Justice Francis X. Flaherty ’64 to deliver first-ever Commencement Address

Justice Flaherty ’64 to address Class of 2021 at graduation

Associate Justice Francis X. Flaherty ’64. Click to enlarge.

WARWICK, RI (May 28, 2021) – Fr. Robert L. Marciano, KHS ’75, President, and Mr. Mark R. DeCiccio ’03, Principal, are pleased to announce that Associate Justice Francis X. Flaherty ’64 will serve as Bishop Hendricken’s first-ever keynote commencement speaker at Hawks’ Last Flight: The Class of 2021 Graduation Celebration on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Aldrich Mansion. For the second consecutive year, Bishop Hendricken graduates and their families will return to the mansion, the former site of the school’s senior campus, and park on its picturesque grounds for an outdoor drive-in commencement ceremony overlooking Narragansett Bay.

“This class has excelled in every endeavor and even in these challenging times, they have made us proud,” said Fr. Marciano. “We are very pleased to introduce them to one of our very favorite Hawks to inspire them with his words and lifelong commitment to service of others, the true mark of a Hendricken man.”

Before retiring in 2020, Justice Flaherty served on the Rhode Island Supreme Court for 17 years. Prior to being appointed to the bench, he served on the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education after working as an attorney in private practice. Justice Flaherty has deep roots in Warwick, serving as Assistant City Solicitor, city councilman, and mayor over the course of this career.

Justice Flaherty is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Providence College. Between undergraduate and law school, Flaherty served in the United States Army in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star for Valor.

Justice Flaherty current serves on the Bishop Hendricken Board of Advisors. His family has a rich tradition of Bishop Hendricken graduates, including his brother, Bob ’66; three sons, Michael ’92, Brendan ’92, and Sean ’09; nephews, Shamus ’94 and Austin ’11; and grandson Aidan ’24, a current freshman.

###

CONTACT:
Michele King
Director of Communications
401.889.5407
mking@hendricken.com