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Honoree: The 2016 Monsignor John J. Roach Awardee, The Harvey Family 
Dave and Pat Harvey married in Chicago in September 1950. Soon afterward, they moved to Houston.The Harveys settled on the south side and became parishioners at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. Mr. Harvey was in the choir and Mrs. Harvey taught a large class of first-graders. Within the decade, they had six children – and Mr. Harvey started his own construction business with partner Gerald. D. Hines. (His friend, Charles Brown, became the new firm’s first employee.) In the 1960s, the couple had five more children. They moved to St. Vincent de Paul Parish and sent their oldest to the just-opened Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School. The Harveys had five sons, Jerome, Michael, Brian, David Jr., and Frank; and six daughters, Barbara, Janice, Donna, Mary Ann, Eileen and Patricia. The 60s were a time of explosive growth. Houston was center stage for the Space Race. Misters Harvey and Hines broke ground on a big retail shopping center to be called The Galleria. It was then that the Harveys became good friends with Monsignor John Roach, Catholic Charities’ first and longtime director. Monsignor Roach was a welcome visitor in the Harvey home. (This was also the time when E.E. “Gene” Reed joined Harvey Construction. Seventeen years later he would start his own firm, E. E. Reed Construction.) Through their professional and personal relationships with the Harveys, Misters Brown and Reed also became friends with Monsignor Roach. Misters Brown and Reed joined Catholic Charities’ Board of Directors. Their professional circle grew to include builder Ralph Marek – all making their mark on Houston’s landscape, all indelibly written into Houston’s history, and all devoted Catholic family leaders. In the 1970s, the Harveys moved to the Memorial area and joined St. Cecilia Parish. They would later welcome their new pastor, Vincent M. Risotto, who would become Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General for the diocese. Daughter Mary Ann attended classes with Brendan Cahill, now Bishop of Victoria, Texas. Meanwhile, David Jr., went off to college at Notre Dame, and upon graduation, joined the family business. Through the 70s and 80s, the siblings became adults and contributed their careers to their communities as builders, engineers, nurses, accountants, marketing directors, art directors, teachers, business managers and computer experts. David Sr. passed away in 2006, after a two-decade-long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and all their children and grandchildren. Ten years later, his family continues to carry on the Harvey legacy of leadership, philanthropy and strong Catholic family values. David, Jr. joined the board of Catholic Charities in 2008 and later served as Board Chair. (He still serves alongside Gene Reed and Stan Marek.) About Monsignor Roach
Monsignor John J. Roach founded Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1943. His tireless and enthusiastic work in promoting charity and concern for people in need has made Catholic Charities what it is today, a vital resource in our community that meets the needs of more than 80,000 men, women and children each year. The Spirit of Charity Gala supports the work of Catholic Charities and salutes the giving spirit of Monsignor Roach through the presentation of the Monsignor John J. Roach Award. |
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