沃尔特·J. 康涅狄格州 served on the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors from 2013 until his death one year later, 9月18日, 2014, continuing a longstanding friendship between the College and the 康涅狄格州 Family. That relationship began in 1992, when one of Mr. 康涅狄格州’s brothers, Rev. 托马斯·康恩，S.J., came to the College as a chaplain, a position in which he faithfully served until his own death, 于癌症, in 1997. During that time Fr. 康涅狄格州 was an enthusiastic evangelist for Thomas Aquinas College, introducing it to all those he loved, including his brother James, who has been a member of the Board of Governors since 1995, 和沃尔特, who served on the board until his death 9月18日, 2014.
“I got to know the College because Tom was so pleased about it,” recalled Mr. 康涅狄格州. “He liked that it was so strongly Catholic, and that it taught people about life rather than about business or something else so narrowly focused. He was very impressed with that, and he felt the College taught the 信仰 even better than some of the seminaries.” Inspired by his brother’s endorsement, Mr. 康涅狄格州 became a benefactor of the College in 1993. “Thomas Aquinas is doing a great deal of good for its students,” he said. “It helps young people understand what is important in life and how to become better people through God’s teachings.”
The son of Irish immigrants, Mr. 康涅狄格州 grew up in South Pasadena, Calif. He attended the University of Santa Clara through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program, and upon graduating, 进入美国.S. Army, where he served as a missile officer, first in San Francisco and then in Germany.
In 1963, having attained the rank of captain, Mr. 康涅狄格州 received an honorable discharge from the Army and decided to pursue a career in real estate. He took a job with Charles Dunn Co. in Los Angeles and established what became one of the largest regional property-management companies in Southern 加州. In 1995 he purchased the other divisions of Charles Dunn Co. and became its chairman.
In addition to his work for Thomas Aquinas College, Mr. 康涅狄格州 served on the board of the International Theological Institute and was a trustee emeritus of Gonzaga University. He also sat on the boards of the Los Angeles Opera, the 加州 Hospital Medical Center Foundation, the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, and various other organizations. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their three adult children.
“Walter was a valued member of our Board of Governors and a great supporter of Thomas Aquinas College,” says Thomas Aquinas College President Michael F. 麦克莱恩. “We pray for his eternal rest and also for the consolation of Donna; their children; his brother, Jim; and the entire 康涅狄格州 family.”