The Holy Name Society
Name of the Year 2008
Our Man of the Year, Mark W. Hrehovcik is a life long member of St Michael’s Cathedral, having received all his sacraments at the Cathedral. He attended St Michael’s School and at 6 years old was the youngest altar server because he would do all the services the other boys wouldn’t do, Saturday night Vespers and the 6:15 am liturgy every Sunday.
He attended Glassboro State College, getting his degree in accounting and computer sciences. Upon graduating he created the first Church accounting and membership program for Monsignor Durisin and he did it in the original dbase language. He is an usher and choir member of the church. He held many offices in St Michael’s Holy Name ending with two terms as President of the organization. He was one of the founders of our annual picnic and can be found working there year after year.
As a member and officer of the GCU Lodge #12 here, he was instrumental in establishing “Breakfast with Santa” and “ The Easter Egg Hunt” for the parish children. He also ran the very first ski trip for the parish children. He currently is the GCU Lodge 12 and District 7 Fraternal Athletic Director. Being responsible in implementing several athletic events each year.
Our man of the year started his civic life early also having been elected cook for his Boy Scout troop from age 12 to 17 years old, a position that has served him well even today because he can always be found in the kitchen with his family cooking for our affairs.
He has served three terms on the Board of Education for his township and on the Board for the regional high school. He is an active member of the township’s Athletic organization. He has been a coach of soccer, basketball, softball and baseball teams for the past eighteen years. He sought and found his life partner and soul mate, Diane at the Holy Ghost Byzantine Church in Philadelphia. They have been married 25 years and have been blest with six children; Jessica, Tanya, Sarah. Michael, Nicholas and Elizabeth. He is self employed choosing to run his computer networking company for the corporate world, from his home in order to be able to spend more time with his children and their many friends. Friends who are always guaranteed a home made meal. Exhibiting his family’s love for their church our Man of the Year is the third generation to receive this award! His grandfather, John Malenich, his Dad Michael Hrehovcik were both recipients of the award.
The Holy Name Society
Man of the Year 2005
The Holy Name Society’s Man of the Year award was presented to Dennis Ditzig on June 20, 2005, at the annual Father’s Day breakfast held at the Cathedral in Passaic . Being the eldest of the three sons of Anna and Lawrence Ditzig, as a youth, he attended Holy Trinity Church , where he practiced the Roman Catholic faith. A graduate of Clifton Senior High School , Dennis was accepted at Rutgers University where he was awarded a BS degree in Biological Sciences in 1975. Dennis continued his education, and received certification in electronic engineering technology from RETS School of Electronics.
 |
Dennis Ditzig and John Malenich during the ceremony held on June 20, 2005, naming Mr. Ditzig as Man of the Year. |
Dennis became part of our parish community, in 1978, when he was joined in matrimony with his wife, Patricia, the former Patricia De Bonte. 1979 marked the beginning of his Engineering career, first at Instrumentation Engineering, in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and in 1982, after the birth of his daughter, Allison, he became employed at Singer Kearfott. The company has been split into the different divisions, in which Dennis was transferred to BAE Systems, where he is presently employed with today.
Dennis' proudest achievement in life is his children. Allison, the eldest of the three children, recently graduated from William Paterson University and is seeking employment as an elementary education teacher. His oldest son, Tim presently is attending FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York , with the focus of his studies being fashion design. Matthew, the youngest, attends Woodrow Wilson Middle School , and if his parents would let him, he would focus his studies on video games.
Always active in the St. Michael’s Parish community, Dennis has been a familiar face at the annual Church Picnic, since the beginning. Whether it being assisting with the parking of cars, or working the grill, loaded with kielbasa and burgers, Dennis has done it all. A Trustee of St. Michael’s Parish for several years, Dennis has relished the various responsibilities, of the position, as a Lay representative of the Parish. Dennis opens the Chapel, three times monthly for the Saturday Liturgy. The yearly Plant and Flower sale, sponsored by the ECF Program, is grateful to the help, Dennis provides, along with other parishioners, with the unloading of the plants at both the Chapel and the Cathedral. Any function, held at either of our Parish locations, Dennis can always be found in the kitchen, at the sink, washing the dishes, or involved in the set up and cleaning up after the various dinners, that are held. A proud member, of the Holy Name Society, for several years, including service on its executive board, Dennis is always there to lend a hand and his time, when St. Michael’s needs him.