Principals & Vice-Principals

Mr. M. Daly, Principal

B.Sc. (Boston University)

Mark Daly was born to James and Margaret Daly and, with his two brothers Kevin and Brian, grew up on the West Mountain of Hamilton. A product of the HWCDSB, Mr. Daly attended St. Teresa of Avila CES and graduated from Cathedral Boys’ High School in 1988. Mr. Daly earned a Basketball Scholarship to Boston University where he played four years of NCAA Division I Basketball.

While a Terrier at BU, Mr. Daly earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, and met his future wife Rowena who is currently an elementary Principal at St. Agnes CES. During his basketball career, Mr. Daly was Team Captain at BU and participated in the 1990 NCAA Tournament Championship. He was named an NCAA Academic All-America, was a 1992 Rhodes Scholar Finalist, represented Canada at the 1990 Pan-American Games, and played professional basketball for the Hamilton Skyhawks of the now defunct World Basketball League.

Mr. Daly’s Mathematics teaching career began in the Halton Catholic District School Board, where he taught for 5 ½ years at St. Thomas Aquinas CSS in Oakville, Ontario. He then taught at Bishop Ryan CSS for 2 ½ years, and at Cathedral High School for five more years until June of 2005. Mr. Daly then served CHS as Vice-Principal for 4 years before being appointed Principal of St. Jean de Brébeuf CSS in September of 2009. Throughout his career, Mr. Daly coached Senior Boys’ Basketball with both of his brothers winning numerous championships. Many of his former players went on to successful athletic and academic careers at the University and Professional levels.

After six enjoyable years at SJB, Mr. Daly returned to Cathedral in September of 2015 where he currently serves as Principal. Mr. Daly’s father James was previously Principal of Cathedral Boys’ High School from 1981-1985.

Mr. Daly and his wife are proud parents of four children: Miranda, Colin, Andrew and Sarah. Mr. Daly, his father, brothers, and all of his children either currently attend or have graduated from CHS.

Mr. Daly thanks God for all of his life’s blessing, and considers it an honor to serve the staff and students of Cathedral High School.

Mrs. C. Defend-Ionico, Vice-Principal

B.A. (Toronto - St. Michael's College); B.Ed. (Toronto)

Mrs. Defend-Ionico grew up in Toronto where she attended to Madonna High School. She continued her education at the University of Toronto, St Michael’s College, where she received an Honours Bachelor's of Arts degree and a Bachelor's of Education degree from the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. She started her teaching career with the Toronto Catholic School Board, working at Don Bosco Secondary School with the Salesian Fathers. She moved to the Hamilton-area and has worked at St Mary’s and Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary Schools as a Business and Co-op teacher. In 2010, Mrs. Defend-Ionico was appointed Vice Principal at St Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School. Three years later, she became Vice-Principal of Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary.

Mrs. Defend-Ionico is excited to be at Cathedral High School and is passionate about student success in education. Her office is located within the Attendance Office on the main level of the building.

Mr. J. Pusztay, Vice-Principal

B.A. (McMaster), B.Ed. (Toronto)

Mr. Pusztay hails from the East End of Hamilton where he attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School before graduating from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School where as President of the Student Council he coined the famous call “We are....B.R.!” Mr. Pusztay earned his Double Honours Bachelor of Arts degrees from McMaster University and spent his third year of studies studying at the University of Paris and the University of Florence respectively before returning to McMaster to complete his fourth and final year. Mr. Pusztay obtained his Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Toronto in 1990 and soon afterwards began his first teaching assignment at the original St. Thomas More High School. In September 1990, Mr. Pusztay began his official career at Cathedral Boys’ High School with classes held between the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools until June 1994. In September 1994, Mr. Pusztay returned to his “Alma Mater”, Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, and remained there until June 2002 when he was promoted to Department Head of English and International Languages at the current Cathedral High School. After a period of two years, Mr. Pusztay was promoted to the position of Vice-Principal in 2004 at the new St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School where he remained until June 2008. Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School became his new home in September 2008 where he would remain for the next five years before receiving the exciting and jubilant news that he would be returning for his third time to his beloved Cathedral in September 2013.

Mr. Pusztay has recently been voted "Teacher with the Most School Spirit" and his infectious laugh puts a smile on everyone's face. His office is located within the Attendance Office on the main level of the building.

Mr. M. Lawlor, Vice-Principal

B.A. (McMaster), B.Ed. (Brock), M.Ed. (Toronto)

Mr. Lawlor loves working with the Cathedral community! Having graduated from St. Ann Elementary on the corner of Barton Street and Sherman Avenue, Mr. Lawlor is excited to be working with students, teachers and parents in the area of the city where he grew-up. Mr. Lawlor began his career teaching History and Religion at Cardinal Newman eventually serving as Department Head of Religious Studies at that school for four years. Just prior to being named Vice-Principal, he also served as the school's Learning Partner. Mr. Lawlor has a passion for developing student leaders and was heavily involved in the school's Student Council and the district's Student Council Presidents' Council. In addition, he has presented numerous times at the prestigious When Faith Meets Pedagogy conference and is a recent recipient of the school board's Director of Education Award.

Mr. Lawlor is dedicated to his students and is always available for help. His office is located within the Attendance Office on the main level of the building.