President
April 9, 2018
photo: Joe Allegretti with students Evan Gilhula '17 (left) and Florine St. Eloi '19 (right).
Joseph B. Allegretti, a member of the Board of Regents whose generosity enabled scores of students to attend the University of Portland on full scholarships, passed away on Friday, April 6, with his wife Helen and their family by his side.
Details about a Funeral Mass and other arrangements will be shared as available.
“We are deeply saddened by Joe’s passing,” said Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., University President. “He was a bighearted man, and he will be forever remembered for his devout Catholic faith, his service to the University, and his incredible generosity that changed the lives of 40 ‘Allegretti Scholars’ by making their UP aspirations come true.”
A member of the Board of Regents since 2007, Joe Allegretti provided over $4 million in full tuition scholarships to students who exemplified academic excellence and engagement, and who had to overcome personal adversity and hardship. Joe ensured they could pursue their careers at UP without worry of financial need. Over the years, Joe stayed personally in touch with each Allegretti Scholar, not only during their years at UP, but throughout their lives after The Bluff. He was a faithful attendee at the University’s Scholarship Luncheon every year, where he proudly posed for photographs with his scholars.
While the students Joe supported came primarily from Seattle, Nevada, and California, he also provided two scholarships to students from Haiti, Jean-François Seide ’16 and Florine St. Eloi ’19. Each Allegretti scholarship was supported personally by Joe and bears the name of his family members and various religious officials.
In 2001, Joe received an honorary doctorate from the University of Portland in recognition of his unwavering support of Catholic education and student scholarships.
In 2016, at a reunion of past Allegretti Scholars, his former scholarship students and their families announced the Joe and Helen Allegretti Endowed Scholarship, which will carry on his legacy of giving.
A resident of Carson City, Nevada, Joe was an investment manager and land developer. He has served as chairman of the board of directors of Allegretti & Company, a real estate development firm based in California, since 1986. He has been a member of that board since 1962 and was president from 1979-1990.
He remained devoted to his high school alma mater, Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., serving on the board of directors from 1980-1989, including four years as president (1982-1986). Other professional associations include the Manufacturers’ Shipping Association board of directors (1977-1982), including his last year as president.
Joe is survived by his wife Helen, their four children, and eleven grandchildren.
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