Former mayor of Kennett Square Ed Fahey, St. Pat’s class of 1942, remembers his childhood in Kennett very well.  In addition to being the Mushroom Capital of the World, he says that our town also had the distinction of being the Fresh Rose Capital of the World. 

There were growers everywhere and flowers everywhere — even in the classroom.  While there was no money to purchase fresh flowers, Ed recalls lots of carnations, especially, that he suspects may have come from funerals.

Ed’s schooling began during the depression.  He remembers that during his lower grades in the 1930s, there was not much money for coal in winter.  Classrooms were cool, but there were still fresh flowers although, at times, the water in the vases would freeze when they were sitting on the cold Cypress Street side of the classroom.

Ed remembers parents being involved in the school too.  “Tony Basilio’s dad was a musician.  He encouraged us to play an instrument and he started a little band.”

Ed remembers the nuns had little to live on, so on their feast days, students carried in canned food.  “That was a big deal, because it helped them to survive.” 

But mostly, Ed remembers the excellent education he received at St. Pat’s. 

“There were only 13 in our class — four boys and nine girls, and in the entire school, only about four or five nuns.  But they were good teachers — especially the way they taught us English and math.”

Two or three of the nuns inspired Ed, he says, as did the pastor, Father Crane, who was stationed at St. Pat’s from the early 1930s through the mid-1940s.  Father Crane and the succession of curates over the years were holy men and devoted to the children.  “No question about it.  They even came out into the playground, and Father Dougherty, one of the curates, taught me how to throw a curve ball.  Their lives weren’t easy either.”

Ed attended Kennett High School and the University of Delaware, earning a degree in engineering and an MBA.

“Overall, between family, schools, and living on a farm, I was very, very fortunate.  I wouldn’t trade the way I grew up for anything.”