Recently honoured at the Father Patrick Fogarty Awards Dinner, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board extends heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Daly on receiving the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontartio (CEFO) 2024 Medal of Honour. Introduced by Linda Ward of OCSTA, she shared the following:
Pat has served as a trustee on the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board since 1985 and has served as Chair of the Board for 32 years. Pat served as President of OCSTA from 1996 to 1998, at which time he played a pivotal role in the achievement of fair and non-discriminatory funding for all students across Canada through Bill 160. Pat also served as President of OCSTA from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2020 to the present.
He is the past President of the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association (CCSTA). In 2010, Pat was honoured to receive the Justice James Higgins award presented by the CCSTA for his outstanding contributions to Catholic education in Canada.
On November 23, 2014, Pat was very honoured by His Holiness Pope Francis to receive the Knight of St. Gregory the Great Papal Medal for his distinguished service to the Church. In 2021, Pat was a recipient of the Fr. John Redmond Memorial Award presented by the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO).
During Pat’s many years as trustee and serving on the OCSTA Board of Directors, he has established respectful working relationships/partnerships with the Minister of Education, Deputy Minister of Education, and numerous Senior Government Officials at the Ministry of Education.
Pat has been very generous with his support and leadership in assisting many trustees develop the numerous skills required to be an effective trustee, always placing Christ at the centre.
Pat Daly is truly a faith-filled role model and leader in the protection, promotion, and stewardship of Catholic education.
This recognition celebrates Mr. Daly's lifelong commitment to the precious gift of publicly funded Catholic education. We thank him for his servant leadership and his steadfast conviction to "place Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the centre of students' learning experiences."
The evening also celebrated outstanding Catholic students and staff. Catholic Student Awards were presented to Isabella Cinelli (Bishop Ryan C.S.S.), Joshua Wong (Bishop Tonnos C.S.S.) Beatrice Basco (Cathedral High School), Madison Church (St. Jean de Brébeuf C.S.S.), Matteo Villella (St. John Henry Newman C.S.S.), Madeline Leung (St. Mary C.S.S.), and Rachel Knafelc Guerin (St. Thomas More C.S.S.). Additionally, Bishop Tonnos C.S.S. School Leadership and Dr. Peters from Rising Stars were recognized for their work in the LEAD Mentorship Program, which received the Michael Carty Award.
