By LEAH WEATHERSBY

Dr. Joseph Haggerty, the principal of Blanchet High School from 1979 to 1999, passed away on Feb. 28, Ash Wednesday, approximately an hour before the earthquake. He was 68.

Haggerty, who was originally from Minnesota, received a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn., and went on to study for the priesthood in Rome. He was ordained in 1958 and served as a pastor, teacher and administrator at the Diocese of Winona until 1970.

Haggerty moved to Seattle in 1971. That year he also married his wife Margaret (who later became dean at Seattle University and is now retired).

Prior to his arrival at Blanchet, Haggerty served as principal at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in West Seattle for five years and served as a regional representative for the National Catholic Educational Association.

At Blanchet, Haggerty began a campaign to raise funds for a new school library and activity center, established an endowment fund and raised staff salaries. He retired from Blanchet two years ago to travel.

"He was a very good principal," said Lynn Burns, alumni and development coordinator for Blanchet. "He was what you would call a visionary. He would take the long view of things." Haggerty is survived by 223 relatives - including siblings nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews - on his side of the family alone.

One of his nieces, Maureen Blum, is the principal of Our Lady of the Lake School in Wedgwood. Blum remembers her uncle as a mentor and an inspiration.

"He had a great sense of humor, " said Blum. "He was one of my guides."

Contributions can be made to the Joseph R. Haggerty Scholarship Fund at 9223 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136. (