The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) announces, with heartfelt appreciation and admiration, that long-serving Chairperson Patrick J. Daly will be stepping down from his role to assume the position of Executive Director of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), effective June 23, 2025.
For over 36 years, Chairperson Daly has demonstrated outstanding servant leadership as a Catholic School Trustee and Catholic School Board Chair serving the needs of students, families and staff at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. From a provincial perspective he has also demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership having served the members of the OCSTA as President for an historic four terms (eight years) and contributing in various ways to several OCSTA working committees, provincial legislative committees and commissions. His notable accomplishments include:
- Distinguished Service to Catholic Education Award Recipient: In 2009, Chairperson Daly was awarded the HWCDSB’s highest honour – the Distinguished Service to Catholic Education Award – for his extraordinary contributions to the promotion and development of Catholic education.
- Justice James Higgins Award Recipient: In 2010, he received this prestigious award from the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association for his outstanding contributions to Catholic education in Canada.
- Papal Honour Recipient: On November 23, 2014, Mr. Daly was honoured by Pope Francis with the Knight of St. Gregory the Great Papal Medal, acknowledging his distinguished service to the Church.
- Fr. John Redmond Memorial Award Recipient: In 2021, the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario presented him with this award, recognizing his significant contributions to Catholic education leadership.
- CEFO Medal of Honour Recipient: In 2024, Mr. Daly received the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario's Medal of Honour, celebrating his lifelong commitment to publicly funded Catholic education.
“Chairperson Daly’s remarkable contributions to publicly funded Catholic Education here in Hamilton, provincially and nationally cannot be overstated,” said Director of Education David Hansen.
“However, Pat’s greatest gift is his ability to provide leadership on a large scale while never for a second losing sight of the individual student, staff member, parent, or colleague. His deep love for this school system, and the people that make up this system, is evident in each of his words, and more importantly, his actions. That love for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is at the heart of his leadership.”
“We have been privileged to work and learn under Pat’s guidance,” echoed Associate Director of Corporate Services Paola Pace-Gubekjian. “His steadfast leadership, wisdom and unwavering support has been both inspiring and a blessing. Pat’s presence will be missed but his legacy will remain and be forever etched in the strong, Catholic education system he has helped build over the past 40 years.”
Now, as he prepares to take on the role of Executive Director at OCSTA, Mr. Daly brings to the position not only decades of leadership experience, but an unmatched understanding of the mission and operations of Catholic school boards and the importance of publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario.
In accepting his new role, he shared: “I am deeply grateful to the members of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me. I am particularly honoured to receive the appointment having witnessed and admired the strong and faith-filled leadership of current Executive Director, Nick Milanetti. My service will be guided by the conviction that publicly funded Catholic education is a jewel in the crown of the Church in Ontario and that it makes a significant positive contribution to the lives of students and the fabric of our society. I look forward to working with the OCSTA Board of Directors, its dedicated staff, Catholic School Trustees throughout Ontario and Provincial partners in support of our shared commitment to protect, promote and celebrate the precious gift entrusted to us.”
As he embarks on this new journey, the HWCDSB extends its deepest gratitude for his service, leadership and unwavering faith.
“While reluctant to see Pat leave, our entire school Board rejoices with him as he takes on new challenges and continues his life’s vocation of advocating and promoting the great gift of publicly funded Catholic Education in the province of Ontario,” said Hansen. “We wish Pat, Carol, and his entire family blessings for this next chapter of life.”
