QUINCY — Ray Heilmann has been selected to receive the 2013 Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools (QCES) Foundation's Friend of Catholic Education Award in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to Quincy Notre Dame, and his many years of support for Quincy's Catholic elementary schools.

Established in 2009, the award recognizes a person, couple or organization whose contributions have significantly fostered and strengthened Catholic schools in the Quincy community. Before retiring from Quincy Notre Dame in June 2012 after 39 years of service, Heilmann had served as an English teacher and assistant football coach for nine years and as the assistant principal for 13 years. In 1995, Heilmann was named as the first lay principal in the 128-year history of Quincy Notre Dame High School, a position he held until his retirement.

"I have had the wonderful privilege to know Ray as a teacher, administrator and friend. His dedication and positive attitude toward his students and Catholic education has been an inspiration to me on how I can be a better administrator," said Chris Reichert, principal of Blessed Sacrament School. "My family and I have been blessed to have Ray in our lives. He has been such a positive force in so many lives and this is just one way to honor all that he has done for our students, Quincy Notre Dame and Catholic education."

Quincy Notre Dame High School Principal Mark McDowell said, "Ray has been the face of Catholic education in Quincy for nearly four decades. His passion for Catholic education has been limitless. Anyone who has had the opportunity to work with Ray knows of his incredible energy and enthusiasm. His life as an educator was much more than a career; it was a true vocation. This award recognizes his dedication to Quincy's Catholic schools, in particular Quincy Notre Dame. As a teacher, coach, and administrator, Ray put his students first. This honor is a way for us to show our gratitude to Ray for all he has done to foster Catholic education in Quincy."

Heilmann will be honored at a fundraising dinner on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Quincy Holiday Inn, 4821 Oak Street. A social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program to follow. Tickets for the dinner are $100 per person. Corporate table sponsorships are available for $1,000 and include eight dinner tickets. Revenue from the dinner will go toward the QCES Foundation's Tuition Assistance Fund for Quincy's four Catholic elementary schools.

Since 2009, the QCES Foundation has awarded nearly $250,000 in tuition assistance to families with students enrolled at Blessed Sacrament, St. Dominic, St. Francis and St. Peter schools.

To purchase tickets or sponsor a corporate table for the award dinner honoring Heilmann, or to donate to the QCES Foundation's Tuition Assistance Fund, contact Paul Rittof, executive director of the QCES Foundation, at (217) 779-3157 or .