Patricia Canale ’85SVC, ’11MLS

Patricia P. Canale '85 SVC, '11MLS is an award-winning licensed Realtor® known for delivering results and a seamless client experience across New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and beyond—including out-of-state and international markets. With millions in closed sales, she brings sharp market insight, strategic negotiation skills, and a personal touch to every transaction.

Specializing in both residential and commercial real estate, Patricia has extensive experience guiding sellers, buyers, and investors. As a trusted resource for transactions involving trusts and estates, she adeptly navigates estate sales, family transitions, and complex fiduciary matters. Whether liaising with family members, attorneys, inspectors, appraisers, overseeing clean-outs, or coordinating with financial institutions, Patricia tailors her approach to each unique situation. Her background in operations and project management ensures every detail is handled with precision, setting her apart in even the most complex transactions.

Known for professionalism, discretion, and a client-first mindset, Patricia takes pride in making challenging deals feel smooth and stress-free. As a certified real estate negotiator with a luxury agent designation, she provides elevated service and targeted strategies.

As a proud double alumna of St. John’s University, with both a Bachelor's and Master's degree, Patricia combines academic discipline with real-world savvy to deliver exceptional outcomes. Whether selling an inherited property, managing a trust-owned asset, buying a first home, divesting a multifamily investment, or building a real estate portfolio, Patricia is a trusted advisor who gets it done—with skill, heart, and integrity.

Donna Furey ’01L

Donna Furey is an elder law attorney with an office located at 44-14 Broadway, Astoria, New York. She received her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Bernard M. Baruch College. She is licensed to practice law in NY and NJ. She was Co-Chair of the Elder Law Committee of the Queens County Bar Association from 2012 through 2019. She is Past President of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Queens County, the Women’s Bar Association of Queens County, the Flushing Lawyers Club, the Kiwanis Club of Astoria/LIC, and the East River Kiwanis Club. She is a member of the Elder Law and Trust & Estates Sections of the New York State Bar, and recently served on the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Committee for the 2nd and 13th Judicial Districts.

She is proactive in the legal and local community and received the “Community Person of the Year” award from the Powhattan & Pocahontas Regular Democratic Club in 2015 and the “Woman of the Year” award from the Kiwanis Club for her service to the community in 2009. For her participation with the St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Association, she received the Recent Graduate Service Award for 2007. She has chaired or been a member of a number of social and professional development committees, taught Continuing Legal Education classes to attorneys, judged several law student competitions, and participated in several law school panel discussions. A member of the Law-Related Education Section of the New York County Lawyers Association, she regularly speaks to students of all ages in the public schools of New York City about the need for higher education and the legal profession, and speaks at senior centers, public libraries, and church groups about estate planning, probate, and related elder law issues. She received the New York County Lawyers Association’s Pro Bono Award in November 2005.

The focus of her firm is estate planning and planning for the needs of elderly individuals, children with disabilities, and their families. The services provided by her firm include elder law, estate planning, probate and estate administration, wills, trusts, health care proxies, living wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, Medicaid planning, applications and advocacy, and real estate.

Phyllisann Polizzi Kalenka, Esq. ’87C, ’90L

Phyllisann Polizzi Kalenka, Esq. ’87C, ’90L is Partner at Spellman Gibbons Polizzi Truncale & Trentacoste, LLP with offices in Garden City, New York. Her practice concentrates primarily in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration as well as residential real estate and non-profit work for some religious organizations.

She is admitted to all New York State courts and state and federal courts in New Jersey. Ms. Kalenka’s professional memberships include the Nassau County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Estate Planning Council of Long Island.

Ms. Kalenka also serves as a Trustee as well as a lector and Eucharistic Minister in her parish of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Roslyn Harbor. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Cemeteries of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, Inc., and as a member of the Board of Directors of DeSales Media Group, Inc. for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Ms. Kalenka is a proud double graduate of St. John’s University. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government & Politics and English from St. John’s College of Arts and Sciences In 1987. She graduated magna cum laude, was Secretary of the Skull and Circle Honor Society, and received the Outstanding Student Achievement Medal. In 1990, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law after having been a St. Thomas More Scholar and member of the Moot Court Senior Bar.

Patrick J. Kearns

Patrick J. Kearns is a 4th generation funeral director and the president of Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home, which has four locations serving Queens and Long Island. Patrick graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1992 and then studied at the American Academy McAllister Institute in Manhattan where he received his Certificate of Funeral Service. He has been a New York State licensed funeral director for over 30 years.

Patrick has served on the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Board of Directors for over 20 years and is currently the organization's Vice President. He resides in Queens where he raised 5 children with his wife of 30 years.

James J. McTiernan ’80CBA

James J. McTiernan ’80CBA joined Bison Wealth, LLC in 2024 as a Financial Adviser. Previously, James was a Principal in the New York region of BNY Mellon Wealth Management. In that role, James was able to use his seasoned understanding of the needs of his clients—who include high-net-worth individuals, retirees, and small business owners—to implement client-specific strategies and successfully construct investment portfolios to meet those needs. Before joining BNY Mellon, James was a Certified Public Accountant with a large accounting firm and a Senior Financial Planner at Merrill Lynch.

James focuses on the various areas of money management, equities, mutual funds, fixed income, and alternative investments. His understanding of the capital markets and a solid work ethic have led to a successful career and solid commitment to his client service. James has more than 25 years managing investments for various clients. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Adelphi University.

He has been involved with various non-profits such as Swim Across America and served as Treasurer of The Men’s Association of Garden City. James resides in Garden City and has four children and five grandchildren. He and his spouse, Carolyn, are long-time members of the Atlantic Beach Club and the Surf Club Quogue.

Ronald J. Marciano, CRPC™, SE-AWMA®™ ’88CBA

Ronald J. Marciano ’88CBA is a Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor, Chartered Retirement Counselor™ professional, Sports & Entertainment-Accredited Wealth Management Advisor®™ designee, and Portfolio Manager with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in their Garden City, NY, office. He has been involved in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. He graduated from St. John’s University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Business Administration [now called The Peter J. Tobin College of Business].

Mr. Marciano shows a seasoned understanding of the needs of clients he serves, which include high net worth individuals, retirees, and small business owners. He focuses on the areas of money management, equities, mutual funds, insurance, and fixed income. He also implements pension and profit- sharing plans for small and medium sized companies, as well as retirement, estate planning services, and college planning.

Mr. Marciano’s investment philosophy holds capital preservation and long- term growth of capital as the most important virtues of a successful investment plan. He prides himself on his integrity that instills confidence in the clients he serves. His grasp of the capital markets, combined with his ability to tailor investment programs to individuals, can help clients meet their financial objectives and goals. He has established himself through a solid work ethic, conservative investment ideology, and solid commitment to client service.

Currently, Ron resides with his family in Garden City, NY.

He follows the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities they serve. This drives his interest in spending time volunteering with community organizations, inclusive of holding past positions as a director of the Garden City Scholarship Fund, scout leader, and soccer coach.