A Prep Legacy

This story originally appeared in the Fall 2011 edition of Panther Tracks Magazine

Jim, who took two buses to get to Prep from Mount Baker, remembers well Fr. McDonnell, S.J. waiting outside at the top stairs of Adelphia for anyone who was late. He would blow his whistle from the top of the outside staircase as the boys ran towards the entrance. Oftentimes, Jim chuckles, this was him.

"Prep gave me values that I have lived by."

DiJulio credits Fr. McDonnell, S.J. for the discipline and training that he gained at Seattle Prep. Father, or “Christy” as he was known by his students, made a lasting impression on Jim. Jim feels blessed to have been taught by Jesuits reflecting, “They gave me a value system that I tried to live up to all my life.” He is especially appreciative of Fr. McDonnell’s willingness to “work out a deal” with the DiJulios since Jim’s parents were unable to afford Prep’s tuition. Through Father’s support, Jim was able to receive a Seattle Prep education.

Before Prep, Jim attended Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish and School in Mount Baker. The parish was established in 1911 and was primarily a church for Italian immigrants in the area. Many of the parishioners could not speak English. The pastor, Father Carmello, S.J. was from Italy. Jim grew close to Father Carmello, S.J. who, encouraged Jim to continue his studies at Seattle Prep after 8th grade.

After Jim graduated from Prep, he attended Seattle University, where he joined the Marine Reserves. He went on to Gonzaga Law School, then he was drafted in January of 1950 shortly after the start of the Korean War.

Jim remembered meeting up with several of his Prep classmates in Korea. One in particular was his best friend, Ron Santucci ’47. As the story goes, Jim was in a supply truck in the gunner’s seat along an abandoned road in Korea he came across a wounded soldier on the road side. He called out to see if the Marine needed a lift. To Jim’s surprise, the soldier turned out to be Ron Santucci ’47! They went on the serve in the same company throughout the war and to this day remain best friends.

Although Jim did not graduate from Gonzaga Law School due to the war, he did meet his wife, Joan, of 56 years. They laugh together about Jim not getting a law degree but finding the love of his life and mother of his 8 children in Spokane!

After getting out of the service, Jim went on to work for Richfield Oil for 9 years. He then went to work for Riach Oldsmobile and then Bellevue Carras Cadillac in 1972 where he sold cars for the next 40 years. Joan proudly states that Jim was an “honest salesperson” living by the values taught to him by the Jesuits.

There is a long legacy of DiJulios at Seattle Prep and Jim was the first. Jim had six younger cousins who followed in his footsteps – Guy ’56, Bob ’59, Mike ’60, Chip ’62, Steve ’69 and Marc ’72. All four of Jim’s boys attended Prep; David ’76, Tom ’77, Tim ’78 and Brian ’79, as did his three granddaughters; Angela ’94, Lisa ’99, Kelly ‘02 and grandson; Brad ‘04.

A lifetime of Jesuit education instilled in Jim a desire to “give back,” which he has done for Seattle Prep in many ways. Jim chaired the SPREE Auction in 1977 under the direction of Father Sexton, S.J., has served as a Class Captain, and volunteered many years for the Annual Appeal Phonothon. Jim and Joan have contributed every year to the Annual Appeal for over 30 years, in addition to supporting their family endowment.

In 2005, the DiJulio Family Endowment was established in honor of Jim’s dad, James P. DiJulio, Sr. Prep also has the Norma and Guy DiJulio Memorial Endowment which was established in honor of Jim’s aunt and uncle. Both endowments provide earnings that support tuition assistance for Prep students.

"Prep was the foundation of my life."

In addition to their annual gifts to Prep, Jim and Joan have made a commitment to continue their support of Prep in perpetuity. As Jim proudly states, “Seattle Prep will (is) be a beneficiary in my estate plans. It was the foundation of my life. This is a way that I can make a difference beyond my lifetime.”