Joseph Degan
President
A native of Bridgeport, West Virginia, Joseph Deegan’s life has been defined by a profound sense of community and service. The youngest of four children, Joe was only 15 months old when his father, former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph A. Deegan, passed away in 1950. In the wake of this loss, Father Charles R. Carroll—a close family friend whose history with the Deegans dated back to the first Mass in Bridgeport, celebrated in their home—became a lifelong mentor and surrogate father to Joe.
Joe’s upbringing was steeped in the life of the Church, influenced not only by Father Carroll but also by his mother, Mary, a dedicated nurse. This foundation led Joe to attend a preparatory seminary for two years before pursuing his higher education at West Virginia University. There, he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, launching a distinguished career that has spanned over 45 years.
As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and an Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor/Supervisor (AADC-S), Joe has been a pillar of the West Virginia mental health and substance use treatment community. His leadership has extended to serving as President of the West Virginia Behavioral Health Providers Association and holding board positions with the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and WV Chapter -NASW.
Joe’s commitment to his roots remains unwavering. He was instrumental in organizing the 75th Anniversary of All Saints Parish and recently led a 2025 reunion for the schools founded by his mentor. Today, he honors that lifelong bond by serving as the Moderator and President of the Guild for the Cause of Sainthood for Father Charles R. Carroll.
Joe and his wife of over 40 years, Denise, live in Cross Lanes with their cat, Penny. They have two daughters, Erin and Megan. An active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Joe serves as a cantor, lector, and choir member, and remains dedicated to the Charleston Serra Club.
Patrick D. Whalen
Vice President
Raised in Bridgeport, WV from third grade through college, Pat was a member of All Saints Church and attended All Saints Grade School. He was an altar boy for Father Carroll from fourth grade through high school, and a lector from high school through college.
Pat recalls Father Carroll as a selfless servant, with no limits, to his constant work for the many souls to whom he lovingly served as their shepherd. He believes Father Carroll was filled with “divine energy” as he carried out his passionate work as a priest to his parish, school and multiple mission churches spread throughout three counties. Pat attributes his own lifelong strong Catholic faith, not only to his loving parents, but also to the example shown by Father Carroll’s extraordinary pastoral dedication.
Pat graduated from West Virginia University and has lived in Lancaster, PA since 1981. He is retired after having been a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual for nearly 40 years.
Throughout his adult life, he has been active in his parish as a lector and an extraordinary minister of holy communion. Since 2005 he has been a member of the Order of Malta, a lay Catholic religious Order, dedicated to defending the faith and caring for the poor and the sick. Being a memberof this Order has been a most edifying experience in his life.
Pat and his wife Chris are blessed with three children, Brendan, Erin and Patrick, along with four grandchildren, Myles, Nicholas, Madelyn and Adrianna. Pat looks forward, with great anticipation, to continuing his work on the Cause for Sainthood for Father Carroll.
MaryJo Duke Lanzy
Secretary
MaryJo was born in 1958 in Clarksburg and has spent her entire life in Bridgeport. She is the youngest daughter of three siblings and, for 20 years, lived directly across the street from All Saints Catholic Church, its school, and Father Carroll’s residence. A lifelong and faithful member of All Saints, MaryJo’s deep roots in her parish community began.
At the age of six, she began her education at All Saints Catholic School. During her seventh and eighth years, she attended St. Mary’s Grade School before graduating from Notre Dame High School in 1976. Throughout her youth, MaryJo and her sisters shared their musical talents by playing the organ and singing for weddings and funerals. Their family remained deeply involved in parish life, and Father Charles R. Carroll became like a member of their own family, often visiting their home and sharing meals. When Father Carroll retired, MaryJo’s family traveled to Wheeling to visit him.
MaryJo received her sacraments from Father Carroll and, in 1978, married her husband, Al, at All Saints Catholic Church. Together, they have one son, Joseph. Over the years, she has remained an active parishioner, serving as a Catechism teacher and volunteering in numerous youth activities and church events.
Professionally, MaryJo retired from the Harrison County Board of Education after a dedicated career as a Special Education Aide. She served as a substitute aide for five years before earning a permanent position at Simpson Elementary School in 2008, where she faithfully worked for 15 years. MaryJo considers one of her greatest blessings to have been the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother during her son’s early years before later working part-time for a close family friend. Then from 1992 until 2001, MaryJo and her sisters owned and operated Bridgeport Dairy King.
Today, MaryJo cherishes the many fond memories of her lifelong faith journey while feeling privileged and honored to devote her time and efforts to the Cause of Sainthood for Father Charles R. Carroll. She continues to serve as a grateful and devoted parishioner of All Saints Catholic Church.
Susanne “Susie” Marra Graeber
Treasurer
Born in 1954 to Louis(Jiggs) and Helen Benda Marra, Galloway, WV, Susie is one of their six children. She was baptized by Fr. Robert Nash, Fr. Carroll’s only assistant, at The Little Flower Church, Galloway. Moving to Bridgeport in 1958, we were able to receive a Catholic education at All Saints School, total tuition paid by Fr. Carroll.
Her Grandparents, Frank and Mary Marra, along with the Costello family, provided the use of their co-owned hall for early church service in Brownton. Mary also started the church’s spaghetti dinner fundraisers.
Fr. Carroll married her parents Feb. 1946 in his rectory prior to having an actual church in Bridgeport. He also married Susie and her husband, Mark(a convert) in 1977. They have two sons, raised in the Catholic Church. She worked almost 45 years as a Radiologic Technologist at United Hospital Center (formerly St. Mary’s and Union Protestant Hospitals) where Fr. Carroll first started as Chaplain.When going to mass, Novenas or Stations of the Cross in Brownton or Galloway, Fr. Carroll would pick up her two aunts in Flemington. Pauline played the organ and Elizabeth led the singing. Susie would often be with them traveling many curvy roads!
Susie, a lifelong All Saints member, has been active in their Women’s Club, former Communion minister, Vacation Bible School assistant, Healthcare Ministry committee, and any task asked.
She was on the committee for the first All Saints and St. Francis Borgia School Reunion held June 2025. Both schools were founded by Fr. Carroll. Her spiritual devotion has been deeply influence by his endeavors.
Susie is excited and honored to be a part of the Cause for Sainthood for Fr. Carroll.
Monica Quagliotti Nordstrand
Raised in Brownton, Monica is the youngest child of one of the originating families of Sacred Heart Church (Zekans and Quagliottis). Monica, born in 1964, grew up during Father Carroll’s final years in the parish. Witnessing her 3 older brothers as altar servers she was always eager to be an active participant in liturgies and church life.
As she recalls, she grew up thinking Father Carroll was part of her family. She looked forward to his visits to her home when he called upon her homebound grandfather and later when he would stop by just to check in on the family. Appropriately, she and her parents would travel to Wheeling to spend time visiting with Father Carroll when he was eventually forced into retirement.
Monica received sacraments from Father Carroll and was married at All Saints Catholic church. She attended West Virginia University and spent many years working in public relations, marketing, and sales. She spent the last 30 years in Texas working, raising two sons, and volunteering in her local parish.
She became an extraordinary minister of holy communion and served her parish in care for the homebound and many other volunteer roles. Her most beloved job, beyond being a mom, was working at True Cross Catholic School. Caring for the families, children and staff of the school was a true blessing.
Monica and her husband Joe have two sons, Leif and Cyrus; both working and in university in Texas. Recently, Monica, Joe, and their beloved pack of canines moved to the mountains of Virginia. Monica looks forward to devoting efforts for the Cause for Sainthood for Father Carroll and volunteering with her new parish family.
Suzanne “Suzie” Parker Forster
Suzie Forster was born on December 29, 1952, in Fairmont, West Virginia. She is the youngest daughter of Gertrude, the youngest sister of Fr. Carroll. Suzie’s father passed away when she was two years old, leaving her mother pregnant with her sixth child. During those difficult years, Fr. Carroll provided both emotional and financial support, bringing food at the holidays, offering guidance, and welcoming the family to the rectory. Suzie recalls fond childhood memories there, along with stories shared by her aunt, Sister Theophane of St. Mary’s Hospital, about Fr. Carroll’s tireless work throughout the region and the communities he served.
These early experiences left Suzie with a lasting impression of Fr. Carroll as a kind, holy, and dedicated man. Within the family, he became legendary for his service—traveling the countryside to celebrate Mass and even driving the school bus each day. To Suzie, he was not only a beloved uncle but a true shepherd who deeply loved his people.
Suzie attended St. Peter’s School in Fairmont and later graduated as salutatorian from Wheeling College in 1975 with a degree in Sociology. She worked as a social worker before dedicating herself to raising her four children: Nick, Chris, Tim, and Annie. She later returned to Wheeling Jesuit University, where she worked for over 14 years, helping ensure her children received a Jesuit education. Over the years, she has been active in several parishes, including All Saints in Bridgeport which felt especially meaningful because her uncle founded the parish.
Fifteen years ago, Suzie moved to St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Terry. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and remains active in parish life as a Eucharistic Minister, funeral choir member, and volunteer with outreach efforts including St. Vincent de Paul and projects serving the homeless community.
Suzie considers it a great honor to represent her family in the Cause for Sainthood and has been deeply moved by the Guild members faith and dedication. She hopes to continue to support the effort while sharing her uncle’s legacy throughout the Midwest.
John “Al” Quagliotti Jr.
Al was born in 1950 and lived in the small coal mining town of Brownton, WV until his graduation from West Virginia University. He was blessed to be raised in a staunch Catholic family that attended every service held in the Sacred Heart Church with Father Charles R. Carroll as their pastor. He developed his faith from the example of his hard working father and learned about Jesus from his devout Mother and the nuns who Father Carroll drove to the church on Saturdays for Catechism.
Al idolized Father Carroll and wanted to become a priest like him, even before his First Communion. He served as an altar boy at every mass, novena and stations of the cross at Sacred Heart until he left for college, and every Sunday when he returned for a visit. Although his own vocation went by the wayside, Al’s respect and admiration for Father Carroll continued to grow as his watched this devoted servant of God devote his life to spread the gospel and serve his parishioners.
Al earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Virginia University and worked for 52 years as an environmental geologist. Guided by our Catholic faith’s call to care for creation and to protect the Earth for future generations, he devoted his career to investigating and remediating sites with contaminated soil and groundwater.
Inspired by the example of Father Carroll, Al has been active in his parishes as an extraordinary minister of communion and involved in homebound ministries. He returned to his early ministry as an altar server at age 70 and serves daily masses and funerals. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Al and his college soulmate Jackie live in suburban Pittsburgh, PA and have been married for 53 years. They are blessed to have a daughter Melissa, and talented grandchildren Benjamin and Mckenna. Al may someday retire from professional work, but considers his ongoing participation in the cause for Sainthood of Father Carroll one of the greatest blessings of his life!
Judith “Judy” Marra Dolan
Born in 1947 into a family of hardworking coal miners, merchants, teachers, and Catholics devoted to supporting the early mission churches of Father Carroll, Judy received her sacraments from him and grew up with the Catholic faith at the center of her life. Father Carroll drove the Sisters of St. Joseph to the missions on Saturdays to teach catechism lessons to the children at The Little Flower Church, Galloway.
After her family moved to Bridgeport in 1958, Judy attended All Saints Grade School and then Notre Dame High School where she was Salutatorian of her class. The tuition at both schools was paid in full by Father Carroll! She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Latin from West Virginia University, and at age 50 she earned her Masters in Education. She attributes her success in school to Father Carroll and the Sisters for the excellent educational foundation that they provided in her youth.
Judy was a parochial and public school teacher in Clarksburg for 35 years. She taught elementary students for 22 years and secondary Latin students for 13 years.
Now a 44 year member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Stonewood, Judy has served her parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion, a lector, a CCD teacher, a parish council member and president, Catholic Charities board member, and a choir member. She remembers that Father Carroll frequently used to say that “singing is praying twice.” She also belongs to the parish ladies club, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and several lay organizations.
Father Carroll married Judy and John on June 20, 1970 at All Saints Church, Bridgeport. They have two children, Julie (Ryan) Frombach and John II, PharmD (Ashley) Dolan, both WVU graduates, and five grandchildren, ages 7 to 22.
Judy enjoys retirement with family, especially the grandchildren, and her church family. Never forgetting the impact of her early faith development and Catholic education, she feels compelled to serve on the Guild for the Cause for Sainthood for Father Carroll.
Gerard “Gerry” Schmidt
Gerry was born and raised in Fairmont WV and has seven brothers and sisters who all attended and received all sacraments at St. Peter the Fisherman Parish. He attended St. Peter’s Grade School and with thoughts of becoming a priest, he attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary in 1968. Gerry went on to graduate from Fairmont State College with a degree in Psychology and attended WVU where he received a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Gerry recently retired as Chief Operations Officer at Valley HealthCare System after 53 years in the substance abuse/behavioral health treatment profession. Gerry was active in both state and national programs providing consultation and training regarding substance use treatment. He is currently seeing clients in a private practice in Fairmont. His ongoing involvement in community programs has led him to chair a variety of organizations over the years, including being a member of Rotary, Chair of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Chair of The Community Foundation and Vice Chair of the Fairmont State Foundation. As a youth altar boy, Gerry first met Fr. Carroll when he attended several events at All Saints as a visiting altar boy, such as 40 Hours and May Procession Celebrations at the old All Saints church building. He had other occasions over the years to meet Fr. Carroll through his uncle, Monsignor Slyvester Staud. His uncle had such respect and admiration for Fr. Carroll and his life’s work at All Saints and the mission churches. In the times I witnessed Fr. Carroll there was no doubt he cared for and took care of all, no matter what the circumstance. Gerry and his wife Nancy are active members of All Saints Parish and he is currently the Vice Chair of the All Saints Pastoral Council.