Dennis J. Colgan, Jr., H’18

Dennis J. Colgan, Jr., H’18, an esteemed member of the Board of Trustees from 1996 – 2019 and one of the largest supporters of Holy Family University, passed away on December 24, 2024.

Dennis, who had served as chair of the Board for over a decade, was voted as a trustee emeritus in 2019, in recognition for his tremendous leadership and service to Holy Family.

His partnership with and guidance to three University Presidents (Sister Francesca Onley, CSFN, ’59, Ph.D., Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, Ph.D., and Dr. Anne Prisco, Ph.D.) were instrumental to Holy Family’s success today.

Dennis generously supported the University and he contributed major gifts to the creation of the Education and Technology Center and, most recently, to the new Holy Family Hall Welcome Center.

Most notably, Dennis established the Gerardine Colgan Endowed Scholarship, which was named in honor of his wife who passed away in March 2024. This scholarship, which will be awarded to deserving Holy Family students in perpetuity, has truly changed lives and will continue to honor Dennis and Gerri’s legacy forever.

In addition to his service at Holy Family, Dennis also served on the Boards of Nazareth Hospital, The Belt Line Railroad, and The Seaman’s Church Institute of Philadelphia. He received several awards and recognition for his outstanding professional and personal service, including the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Man of the Year, Boy Scouts of America Scout Mariner Award, and many others.

Dennis was a proud graduate of Northeast Catholic High School and Temple University, and he received an honorary degree from Holy Family in 2018. He was the founder and chairman emeritus of Barthco International, Inc., one of the largest privately-held international logistics companies in the U.S. at the time of its sale in 2006.

The University extends our deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren, and their extended family and friends.