animals. At one point in his childhood, Kirk snuck food from the kitchen to feed to stray dogs in the neighborhood. Kirk enjoyed staying in the house with his mother, Beatrice. He was a true “mama’s boy”. Kirk was quiet and slightly shy in his youth. He began to find his voice in high school. Once he found it, everyone heard it. Kirk’s parents worked diligently to provide all their children with a Catholic Education. He was a product of an Oblate Sisters of Providence education and he began elementary school at Saint James and John and Saint Wenceslaus. As a teenager, Kirk wanted to serve the Lord and made a mark in ministry at the Archdiocese of Baltimore Summer Corps. He attended Saint Frances Academy High School, and was a member of the student council, Spanish club, and served as a class officer, and Student Council President his senior year. He also played baseball, volleyball, and lacrosse. Additionally, he began his life mission as a servant leader while he worked after school in the Saint Frances Outreach Program helping children in Johnston-Square neighborhood. He graduated from Saint Frances Academy in 1983. Since birth, Kirk took pride in being one of God’s trusted servants. Following in the steps of Christ, Kirk was dedicated to living a life according to Matthew 25: 31-46. Throughout his life, he enhanced this service to God and God’s people. Fulfilling the meaning of his name, Kirk, was the “church.” He loved people, provided all he could, and worked diligently to teach others about Christ. Throughout his life, Kirk’s Catholic identity was prominent in everything he did. Kirk was a man for others. He attended Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland), where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in History. Kirk was named Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities while at Loyola. During his undergraduate career, Kirk worked in the dietary department at Mercy Hospital. He enjoyed working alongside his father, John, and his brothers. He graduated in 1987 and immediately began his graduate degree. While pursuing his graduate degree, Kirk worked at Saint Frances Academy as a teacher and Dean of Students. He would receive his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 1989. Kirk met Crystalyn (Chris) and Courtney in 1988 at Saint Francis Xavier Church. Chris recalls seeing a handsome young man in church running his mouth. She was instantly attracted to him. Kirk was certain he met his soulmate, and proposed to both Chris and her daughter, Courtney, in 1989, sealing and reaffirming the love he had for them both. When Kirk proposed to Chris, he told his father-in-law, Sonny, he would take care of his family. Kirk lived those words in everything he did for his family. Chris’ parents loved and respected Kirk as their own. He was not their son-in-law; he was their son. They married on June 30, 1990, and added Kirby and Kirk Eugene-Kyle Gaddy to the union. Kirk and Chris raised their children to be God-fearing, self-reliant, community advocates. Following in Kirk’s parents’ footsteps, Kirk and Chris provided Courtney, Kirby, and Kirk with a Catholic school education. He pushed them each to be the very best they could be and never let them settle or become sub- par. Kirk often quizzed the children about random facts on morning drives to school after prayers were complete. Because of the sacrifices of their parents, Courtney, Kirby, and Kirk have gone on to earn seven advanced degrees among the three of them. Kirk’s family meant the world to him. He was an extraordinary husband to Crystalyn (Chris), and they enjoyed a life full of love, laughter, and an unbreakable bond. No matter what life brought their way, their love was unconditional. Kirk and Chris traveled often and enjoyed providing their children with the opportunity to travel as well. They went on many cruises across the Caribbean and Europe. They were set to go to Las Vegas this summer. Kirk and Chris shared lots of laughs, stories that will last a lifetime, and memories that will never be erased. As they planned their future, Kirk told Chris he would retire and become a “house husband” and happily send her to work each day. In retirement, they both planned to be able to spend more time with their children and grandchildren. Kirk’s children were his greatest joy. He was a provider, disciplinarian, entertainer, and gave everything he had to ensure his children’s wildest dreams became a reality. Kirk had a special relationship with each of his children. In their way, they, too are Kirk and will continue his legacy. Courtney, who he called “big girl,” epitomizes Kirk’s serious and structured side. Like her father, she is extremely accomplished academically and is a giver. She often asks the family to donate to various campaigns to help those in need. On track to become the second Gaddy with her doctoral degree, Courtney embodies Kirk’s drive for success. Kirby, the self-proclaimed spoiled one, is a mixture of Kirk’s serious and silly sides. She was never shy about asking her father to buy something she wanted. Saint Frances Academy 2019 - 2020 Annual Report of Gifts Kirk often told Kirby she would owe him money for the rest of her life. With the demeanor of her father, she is the no-nonsense child who takes control of everything. Like Kirk, Kirby is witty, and one never knows what will come out of her mouth. Little Kirk was the apple of his father’s eye. Mirroring his father’s heart for the community and jovial personality, Little Kirk exhibits some of the best qualities of his dad. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became an educator. Little Kirk had the ultimate privilege of working alongside his father this last year at Saint Frances Academy. Father and son, best friends and fraternity brothers, this duo was unstoppable. The Kirks shared a bond like Kobe and Shaq, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Michael and Tito Jackson, Jesus, and Peter. Their relationship was amazing and will forever be. Kirk reached a new level of pure joy when grandson, Lincoln Dominic Gaddy, was born. PopPop, as he was affectionally called by Lincoln, adored his grandson. Lincoln would alter the family dynamic for the better. A softer side of Kirk appeared as he loved spoiling his grandson every opportunity he would get. Lincoln loved being on the phone with his grandfather and often noted how silly Pop-Pop was. Now six, Lincoln aspires to be a doctor to save others as the doctors worked to save his Pop-Pop. Kirk was the lifeline of his family. Anyone could call him any time and he was there. He brought life, love, and a million laughs into any room he entered. Kirk loved being silly and joking with his siblings, aunts, and cousins. Sundays after church, Kirk visited his Aunt Alice and Aunt Bunny, ate great food, and caused a ruckus in both houses. All in light-hearted fun, everyone simply adored Kirk and waited to hear what he would say next. Kirk’s love for his family was inspiring. He was never too busy to spend time with his family. He countlessly showed up and supported everyone as much as he could. Kirk began his career in education administration in 1990 when he became the assistant principal of Saint Katherine’s School. Catholic identity, curriculum, and discipline were his core values as an administrator. He often told his fellow school administrators, “You enter to learn, and you leave to serve.” Kirk lived these very words in all aspects of his life. He served as assistant principal at Saint Katherine’s until 1994. He became the principal of Saint Alphonsus-Basilica School in 1994. Kirk had the privilege of teaching and leading his family members, church family, and extended family during his time at Saint Katherine’s and Saint Alphonsus-Basilica schools. He remained close with many of his students and was always available to write letters of recommendation, donate to fundraisers, and do what he could to support them.