Joe Melita Scholarship Fund
Exciting New Initiative To Keep His Legacy Alive:
Deacon Joe Melita Scholarship Fund
A beloved Deacon and a parishioner of St. Raphael and St. Margaret’s Shrine, Joseph M. Melita impacted countless lives through his ministry from 1978 until his death in 2018 at the age of 96. Today, Deacon Joe’s children would like to honor their beloved father with a special scholarship fund to provide need-based financial assistance to students enrolled at the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport’s St. Raphael campus.
In the 1960’s, Deacon Joe Melita and his wife, Bonny, sent three of their daughters to the newly built St. Raphael School because of its Christ‐centered learning environment and excellent academics.
Now, through their father, the Melita children would like to make that opportunity available to other children.
This year, St. Raphael will educate 180 students in grades PreK – 3rd. 65% come from families living below the poverty level. 85% cannot afford the annual tuition of $5,150. St. Raphael students need your help!
Mail your check, PAYABLE to “Catholic Academy of Bridgeport” and mail to:
Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, 63 Pequonnock Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604,
Attn: Deacon Joe Melita Scholarship Fund, or click here.
Join the Melita family as they honor the memory of their father and help students in Bridgeport!
“My father still has a lot of work left to do in this world.” — Danny Melita, son of Deacon Joe
Deacon Joseph. M. Melita joined the first class of the Permanent Diaconate Program in 1975
and was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1978. He provided diaconal ministry at St. Raphael Parish and then at St. Margaret Shrine from 1978 until his death in 2018. Deacon Joe had a heart for the Lord and a heart for all children. He served for many years as the Director of Catholic Scouting
for the Diocese of Bridgeport and gave of his time to counsel, lead, and train young people to enrich
the spiritual development of the Catholic Youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Through his faithful witness, Deacon Melita touched countless lives.
For questions, please call 203‐362‐2990. Thank you!