Michael Canty Memorial Fund
On September 11, 2001, Michael’s life was taken on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center. Mike was a 30-year old beautiful, caring person, and a special gift to us all. We are thankful that Michael was part of our lives. We are thankful for so many happy and precious memories that will be with us for as long as we live.
To honor Michael’s legacy, our family has established the Michael Canty Memorial Fund, to provide scholarships and awards in Mike’s memory.
Mike had an easy way of recalling his childhood imagination, and his nieces and nephews adored him. Kids were a central part of Mike’s life and he really knew how to make them smile. He gave, mostly in the way of love, support, and humor. The scholarship fund created in Michael’s name will allow him to continue to give to children in need for many years to come.
This web-page provides detailed information about Mike’s Memorial Fund and is divided into the following three sections:
1) Donor Information
2) Recipient Information
3) Memorial Fund Guidelines
1) Donor Information:
From its inception in 2001, Mike’s Memorial Fund met with tremendous success and the Fund has received contributions from many corporations and individuals. The fund is a qualified charity and contributions are tax deductible under the IRS code section 501©(3). If you are interested in contributing,
By check - please make check payable to “Michael Canty Memorial Fund”, and mail to:
Michael Canty Memorial Fund c/o Bill Canty
20 Church Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
2) Recipient Information:
We would like to keep you aware of the awards being made in Michael’s memory throughout the years. You are always welcome to contact Mike’s brother Bill Canty at 518-885-3230 with any questions.
Schenectady High School Scholarship Awards:
Mike’s Fund was established in 2001 with a primary goal of funding scholarships at Schenectady High School. As of January 1, 2024, a total of $494,000 has been awarded for scholarships to graduates of Schenectady High School. The present scholars receive $7,500 a year while in undergraduate study.
The following twenty two students have received Michael R. Canty Memorial Scholarships:
Class of 2023: Talia McDuffie attending Utica College in Utica, NY & Marina Tchako-Tiako attending NYU in New York, NY
Class of 2022: Kamiyah Cusaac attending SUNY Albany in Albany, NY
Class of 2021: Jeremiah Davis attending Utica College in Utica, NY
Class of 2020: Niya Hope-Glenn attending Howard University in Washington D.C.
Class of 2019: Monica Rathbone attending Columbia College Chicago, IL
Class of 2018: Sohan Rambharose attending Siena College in Loudonville, NY
Class of 2017: DeSean Fortune attending Alfred University in Alfred, NY
Class of 2016: Tiyana Epperson attending The College of St Rose in Albany, NY
Class of 2015: Sam Veglia attending at SUNY at Fredonia in Fredonia, NY
Class of 2014: Emma Ward 2018 graduate of University of Hartford in Hartford, CT
Class of 2013: Marjorie Drohan 2017 graduate of Canisius College, Buffalo, NY
Class of 2012: Raya Macolm 2016 graduate of Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Class of 2011: Kelly Spencer 2015 graduate of SUNY at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
Class of 2010: Bonnie Fitzgerald to attend School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Class of 2009: Sara Bonacquist 2013 graduate of SUNY Coll. of Environ. Sci. & Forestry.
Class of 2008: Brynna Baldauf 2012 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology.
Class of 2007: Joshua Flacke 2011 graduate of Clarkson University.
Class of 2006: Seamus McNamee-Perez 2010 graduate of Sacred Heart University.
Class of 2005: Kelsey Lupo 2009 graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Class of 2004: Akil Middleton 2008 graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Class of 2003: Anna Hendrick 2007 graduate of Boston University.
Class of 2002: Patrick Meade 2006 graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Loyola College Financial Aid:
A financial award has also been established in Mike’s memory at his college, Loyola College in Baltimore, MD. The Loyola award is used to assist students who incur financial setbacks during the school year because of such things as a death in the family, a layoff of a financial provider, or a serious illness of an immediate family member. As of July 31, 2016, over $17,000 has been contributed to the Mike Fund at Loyola College.
Sponsor-A-Scholar Program:
Mike’s Fund participates as a sponsor in The Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar program by sponsoring students at Schenectady High School. This program assists and encourages economically disadvantaged young men and women to graduate from high school and attend college. The program has over a 92% success rate of getting their students into college.
From 2011 thru 2015 Mike’s Fund contributed $140,000 to this program. In addition it has pledged an additional $80,000 to be paid on October 31st in the years 2016 thru 2019 bringing a total commitment of $220,000 to the Sponsor-a-Scholar program.
3) Memorial Fund Guidelines:
The awards to Graduates of Schenectady High School are based on the personality and character traits of the applicant and his or her relationship with others, as well as academics and financial need. Successful applicants are ones who are well respected by his or her peers and also ones who show respect to the faculty, fellow students, and others in the community. Input from a steering committee of faculty members is very important in making these determinations.
At Loyola College the determinations for the awards are made by the college’s Financial Aid Office applying the criteria established for the award.
The Sponsor-a-Scholar awards are made by the Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar program based on their criteria. For further information on this program visit their web site at www.crsas.org .
Please contact Mike’s brother Bill Canty at 518-885-3230.
Thank-you for your interest in The Michael Canty Memorial Fund. Please join us in honoring Mike by moving forward… to live life to the fullest… to treat each day as a gift.
Web page note: Canty Financial Management, Inc. and the Michael Canty Memorial Fund, Inc. are separate and independent entities.