Palm Beach family's gift pushes Cardinal Newman's building redo across the finish line

When Cardinal Newman High School's students head back to the books after summer vacation, they will find the campus a bit changed.

And they will have a Palm Beach family to thank.

A $1 million gift from the Marcello family ― Rocco, Jennifer, Mark and Emanuela ― is funding what will eventually be known as the Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Building.

The gift was announced at the annual Newman Night gala last month.

The funds will help complete an extensive renovation of the existing North Academic Building into a student-focused space that includes a new chapel and campus ministry center; a welcome center with offices for admissions, college advising, and student services; state-of-the-art science facilities and laboratories; an innovation center; and classrooms for mathematics.

The Marcellos are longtime supporters of Catholic education.

"Catholic education altered the course of my life," said Rocco Marcello. "After facing setbacks in the public school system, I flourished upon enrolling in a Catholic school. The dedication of the teachers propelled me to excel, and I ultimately graduated at the top of my class."

He continued: "Our grandson Rocco's decision to remain within the Catholic education system, despite other options, speaks volumes. Just as I benefited from this nurturing environment, we are committed to ensuring future generations have access to the same transformative experience."

"Cardinal Newman High School is immensely grateful for the generous contribution of the Marcello family,” said Interim President John Clarke. "We are thrilled and deeply appreciative of their generosity, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy benefiting generations of students to come."

The Marcellos are residents of Palm Beach and Canada.

Rocco A. Marcello is founder, chairman, and CEO of Toronto-based asset management firm Windsor Private Capital. His son, Mark, is a partner at that firm.

The family owns and operates Palm Beach's iconic Cafe L'Europe restaurant.

The school's Shaping the Future Capital Campaign is ongoing. For more information, go online to cardinalnewman.com/shapingthefuture

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beachers' gift a boost for Cardinal Newman High's building redo