Among the extraordinary men and women who have left their mark on the history of Fordham Prep since 1841, Irene Cozzarin will always hold a place of honor.

Born on May 17, 1916, Irena Cardamone, who would later go by the Anglicized Irene, was the daughter of Angelo Cardamone, a wholesale dress manufacturer, and Teresa Mauro Cardamone, a homemaker who enjoyed music and poetry — in both English and Italian.  Though proud of their heritage, Angelo and Teresa were also proud to be American citizens, having only arrived in this country at the turn of the century to make a life for themselves.  They would pass this sense of patriotism on to their daughters, as well as their insistence on the importance of education.

Irene grew up in the Bronx not far from the Prep on East 201st Street with her younger sister Eva — just down the block from the park today known as Frisch Field, named in honor of fellow Hall of Honor inductee Frankie Frisch, Class of 1916.  She attended her neighborhood public school, P.S. 8, and would go on to Roosevelt High School on Fordham Road, just across from the Rose Hill Campus.

Graduating high school in 1932, Miss Cardamone would matriculate at Hunter College, completing her BA in 1936, and would continue her education at the Pratt Institute of Library Sciences for an additional BLS.  In 1940, she would start her graduate work at the Teachers College of Columbia University, earning her master’s degree in 1944.

By the early 1940s, Irene had embarked on her career as a librarian with the New York City Public Library.  Interestingly, her sister Eva would also become a librarian and would spend her professional life in the libraries of the public school system of Mount Vernon, New York.

Irene Cardamone became Irene Cozzarin in 1946, marrying Gerardo, or Gerard, Cozzarin, an Italian immigrant who had grown up in Ohio, served in World War II, and would also spend his working life among the stacks as the bursar in the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.  The Cozzarins made their home in Eastchester, New York where they would enjoy a reputation as a learned and (unsurprisingly) well-read couple, gracious hosts, and devout members of Immaculate Conception parish in Tuckahoe, New York.

In 1953, Mrs. Cozzarin left her post at the public library for a new and exciting position: assistant librarian at  Fordham Prep.  In those days, of course, the Prep was still in Hughes Hall.  The Prep Library, however, was housed in a small separate service building just outside the main doors.

Cozzarin would remain in the position through the late 1960s, serving under the likes of head librarian and fellow Hall of Honor inductee, Fr. George McAleer SJ.  In many ways, Mrs. Cozzarin was the perfect yin to Father’s yang.  He was ever the mysterious and over-the-top character who constantly ignited the boys’ imaginations, whereas she played the role of the dependably diligent yet nurturing authority figure who kept the boys grounded, helped them get all their research done, and looked after them as fondly and carefully and dutifully as if they were a few hundred nephews of her own — often taking care of the students and one or more of Father’s free-range library cats at the same time.

Looking back at their time at the Prep, many a mid-20th-century Prep boy has recalled Mrs. Cozzarin fondly for her clarity, her patience and thoroughness, her calm sternness and kind helpfulness, and her uncannily encyclopedic knowledge of all things. In fact, in one of her annual evaluations, the Administration duly noted that the boys were "very fortunate to have the example of her dedicated life before them."

Moreover, among her responsibilities as assistant librarian, Irene Cozzarin also taught library science and research skills classes to all incoming students during their freshman year.  She would have been the first and only woman to teach at the Prep among the Jesuits and laymen .  And so, in her own practical and unassuming way, Cozzarin was truly a trailblazer for all the women who would follow her at the Prep in the years and decades to come — in the library, in the classroom, and on the Administration. 

Irene Cozzarin would retire from the Prep Library in 1967.  Recalling her years of service, she would write, “Fordham — that magic place with a very special and dear meaning to me.  I always felt privileged to be a member of the Fordham family and especially of the Prep staff.”

Long after the Prep Library — and the Prep itself — had moved into Shea Hall, Irene would still check in from time to time, keeping in contact with her successor and fellow Hall of Honor inductee, August “Gus” Stellwag, Class of 1949.  Her time among the boys at Rose Hill would always remain a time of happy memories for her.

Irene Cardamone Cozzarin passed away on June 28, 2006, joining Gerard whom she had lost a few years earlier.  When word of Irene's passing reached the Prep, it was remarked with great affection, "Heaven's card catalogues have never been in better shape.  Requiescat in pace."

 

In the words of grandniece Catherine Caracciolo in 2022 at the time of Cozzarin’s induction: "Aunt Irene was a lovely, lovely woman, and I am sure she is smiling down and honored to be remembered all these years later by a place that meant so much to her.”