St. Thomas Aquinas alum honored at prayer service, room dedication

With a reverent blend of tears, laughter, prayer and patriotism, St. Thomas Aquinas High School celebrated the memory of one of its graduates who had accomplished much in his short, faith-filled life. The Edison Catholic school hosted a Nov. 13 prayer service and dedicated the Anthony Raspa Alumni Lounge, named for the Class of 2008 alumnus and New Jersey State Trooper who died in the line of duty in 2015.

The school’s gymnasium was filled to capacity for the event, populated by people from all three of Raspa’s “families”: St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Metuchen Diocese personnel; N.J. State Police and members of the Raspa clan, including his parents, Salvatore and Elizabeth; three sisters Maria, Stephanie and Christina; and grandmother. Student-led songs and intercessions were interwoven with displays of patriotism by law enforcement in the ceremony which highlighted the young man’s twin loves of God and country. Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, diocesan Vicar General, presided over the prayer service and reflected upon Raspa’s legacy.

“Only our bodies die; his soul still lives,” Father Toborowsky reminded the congregation. “We can remember his life in the halls he walked, on the fields he played. It reminds us of a life well-lived [with] the virtues of honor, duty and fidelity. Take something from his life and learn from him.”

Raspa was born in New Brunswick and was a lifelong resident of Highland Park. He was a communicant of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, where he attended elementary school before enrolling in Bishop George Ahr/St. Thomas Aquinas High School. There, he was a member of the Peer Leadership program, contributed to the school newspaper, played football, was captain of the wrestling team and received the Greater Middlesex County Sportsmanship Award. 

Upon his 2008 high school graduation, Raspa enrolled in the University of Delaware where he participated in the “Around the World Study Abroad Program,” was a member of the crew team and the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. He earned his bachelor’s degree in three years and graduated from the university in 2012.

Raspa enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on October 4, 2013, as a member of the 152nd Class and was assigned to Troop “C” Red Lion and Hamilton Stations. He died May 30, 2015, at the age of 24 while on duty when his patrol car struck a deer. Anthony Raspa served with the N.J. State Police for one year and seven months.

N.J. State Police Lt. Colonel Patrick J. Callahan recalled it was he who was tasked with the heartbreaking duty to inform the family of their son’s death. Though his tenure had been brief, he said, the young trooper’s impact on his fellow officers remained.

“His legacy lives on. We are not only here for the dedication of a room, but also for who will pick up the baton. He showed you how to carry it and what to do with it,” Callahan said. “One of his favorite scriptural passages was from the Book of Isaiah: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘Send me!’ [Is. 6:8] My hope and my prayer,” he concluded, “is that no matter where you go, you answer that. Let us take a page from his book.”

Raspa’s youngest sister, Christina, recalled how close the siblings were despite a 12-year age difference. 

She admitted, “On paper, he may seem to be an average guy, but he was full of love and willpower, strength of mind and strength of character. I was in seventh grade when I lost my brother, but he never made me feel small.”

The young woman continued, “I strive to be like him, to make everything positive… He was a true man of faith, of faith like a mustard seed.” Quoting a poem the family had found in Anthony’s possessions, Christina Raspa said, “Our lives are limited, but opportunities are limitless.”