A Catholic College Preparatory

A Life of Service

Father Len Calegari

Father Len Calegari '52 had a joyful heart. His gift will have a lasting impact at Serra, and on our students.

Father Len Calegari '52 was destined for a life of brotherhood. He lived a life of compassion, trust, support and joy. As the middle child of four brothers and one sister, he was raised by a family who embraced Catholic values. Len and his brothers, Marc '48, Pierre '50, Greg '55 and Michel '60 learned these values as Padres.

Father Len attended Serra in the late '40s and early '50s, when his teachers were priests. Who better to instill in him Saint Junípero Serra's values of faith, wisdom, service, community and leadership?

Father Len passed away in November of 2014. His brother, Greg '55, reminisced, "We all grew up asking ourselves, 'How can I live a life of service?'"

Chasing this dream, Father Len followed in the path of his brothers and mentors when he was ordained in 1963, when he began his 23 years of service.

As a priest, Father Len returned to Serra to teach the values that had such a positive impression on his life and brought all of these values to everything he did—teaching algebra, geometry and trigonometry, as well as coaching basketball and mentoring young Padres. He was also a Renaissance man who grew up playing the cello and becoming a connoisseur of the opera and symphony.

"Father Len was a very pastoral person, very caring," said Auxiliary Bishop William Justice '60. "He had a delightful sense of humor and really cared for his people. He was a great man, a wonderful person and always had a joyful heart."

Father Len's pursuit of service will live on forever as a member of the Father Serra Heritage Society. He included Serra as part of his estate plan in the hopes of continuing his support of Serra.

To learn more about the Father Serra Heritage Society and how you can support future Padres, contact Advancement Office at giving@serrahs.com or 650-573-9935.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Serra High School a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Serra High School, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 451 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Serra or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Serra as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Serra as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Serra where you agree to make a gift to Serra and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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