John Vincent Mundy
Leader of the Pack
by Cate Murway


John Vincent Mundy, St. Mark School/HGP ‘65/ West Chester U. ’69 800 meter athlete /College of N.J./Principal Certification Lehigh U. has obviously proven that there is no such a word as doubt in his vocabulary. After 4 decades, his ambitiousness of his dreams that could daunt others is a known fact.  He was recognized for his unselfish amazing contributions on Monday evening at the Borough Hall. Council President, Ralph DiGiuseppe, Jr. stated, “I am so impressed with his leadership and the magnitude of the Mill Street Run!” 
John said that he recalled the pageantry and grandeur of the parades that flowed up and down Mill Street and that this memory was the impetus of his idea for the run with a crowd watching. It started as a 3.8-mile “male only” event in 1967 with the start and finish always on Mill Street.

Mayor Honorable Joseph A. Saxton, who zealously “controls the corners” with Judge Frank W. Peranteau, [the Mayor’s post is Mulberry and Radcliffe] shared, “John Mundy epitomizes the spirit and tradition of the Mill Street Run. He works untiringly all year long for the race that showcases the town and brings roughly 1000 people to the running tradition that kicks off the Cross Country season.”

“The Saturday after Labor Day, Bristol Borough's Mill Street turns into a track, where some of the best runners in the area come to compete in the Mill Street Run.” 
[Title of the 2006 article by Bristol Pilot Editor, Tim Chicirda].

So this, one week after the unofficial end of summer and the sunny welcoming skies have become the tradition for 40 years in Bristol Borough, attracting the best athletes and the most supportive spectators in the area. What a source of pleasure it is to see that the bottles the myriads of youth are toting contain Gatorade and that their snack of choice is a PowerBar!  The race maintains a “local flavor” but all are welcome to compete as it’s broken down into three heats: a boys’ race, a girls’ race and an open race that includes people of all ages. One of John’s goals is to continuously provide an outstanding awards program, recognizing not only the top winning teams but also the top individual finishers.
One year, his brother, Hugh, Captain of the Bishop Egan cross-country team, ran a great race as part of the team that beat the favorites, the HGP and the Archbishop Wood teams.

His personal magnetism and innate courtesy of mind brings out the best of loyalty! So many come together for a common goal and cooperate to make the Mill Street Run a success, including his brother, Hugh, sisters-in-law, Rosemarie Szczucki and Carol Ferguson and his daughter, Christine Leffler. Bristol Borough Business Association (BBBA) is the primary sponsor, along with the area McDonald’s, Tri-State Communications, First Service Bank, Fidelity Savings & Loan Assoc., First Federal of Bucks County and the Jenkintown Running Company.  Funds accrued from the event go to the Bucks County Rescue Squad Bike Patrol Unit to defray costs of uniforms and bike repair in appreciation for all of their assistance over the past years.
“Bristol Borough Police, the Fire Police, the Rescue squad, the Bike Patrol, and Knights of Columbus help provide safety for the welfare of the runners.”
Coach Mundy shares, “I am really proud that “WE’VE” done it for 40 years!

His civic involvement also includes his membership in the Knights of Columbus who sponsor the Annual K. of C. Track Meet at HGP.
Order, service, and management are the cornerstones of John V. Mundy who has expressed, “I really have been blessed to be part of the Mignoni family; my mother-in-law and father-in-law treated me like a son and my sisters-in-law treat me like a brother and are always very supportive in everything I’ve done.” He and his wife, Ann [Mignoni] met as H.S. freshmen at a family wedding and he shared with a big smile, “It’s pretty neat to have known her for 45 years!”  They are the truly proud grandparents of soon-to-be 9 month old Rachel Ann, daughter of Christine [Mundy] and Steven Leffler.
John feels, “It was a great experience to grow up on Mill Street”, as his parents owned the King George Inn and the family, including his brother, Hugh, B.E. ‘69 moved to the apartment above the restaurant when he was in the 7th grade. “It was a “mom & pop” business; Dad ran the business and Mom cooked and served [the meals to] the customers.” He worked also, washing dishes, mopping floors and painting “whatever needed to be painted”.  
John Mundy started the cross-country, track and track & field programs at Holy Ghost Prep while he was still a student. It was an exciting time as he and his fellow students were pioneers, developing the first of the sports programs, writing newspapers and initiating activities like dances and proms. He sought out powerful coaches for the programs, including the late Neshaminy High School coach, Dave Proven and Anthony [Chic] DeAngelo, BHS ’42; and also the currently retired Vince Profy, Sr. “who had taken an interest in him through Boy Scout Troop #73.” John and a group of 11 ambitious scouts earned the performance based achievement award of Eagle Scout, an award that has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as the youth enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. Only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earns the Eagle Scout rank.
Including his 4 years as a student, John has been with Holy Ghost Prep, cherishing the religious formation and the academic education, for 47 years, as coach, Director of Annual Giving & Alumnae, working in public relations, and as the school liaison for the parent groups, the Fathers’ Association and the Mothers’ Guild. He dedicatedly assisted Father McCloskey and Greg Geruson with the fundraising for the track. He found the key to the fund raising was contacting the track alumni who were just waiting to help him provide HGP with a track.
John Mundy is a generous and warmhearted, creative and enthusiastic gentleman who teaches everyday, instilling essential skills necessary for one to become an independent critical thinker. He was a teacher and administrator in the Bensalem School District at the Cornwells Elementary School and the Neil Armstrong Middle School.
His successful career includes encouraging the pursuit of educational excellence at each student’s potential as Headmaster at the Pen Ryn School for 19 years.

He really enjoys being Principal at St. Joseph the Worker School, Fallsington, working with the students, the very dedicated and talented faculty and the supportive parents. “I’m excited that every day we take good care of our students in their religious, academic and personal development.”
John Mundy’s life is an inspiration and a benediction!


To laugh often and much; 
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
--- attributed to
 Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Where would I start? John is a great friend! When I started coaching, he gave me encouragement. I am lucky to have him as a friend. I admire him as a coach.”
BHS coach, James William [Jim] Jones, Jr, BHS ’59

“John is the most dedicated person I’ve ever met. He loves HGP and gives every ounce of his energy!”
 HGP Director of College Guidance/ Baseball Coach for 35 years, 
Ted W. Grabowski, Marist Prep ‘55/LaSalle ‘61

“I hold him in the highest regard. He’s an outstanding coach who maintains a relationship with his athletes. He helped me and even my sister with college choices and even helped me throughout college.”  [P.S. they share the same birthday!]
GMA XC/track coach, Joseph Charles [Joe] O’Connor, HGP ‘95/Boston College ‘99

“John Mundy has been a force in Lower Bucks running all his life. He dedicated his life to the HGP boys and LB running.”
 HGP Dean of Student Affairs/XC/track coach Michael M. Meistering, Archbishop Ryan ‘79/Haverford ‘83

“John Mundy is a true gentleman, a mentor and a friend. He is very hospitable and made my team feel welcome. He is the finest human being and coach that there is. He is everything a gentleman involved in athletics should be.”
Girard College H.S. coach, Richard David [Rick] Leek, Central ‘74/Temple ‘83

“Mr. Mundy discerns the best in each person he encounters and then actively and generously guides the individual to truly become his/her own personal best – not just in athletics but in life! He truly is the most generous, authentic and caring man. We are each blessed to call him friend, mentor and teacher.”
President of VJM H.S. Mary T. Michel [track athlete son, Shaun ‘93]

“John Mundy is one of the most caring individuals that I have ever been blessed to know. He has a way of inspiring people of all ages. Congratulations, John on an honor well deserved.”  
Maureen Cleary, lucky enough to know John [track athlete son, Patrick ‘99]


 To recommend a Bristol Borough Character to be spotlighted: e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com



American Heritage Dictionary
char·ac·ter     n.  
1.Moral or ethical strength. 
2.A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities. 

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Introducing the Holy Family Regional Catholic School 
By: MANASEE WAGH Bucks County Courier Times
February 18, 2010

The new name earned applause when it was announced before a packed meeting room. 

It's official. 

Nameless for months, the consolidated Catholic school opening this fall in Middletown is now Holy Family Regional Catholic School. 

Culled from suggestions by 600 parishioners, students and school faculty and staff, the new name was the overwhelming favorite, said Monsignor Michael McCormac, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini in Falls and the spokesman for the committee that headed the consolidation effort. His school is joining Queen of the Universe in Middletown, St. Joseph the Worker in Falls and Immaculate Conception in Bristol Township to overcome falling enrollment and rising tuitions. 

A packed Queen of the Universe Church erupted in applause when the new name was announced at a parents' meeting Tuesday, McCormac said. 

Cardinal Justin Rigali recently accepted the four pastors' recommendation for the name. 

The school will open in the Queen of the Universe building in September and serve about 500 students in pre-K through eighth grade. 

"Holy Family is the perfect name. The idea of the holy family is perfect. We're all Catholic families, all coming together, and it signifies awareness of the institution Holy Family University, which is growing. To be attached to the name for all those reasons is great," said Jeff Gunn of Bensalem, whose kindergarten son attends Queen of the Universe. His sister teaches at the university. 

Among the top five names people suggested were All Saints, Saint John Neumann, Saint Katharine Drexel and Saint John Vianney, said McCormac. 

But Holy Family got top billing, in part for its reference to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, he said. 

"It's a wonderful family to imitate and we're trying to bring four parish families together into our school family," he said. 

As a sign of good will and a hope that all families will participate in parish life, Holy Family will provide a discounted rate for all students in the school's first year. 

Many parishes have two schedules for tuition. Each family will get the lower participating family tuition rate schedule, McCormac told parents at the Tuesday evening meeting. Generally speaking, families that can be designated as participating are at least attending Mass on a weekly basis and are financially supporting their parish. 

Families were also reminded to sign up for further opportunities to lower their costs, including financial assistance programs, scholarships and fundraising. 

"The pastors of the four schools are committed to doing whatever they can do to help parents keep their children in this school," McCormac said. 

Several committees of parish representatives are working to prepare the new school, said John Mundy, who has been chosen as the regional school's principal. He's currently principal of St. Joseph the Worker. 

"There are many things a school wants to do, but parents basically are hopeful that their children will be in a safe place, encouraged and respected, well taught, well rounded and well grounded in their Catholic faith. Choosing a name allows people to focus on the future of the school," he said. 

Sally Spinoza, who has two children attending St. Joseph the Worker, was one of the people who suggested the name Holy Family. 

"We're all going to be a family together. It's going to be a new beginning for everyone. It's a wonderful experience that we're building a new school together. It'll be exciting when it opens in September," she said.

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New Catholic grade school set to open 
By: MANASEE WAGH The Intelligencer

June 12, 2010

Holy Family Catholic School will take students from Queen of the Universe, St. Frances Cabrini, St. Joseph the Worker in Falls and Immaculate Conception. 

Plans for opening the new Holy Family Catholic School are moving full steam ahead.

The pre-K to eighth-grade school is set to open after Labor Day with more than 500 children, said St. Frances Cabrini's Monsignor Michael McCormac. He's the spokesman for the committee that headed the money-saving effort to consolidate four area Catholic elementary schools: Queen of the Universe in Middletown, St. Frances Cabrini in Falls, St. Joseph the Worker in Falls and Immaculate Conception in Bristol Township.

Students in grades four through eight start on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Grades one to three begin Thursday. On Monday, the pre-K and kindergarten programs begin. 

Most faculty positions are filled, a business manager has just been hired, and renovations should be complete by the end of August, McCormac said.

"Things are moving ahead. The archdiocese sees our regional school as a model because of the way we've worked together, with the cooperation of the principals, teachers, parents and staff," he said.

All student seats are filled except for a few openings in grades four and six. About 20 children are on a waiting list.

Among 56 teachers from the four schools, 23 are being retained for Holy Family, located in the Queen of the Universe building. About half of the teachers who applied were selected, said John Mundy, who will trade in his post as principal of St. Joseph the Worker to become principal of Holy Family. The rest of the faculty is looking for positions elsewhere.

Three out of four principals no longer will retain their positions. Nonetheless, the three are working hard on making sure the new school is the best it can be, McCormac said. 

The rest are pursuing other goals.

Mundy said support from the four respective churches and school communities have made all the difference during a bittersweet transition.

"We've been blessed that things have gone very well in organizing the new school. We've had a very positive response from parents and children. Effort from the pastors has set a great tone and a great foundation upon which we're organizing things now," said Mundy.

Queen was chosen because it's the largest of the four school buildings. A two-story structure, it has 33 classrooms, allowing two classes for each grade. There are special rooms for art, music, Spanish, tutoring, speech and guidance. The school has a library, a science lab and a large area for physical education. 

About 140 students currently attend Queen but there's plenty of room for Holy Family's enrollment of 500. No additions will be built, said Mundy.

In the spring, families of the four schools participated in social activities that familiarized them with what to expect. 

More than 125 parents are involved in a variety of committees to determine uniform styles, events and marketing programs, he said.

Some classrooms will have new ceilings, lighting and fans. Parents will be helping paint all the inside walls this summer.

"We're giving everything a fresh look. We intend to make the building sparkle," Mundy said.

Much of the upgrading has to do with technology.

Every classroom will have computers with Internet access, as well as a SMART Board, which connects an interactive whiteboard to a computer with educational software. The school will have a modern computer lab. 

About 30 teachers will instruct children in all academic subjects, including honors math in grades five through eight. They'll also teach all the specials, including music, physical education, library, computer skills and Spanish, Mundy said.

In addition to 30 lay faculty, three Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters will be teaching first grade and religion enrichment class. They were previously at the Immaculate Conception parish.

"I'm very pleased that we will have that special spiritual influence in the school. We're blessed with very experienced and dedicated teaching staff," said Mundy.

Teachers will continue trying to nurture each student individually, he said.

"I think even though this school's larger, we all want to work very hard to have a family-like atmosphere and allow each student to have a special personal experience," he said.

Manasee Wagh can be reached at 215-949-4206 or mwagh@phillyBurbs.com.

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May 15, 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,
On behalf of the Pastors and Board of Limited Jurisdiction, I extend to Mr. John Mundy, our heartfelt thanks
for his distinguished dedication as founding Principal of Holy Family Regional Catholic School. As Mr.
Mundy steps down as Principal, we know that it was his tireless efforts with others that have made our Regional School so beloved and respected in this region and in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
With Mr. Mundy as Principal, we have a faculty and staff which are providing our students with a 21st century
education where achievement is expected spiritually, academically, and personally. The children entrusted
to Mr. Mundy’s care for the past three years have received a high quality Catholic School education
that parents want and students need in order to lead and compete in the 21st century. The outstanding reputation
that Holy Family Regional Catholic School now enjoys is the result of Mr. Mundy working so hard with
so many individuals who have committed themselves, their time and their talent to ensure a bright future for
our students and our Regional School. For this, and so much more, we are indebted to Mr. Mundy for the
foundation and legacy upon which we will continue to build.
Today, a Principal Search Committee and process will begin to solicit, interview, evaluate, select, and hire
the preferred candidate as our Regional School’s second Principal. The Pastors along with the Board of
Limited Jurisdiction, the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education, Catholic School Development Program,
and knowledgeable educators will be working together as we continue to form one of the best Catholic
elementary schools in Bucks County and beyond.
With so much accomplished, we remain grateful to Mr. Mundy and to all of you for believing in and supporting
Holy Family Regional Catholic School.
Sincerely in Christ,
Reverend Michael F. Hennelly Mr. William Taylor
Administering Pastor Chair, Board of Limited Jurisdiction

EXCELLENCE IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Inspiring Faith • Challenging Young Minds • Nurturing the Whole Child








Ann Mignoni Mundy 

Born: October 20, 1945 / Died: November 24, 2014

Ann L. Mundy, age 69, of Bristol, PA, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 24, 2014 at Lower Bucks Hospital. 

Ann was known to all as a kind and gentle soul who loved people and was always ready to listen to their thoughts and comments. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She loved her family dearly, especially her granddaughter Rachel Ann. She was faithful to her Catholic beliefs and to St. Ann Church. She was very involved with her family operating Mignoni Jewelry and Irish Gifts on Mill Street in Bristol and loved her many trips to Ireland. 

Born and raised in Bristol Borough, she was a graduate of Bristol High School and Millersville University and was a retired teacher who taught at several parochial schools, including the former St. Ann School in Bristol Borough. She was an accomplished jeweler, with a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America. She had a great interest in history and politics, was a former committee woman for the Bristol Township Democratic Party, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bristol Ancient Order of the Hibernians. 

She was predeceased by her parents Carmen and Carolyn (nee: Marino) Mignoni; and her brother-in-law Paul Ferguson. She will be greatly missed by her husband, of 45 years, John Mundy; her daughter Christine Leffler and her husband Steven, and their daughter Rachel Ann. She will also be missed by her siblings Carol Mignoni Ferguson, Janet LaRosa and her husband Dr. Vincent LaRosa, and Rosemarie Szczucki and her husband Chester all of Bristol, Samuel Mignoni and his wife Heather of Holland, Michigan, and Marylin Tierney and her husband Greg of Middletown, DE; and her loving nieces and nephews Julie (Dermot), Amie, Eileen (Nacho), Casey, John, Sam, Peter, James, and Kevin; and several great nieces and nephews; her aunts Betty O’Brien and Rose Kirk (Pat), and Roberta Marino; her in-laws Hugh and Barbara Mundy and their children Patrick (Candy) and Sean and many cousins. 
Relatives and friends may call Friday, 6pm-9pm, and Saturday, 9am, at St. Ann Church, 357 Dorrance St., Bristol, PA, where a funeral Mass will begin at 11am. Interment will follow in St. Mark Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made in her memory to: St. Mark School computer program, 1024 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007 or Holy Family Regional Catholic School, 2477 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA 19057.







 brother, Hugh
 Mayor Saxton
 Congressman Patrick Murphy
Thanks to Mr. John Mundy and the Mill Street Run, 
the Bucks County Rescue Squad is $1,500 richer. 
The check was accepted by Mr. Joseph Barbagallo 
at Saturday's Winter Social.