Community Corner
KATZ Academy, Camden Charter Schools Remember Lewis Katz, Marcy Dalsey
Katz and Dalsey were among seven people who died in a plane crash Saturday night.
The KATZ (Knowledge A To Z) Academy Charter School and the Camden Charter School Network each remembered victims of Saturday night's plane crash that claimed the lives of Lewis Katz and Marcella Dalsey.
Katz, 72, who acquired co-ownership of the Philadelphia Media Group last week, also founded the Katz Jewish Community Center (Katz JCC). The center has locations in Cherry Hill and Margate, and was named in honor of Katz’s parents, Betty and Milton Katz.
Marcella Dalsey, known as Marcy, was the KATZ Academy Charter School President.
Both were among seven people who died on a flight that crashed as it departed from Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., on its way to Atlantic City International Airport.
She began her career at the age of 20 as a young entrepreneur in real estate investment, but quickly realized her desire was to help the less fortunate, according to a statement released by the KATZ Academy Charter School.
At that point, she began charitable work with the Food Bank of South Jersey, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, El Centro Comunal Borincano Day Care, Cooper University Hospital, the Haddonfield and Camden public school systems, the Community Resource Warehouse of Camden (for which she was a founding board member), the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County, and Camden’s Charter School Network.
She worked on events for The Michael Bolton Foundation, The Chris Evert Foundation, The Phil Donahue Show, The Leeza Gibbons Show, and Share Our Strength.
In May of 2011 she worked on the team that hosted the Dalai Lama at a global Peace Summit in Newark.
She worked as the Executive Director of The Drew A. Katz Foundation and the Marketing and Public Relations director for Interstate Outdoor Advertising, owned by Drew Katz, Lewis Katz's son.
In March of 2011 she and co-founder, Lewis Katz, were awarded a Charter by the NJ Department of Education to open KATZ Academy Charter School at the Parkside Boys and Girls Club facility in September of 2012.
"She was determined, dedicated, and committed to ensuring that the KATZ Academy Charter School served as a “safe retreat” for the children of Camden," the district said in the statement. "The Board of Trustees is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Marcy during a plane crash in Massachusetts where she was attending an educational function with Lewis Katz. Her legacy of 'serving others' will be embedded in the fabric of our school and our community."While we are heartbroken and mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman, we celebrate her life and encourage our young people to follow her example by always reaching beyond the stars."
Additionally, the Camden Charter School Network issued the following statement:
"It is with deepest sadness that Camden’s Charter School Network announces the passing of Lewis Katz and Marcy Dalsey in a tragic plane accident. Lewis Katz was the founder and benefactor of KATZ Academy Charter School, supporting the children of Camden with his passion, time and donations. Marcy Dalsey, KATZ Board President, was the tireless energy, vision and effort behind the founding and running of the school. These dearly departed will be truly missed for their work and their true friendship. Words cannot express the measure of what they have done for Camden and our children. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to family and friends during this difficult time."
Over the weekend, Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli and Freeholder Jeffrey Nash expressed condolences on Katz's death:
“The Freeholder Board would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Katz family. Lewis was raised in a row home in Camden City’s Parkside neighborhood and never forgot those roots. He dedicated much of his life to giving back a tremendous amount of attention and resources to the city of his birthplace.
He served as a Camden County Freeholder from 1972 to 1976 and after that worked to enhance the city through philanthropic donations, collaborating with everyone from the First Nazarene Baptist Church on South Eighth Street to the Boys and Girls Club in Parkside that bears his name today. In addition, Katz worked tirelessly on behalf of the Jewish Federation and was a supporter of the Katz Jewish Community Center that bears the name of his parents Milton and Betty.
"Even after all of Katz’s success in business and professional sports he remained in Camden County by living in Cherry Hill and raising his family here. It is with profound sadness we say goodbye to a former freeholder who labored to improve the city and county through his philanthropy and compassion.”
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