Tim Courtney’s bequest will impact patient care for years to come

Born at Providence St. Joseph Hospital just one month before the opening of Disneyland, Tim Courtney has strong ties to this community and the magic of Disney. His father worked as a custodian at St. Joseph Catholic School in Santa Ana. Tim followed his father’s example and recently retired after 45 years as a Disneyland graveyard shift custodian.

Upon retirement, Tim got busy fixing up his home in Orange. His life took an unexpected turn when he injured himself working on his garage door. After toughing it out on his own for a month, Tim realized he wasn’t improving. A trip to the Emergency Care Center revealed the reason — Tim’s mishap had left him with broken vertebrae in his spine and neck requiring surgery.

Leaving a legacy of generosity

After his surgery and recovery, Tim was inspired by the care he received from the physicians and caregivers who helped restore his health. “I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped me through my healing,” remembers Tim. “Jeremy S. Smith, M.D., and Joshua Phillips, PA-C, always put a smile on my face when I had follow-up appointments. They made me feel like more than just a patient; I felt human.”

Tim made substantial gifts to Providence St. Joseph Hospital. He transferred Disney stock to the Foundation, bypassing capital gains taxes and receiving a significant charitable tax deduction. He established a bequest to the Foundation in his living trust and made the hospital the beneficiary of his retirement accounts — one of the simplest ways to make a legacy gift — demonstrating a strategic and impactful way to give back.

“When I retired, my plan was to fix up the house and sell it, but after my accident and the incredible care I received, I realized I wanted to give back to the community that has been part of my life for so long,” Tim explains.

Christopher Dukes, director of planned giving, assisted Tim with the planned giving process. “Many people don’t realize they can make significant contributions without writing a check,” he shares. “Tim’s use of Disney stock and a bequest vehicle is a prime example of how strategic giving can be highly impactful. We are deeply grateful for Tim’s extraordinary generosity. His legacy at Providence St. Joseph will continue to benefit this community for many years.”