Cardinal Dougherty alums coming to aid of classmate

Mike Prendergast lost his job, his home and his alma mater in just two months.

Prendergast, 59, graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1969, and stayed as a counselor and alumni director for 31 years, before the school closed its doors for good in June. A month later, his Northeast Philadelphia house burned to the ground in the middle of the night.

Tonight, 600 Dougherty alumni and friends will gather in the former high school's cafeteria to show their support for both Prendergast and his wife, Franni, in recognition of the couple's dedication to the school community.

"When you go through a difficult time like this, you really find out who your real friends are," Prendergast said.

A committee of more than 35 alumni and friends, led by Bensalem businessman and family friend Steve Kiszely, planned the event in eight weeks.

"He was the ultimate graduate," Kiszely said. "He touched every class from '69 on, helping to develop alumni and back-to-school reunions. He was Mr. Dougherty.

"You know how some people are called give-back people? Well, Mike was the ultimate give-back in life, to everyone he met."

The committee has sold 600 tickets for $35 each for the 7 p.m. event. Tickets are available at the door.

The price of admission includes catered food, beer, wine and soda, with all proceeds benefiting the Prendergast family. Comedian Joe Conklin, a Dougherrty alumnus, will also perform live.

"It will be great seeing all the people, all my friends and relatives and being back in the building one last time," Prendergast said. "That's one of the reasons I agreed to do this; the opportunity to be in the building one last time."

For more information, call 267-229-2396.