“The greatest gift I gave my sons was the opportunity to receive a Saint Ignatius education. It has equipped them with the tools to succeed academically, lead faithfully, and serve others with humility. Beyond that, it has fostered a sense of community, shared values, and a deeper connection to faith and service for our entire family.” - Lou Joseph
The profound impact of the gift that
Lou and Valerie Joseph bestowed upon their sons—Matthew ’09, David ’11, and Garrett ’13—has led the family to make a remarkable $5 million donation to Saint Ignatius’
Vision ’30 Campaign.
Lou chuckles, “I didn’t even go to Saint Ignatius. I went to Midpark.” However, he was deeply influenced by the Saint Ignatius culture of faith and philanthropy through friendships with alumni Fred DiSanto ’80 and Joe DeGrandis ’67.
“Lou and Valerie Joseph’s contribution to the Vision ’30 Campaign reflects their deep love for Ignatius. The experiences their three boys had at Saint Ignatius were pivotal to their development, making this generous gift even more significant. Their profound faith and commitment to family shine through in this act of generosity,” says DiSanto.
While Lou and Valerie left the choice of high school to their sons, they were determined to guide them. Lou recalls a moment with their middle son, David, who was eager to play football at St. Ed’s, where many of his friends were headed. “We made a strong case for Saint Ignatius, even inviting then-President Fr. Tim Kesicki, S.J., over for Mass and brunch. But ultimately, David chose St. Ed’s,” Lou reflects. After a heated discussion, Lou insisted David would attend Saint Ignatius. Although David didn’t speak to his dad for a few weeks, he later expressed gratitude. “I remember picking David up from football practice. He turned down the radio and said, ‘Dad, the best decision you ever made was to encourage me to go to Saint Ignatius. I have wonderful friends and I love the school!’ That says it all,” Lou shares emotionally.
All three Joseph boys were actively involved in service and athletics during their time at Saint Ignatius. The Saint Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry and the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Ministry held special significance for them. The family formed a close bond with the late Jim Skerl ’74, a Theology teacher and co-founder of the
Christian Action Team (CAT). Valerie, in particular, developed a strong relationship with Skerl, and the family funded the renovation of the Labre kitchen, now known as the Joseph Kitchen, where meals are prepared for the homeless on Sunday evenings. Additionally, the Joseph family volunteered for the annual
Rini Christmas Food Drive.
The Josephs' generous commitment to Vision '30 stems from their deep gratitude for the blessings they have received. Lou expresses, “I believe I have been given so much, and I feel compelled to give back to Saint Ignatius. The Jesuits emphasize being Men for Others, and I aspire to be a role model for my children.”
Fr. Kesicki shares, “I first met Lou Joseph when he invited me to bless his house 20 years ago. It was then that I met his dear parents, Lou and Sadie, and witnessed the centrality of family and faith in his life. Watching Lou and Val grow from parents to grandparents has been a blessing. Their investment in Saint Ignatius High School is a tremendous legacy for the Joseph family; it will help many families grow in their faith.”
Lou is the President and CEO of The Brewer-Garrett Company in Cleveland. He works alongside his three sons, as well as a handful of Wildcat alumni.
This story was originally published in the Winter issue of the Saint Ignatius magazine; to read the full issue click
here.