Cathy Koch, Excellence in Education

Cathy Koch has been a Catholic educator for twenty-one years and has worked at a multitude of elementary schools: St. Joachim, St. Ephrem, St. Ambrose, St. Adalbert, and Our Lady of Port Richmond. Cathy is one of a handful of teachers and staff members currently working at OLPR who have been there since the school’s founding in 2008. 

Mrs. Koch, as she is known to her students, consistently goes above and beyond her job description teaching seventh and eighth grade students. In her off time, Mrs. Koch has spent countless summers working at Bridesburg Recreation Center day camp in addition to prepping for her upcoming students.

Cathy lives with her husband, Bill, in Northeast Philadelphia, where they are members of St. Jerome Parish. Cathy has three children and seven grandchildren.

Legacy Alumni Hall of Fame

Joel Zazyczny, Excellence in Business

Joel is a scientist, innovator, and business leader with over 30 years of experience in chemicals and industrial minerals. Joel is a patented and published scientist who holds 6 patents, authored a chapter in the PVC Handbook of Chemistry (Hanser Gardner Publications, 2005) and has authored and co-authored over 30 technical papers and articles. In July 2017 Joel retired from his position as Executive Vice President (>10 years) with Gelest, Inc.(BOD & Director of Gelest Ltd.). He has been engaged in philanthropic endeavors supporting leadership, STEM and Music Education initiatives through endowed scholarships at Cabrini University, Villanova University and Yale University.

Joel is the Founder & President of Cafe Soul Limited, a nonprofit restaurant in Doylestown, PA that “Serves & Enables Future Generations” by providing grants for Music & STEM Education throughout the Central Bucks, PA Community. He is also an Angel Investor of OrciCare, Sfumato, Bankroll and engages in consulting and advisory initiatives.

Joel is currently Co-Chair Capital Campaign at Cabrini University, former Board Trustee (2012-2019) and former member of the Alumni Association board of directors (1995-2001 and 2012-2013). He also sits on the Board of Trustees Bryn Mawr Hospital, Finance Committee at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and Advisor - Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Institute (ICE) Villanova University, a current member of the American Chemical Society, and former member of the Minerals Division NSSGA (Chairman Elect 2006), Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Modifiers and Additives Group SPE, (Director, Education Chair, TPC Chair 1994-2002), Vinyl Siding Institute, and Tappi (Pulp & Paper Institute).

Joel and his wife KellyAnn reside in New Hope, PA, have 3 adult children Aubreylyn, Anneliese and Aydin, and are founding donors and active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church.

Congratulations Hall of Fame Honorees 2023!

The OLPR Legacy Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 2018 to honor the contributions of alumni and friends from the schools that merged to form Our Lady of Port Richmond in 2008.

We are proud to give this year’s OLPR Legacy Hall of Fame Awards to four outstanding individuals who exemplify the mission statement of OLPR to live the message of Jesus Christ as contributing members of the global community. 

Jim Savage, Excellence in Athletics

Jim Savage graduated from St. Adalbert in 1988 and North Catholic in 1992. Jim attended LaSalle University, graduating in 1997 with a degree in Mathematics. At LaSalle, Jim was a 2 time wrestling team captain. Jim earned his master’s in secondary education at Temple University in 2001. Jim has coached wrestling at several schools, including North Catholic, Father Judge, and is currently coaching the wrestling team at St. Joseph’s Prep. Jim’s teams won 2 PCL championships at North while he was the assistant coach; 6 PCL championships at North while he was head coach; and 5 PCL wins at Father Judge. Jim was also previously inducted into the North Catholic Hall of Fame, North Catholic Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Hall of Fame.

Currently, Jim works at St. Joseph’s Prep as a teacher in the math department and is the head wrestling coach. He lives with his wife in Fishtown. 

Chris Savage, Excellence in Athletics

Christopher Savage graduated from St. Adalbert, class of 1991, and went on to graduate from North Catholic in 1995. During his time at North Catholic, he was a 2 time Catholic League Champion wrestler and was chosen as a first team All Catholic wrestler twice. Chris went on to wrestle at LaSalle University. He was added to the North Catholic Wrestling Hall of Fame in March of 2022. 

Currently, Chris and his wife Kacy live in Port Richmond, with two daughters who attend OLPR.