03/27/2026
Fr. Henry C. Frascadore, who transformed Northwest Catholic High School into one of New England’s most respected Catholic educational institutions and whose legacy lives on in the lives of countless alumni and present students, has passed away. He was 92.
A priest, educator, and community builder, Fr. Frascadore served as the first president of Northwest Catholic High School from 1985 to 1996. His tenure transformed the school, guiding it through an era of revitalization grounded in faith, academic excellence, and a resolute belief in every student’s potential.
“He was a visionary leader,” said Dr. Michael Griffin, a former colleague and longtime Northwest Catholic administrator. “He really inspired belief in Northwest Catholic, he inspired others, he believed in the importance of the school.”
Born in Bristol, Fr. Frascadore was ordained in 1959 and began his decades-long vocation in Catholic education. Prior to Northwest, he served as vice principal and then principal at South Catholic High School in Hartford, where he earned a reputation for thoughtful leadership and his ability to inspire students and faculty alike. He held advanced degrees from Boston College and pursued studies in Belgium, Colorado, and London.
During his tenure at Northwest Catholic, the school was named a U.S. Department of Education School of Excellence in 1989. That same year, it was honored with the Development Program of the Year Award from the New England Association of Catholic Development Officers, reflecting the robust community and fundraising network he helped build.
“He wanted students to get the best education they could, but he really wanted them to be the best people that they could be,” said Mrs. Margaret Williamson, another former colleague and administrator at Northwest Catholic. “It was important to him that students were involved in activities, and that people were not excluded in any way.”
Among his many bold initiatives, one in particular captured the spirit of his leadership. In 1992, at age 59, Fr. Frascadore took to the road for the now-legendary “100 Days Across America” Bike-a-Thon, cycling 4,700 miles from Astoria, Oregon, to West Hartford. Joined by five Northwest Catholic alumni, he averaged 65 miles a day over three months, braving weather and terrain to raise funds and awareness for the school. By the end of the journey, more than $700,000 had been raised for scholarships and curriculum development. His 85-year-old mother, Edith, greeted him at the finish line, beaming. “Don’t ask me if I’m proud,” she said. “I’m bustin’.”
“Fr. Frascadore’s contribution to Northwest Catholic is altogether unique and faith-affirming,” said Northwest Catholic president Mr. Michael Clark. “His desire to do God’s will channeled a remarkable spirit of genuine optimism and inspired others to not only ask themselves what does God wish of me, but to also take action. It’s a powerful witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Even after moving on from Northwest Catholic in 1996, Fr. Frascadore remained an active voice in Catholic education, writing, mentoring, and always encouraging others to invest in the next generation.
An update regarding funeral arrangements will be announced when complete.
