The Legacy Lives On
In September 1938, Father Bart J. Buckley, Pastor of St. Anthony Church, Portsmouth, became a hero. With rope tied around his waist, Father Buckley waded into partially submerged homes in the Island Park section of Portsmouth to remove the dead and injured people trapped inside after a devastating hurricane. He then arranged housing, food, and clothing for the hundreds whose homes had been destroyed.
The late John Cashman never forgot Father Buckley's efforts. John's family lived in Island Park and his father Thomas Cashman built and owned Cashman Amusement Park. This popular destination boasted the second largest roller coaster in New England, the Bullet. When the Cashman home and business were destroyed in the hurricane, Father Buckley offered assistance. John long cherished and kept the sweater Father gave him from after one of his clothing drives.
In honor and gratitude, years later John Cashman created the Father Bart J. Buckley Scholarship with the Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island. This fund in part benefits any member of St. Anthony Parish who enters religious life for the purpose of becoming a priest, a nun or a brother. His wife Dolores remains an active member of the Catholic Foundation.
Leave Your Legacy
Just like John and Dolores, you can leave your own legacy of love and faith. Contact Rich Popovic at rpopovic@dioceseofprovidence.org or 401-277-2115 to learn more about your giving options.