All of us at Catholic Charities are deeply saddened by the death of Monsignor Charles J. Fahey.
Msgr. Fahey led Catholic Charities from 1961–1979 — a tenure that created this organization as we all know it today. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities was transformed from primarily providing foster care and some elderly services into a Central New York institution that takes on the complex issues of poverty, substance abuse, mental health, and community stabilization that affect our most vulnerable neighbors.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Michael Melara, CCOC Executive Director. “And when it comes to Msgr. Fahey, he is that giant. There would not be Catholic Charities as we know it today without his influential work.”
Msgr. Fahey was a man who led with love, putting great effort into ensuring that Catholic Charities would be a flexible organization that evolved to meet the needs of the community.
Certainly a man of action, Msgr. Fahey created Christopher Community, Loretto, St. Camillus, and The Nottingham. His passion for serving the elderly led him to a 30-year assignment in the field of aging studies when he moved on from his service to Catholic Charities.
We are proud to have presented Msgr. Fahey with the House of Providence Bishop’s Award in 2022 in honor of his service to Catholic Charities and the greater community.
Msgr. Fahey will be missed and lovingly remembered by all those who knew him, and his legacy will continue to be felt.