Father Bill Melillo Memorial Scholarship Fund

On February 25, 2025, Seton Hall Prep lost a beloved member of our community. Father Bill Melillo will be deeply missed, but his presence endures in the hearts of all who knew him, especially his family.

 

To honor Father Bill’s remarkable life, his family has chosen to establish the Father Bill Melillo Memorial Scholarship Fund, celebrating his extraordinary ministry and nearly five decades of dedicated service to Seton Hall Prep. As a theology teacher, department chair, counselor, chaplain, and spiritual mentor, Father Bill shaped the minds and spirits of countless young men. His priesthood was defined by quiet compassion, intellectual depth, and a joyful, humble presence that left an indelible mark on The Prep.

 

This scholarship will continue Father Bill’s legacy by supporting students who exemplify the values he embodied - faith, kindness, humility, a lighthearted spirit, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to serving others. The fund will provide tuition assistance to promising young men who may not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from a Seton Hall Prep education, reflecting Father Bill’s belief in the life‑changing power of The Prep experience.

 

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, family, and friends, the Father Bill Melillo Memorial Scholarship will ensure that his spirit continues to guide The Prep for generations to come, fostering scholars, athletes, and gentlemen in the tradition he cherished so deeply.

 

In a special expression of support, The Anthony J. and Christie B. de Nicola Foundation has offered a matching gift challenge to help endow the Father Bill Melillo Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Foundation will match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, ensuring that this scholarship will live in perpetuity.

 

This is a unique and meaningful opportunity to honor Father Bill’s life and legacy. We invite you to help us make the most of this generous matching challenge by making a gift today.