PETER F. SECCHIA MEMORIAL ORGAN

The Honorable Peter Finley Secchia was born in New Jersey in 1937, the grandson of Italian immigrants. He served in the Marine Corps from 1956-1959, having earned the rank of Sergeant E-4. He then attended Michigan State University, from which he received a business degree in 1962. He met his wife, Joan Peterson, while at MSU; they were married in 1964. Secchia began work as a salesman for the Grand Rapids company, Universal Forest Products upon graduation, and bought the company about a decade later. He was a key figure in the 1976 re-election campaign for incumbent President Gerald R. Ford, which began Secchia’s involvement in politics. After serving as Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Italy and San Marino from 1989-1993. His service earned him the highest public service award from the Italian Republic, the Cavaliere di Gran Croce. Upon his return to Grand Rapids, he became a well-known force in philanthropy throughout West Michigan. After a long and decorated career in business and public life, he died in 2020 at the age of 83. His widow, Joan Secchia Nowak, and her family gifted the parish this pipe organ in his memory, particularly highlighting his Italian heritage and ambassadorial service.