New Jersey’sIrish American Leaders

2016

Easter, 1916…I write it out in verse-

MacDonagh and MacBrideAnd Connolly and Pearse

Now and in time to be,Wherever green is worn,

Are changed, changed utterly:A terrible beauty is born.

W. B. Yeats- September 25, 1916

PolitickerNJ.com once again offers a ‘profiled’ list of New Jersey’s current Irish American leaders and activists as a salute to the annual St. Patrick’s Day activities and the Irish ‘high holy days’.

The list is an acknowledgement of accomplishments, contributions and community service. It includes both veterans of previous lists and newcomers alike, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to their Irish American heritage.

This year’s list was compiled to commemorate both the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the centennial celebration of the 1916 Easter Rising, otherwise known as the Easter Rebellion, an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter week 1916.

The Rising was an armed effort to end British rule in Ireland and an attempt to establish an independent Irish Republic. Historians consider it one of the pivotal events in Irish history. Planned by the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) it was the opening salvo of the Irish War for Independence.

Sixteen of the leaders were executed including every one of the seven who signed the Proclamation declaring an Irish Republic. Thousands more were arrested by the British following the end of the five day armed rebellion.

One of those leaders, James Connolly (1868-1916), helped found the Irish Labor Party and was head of the Irish Citizen Army, among other notable achievements. He joined the IRB military council, was appointed VP of the proclaimed Irish Republic and commanded military operations at the General Post Office during the insurrection. __________________________________________________________

James Connelly is the one signer of the Proclamation with a connection to Newark, New Jersey

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Connolly is the one Proclamation signatory with a Newark, NJ connection. He lived on Hawthorne Avenue and worked as a trade union organizer and machinist at the Singer Sewing Machine factory in Elizabeth. After years in America with his family, he returned to Ireland in 1910.

When the Irish forces surrendered on April 29, Connolly, severely wounded, was subsequently court-martialed and sentenced to death by firing squad.

He was taken by ambulance to the infamous Kilmainham prison, carried by stretcher to the yard and, unable to stand, he was tied to a chair and shot. He was buried in a mass grave. No coffin.

What was seminal about his execution was the anger it engendered among the Irish populace who up to that point had shown little sympathy for the rebel cause. The executions helped galvanize support for the cause and

inspired Irish nationalism and resentment for the British.

From Dublin and back to Newark… a final note: this year’s 81st Anniversary St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newark is scheduled for Friday, March 11 at 1:00pm. Grand Marshal John J. Farmer, Jr. and Deputy Grand Marshal Barbara A. Lyons will lead the parade.

Tom Barrett, compiler of the list, admires the Newark parade’s sense of tradition and staying power. His father was a 3-time chairman of the

Newark Parade. Once again, the list is purely subjective. We hope you enjoy it.

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John A. Brennan, MD. MPH, Executive VP for Barnabas Health, President & CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. 2014 Newark Grand Marshal.

Joseph P. Brennan, Esq. Former 3-term Essex County Surrogate. Twice elected West Orange Council president. Vietnam War veteran awarded the Bronze Star. Former Grand Marshal of West Orange Irish Parade.

Laurel Brennan. Highly regarded South Jersey Labor leader now serving fourth term as Secretary-Treasurer of the State AFL-CIO. 2014 recipient of The Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award given annually to NJ women for outstanding contributions to the state.

Meghan Barrett Burke. Partner/ Connell Foley Law Firm LLP. Attended National University of Ireland/ Galway, honors graduate Providence College, Seton Hall Law School alum. Married at Ballintubber Abbey, Ireland (2016 marks its 800 year old history). Roots in County Galway and County Mayo.

Bobby Byrne. Acclaimed Irish-American musician and Grand Marshal of Belmar’s 43rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade along with Deputy Grand Marshal Martha Ann McDonough Finan of Lake Como.

Brendan T. Byrne. Governor (1974-82). Last Democratic Governor to win re-election. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for navigating B-17’s over Nazi Germany. Known for his intelligence and rapier wit, considered one of NJ’s most revered elder statesmen.

Eugene J. Byrne, Esq. Trustee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges and former Grand Marshal of Newark Irish Parade. Gene has marched in the NYC Irish parade every year for 58 years.

Michael D. Byrne. General Chairman of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Youngest sub-committee chairman in Parade history.  Works for conservative candidates and causes both in NJ and nationwide.

Tom Byrne Jr. Former chairman of the NJ State Democratic Committee, Son of former Gov. Brendan T. Byrne. Founder of Byrne Asset Management LLP. Currently member/ New Jersey Pension and Health Benefit Study Commission.

Brian Campbell. Finance Executive, Writer/Essayist. Featured in the Boston Herald, Huffington Post, and Wall Street Journal. Silver Pen Award winner/ Star Ledger 2006. Grandson of George Bell, Grand Marshal of 1961 Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Dennis F. Carey, III. Well-respected Essex County Superior Court Judge.

Grandson of the legendary Dennis “I run Essex” Carey who as Essex Democratic Chairman (1953 – 1969) engineered a 50,000 countywide vote plurality for JFK in 1960.

Michael Patrick Carroll. GOP member of the State Assembly (R-25), a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the son of Maurice (Mickey) Carroll, former NY Herald Tribune reporter who is presently director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute.

Robert “Bobby” Carroll. Son of the late and famed labor leader ‘Big’ Jim Carroll of Heavy Construction Laborer’s Local 472 in Newark. Currently a successful attorney in private practice in New Jersey.

Chip Cavanaugh. Well-regarded Chairman/Belmar & Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Chip’s mom, Jackie, was 2013 Deputy Grand Marshal.

Dennis M. Cavanaugh. Former U.S. District Court Judge/ District of NJ whose mother was born in County Clare, Ireland. Related to the late Frank McGovern, the famous proprietor of McGovern’s Tavern in Newark. Now in private practice.

James A. Cavanaugh. Former Essex County Freeholder, now successful Morristown restaurateur and owner of the Iron Bar. Former Grand Marshal of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D. President and CEO/ Clara Maass Medical Center. Only person who holds a BSN, MSN and a Ph.D in nursing from Seton Hall University. 2013 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.

Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. Accomplished attorney and a Sister of Charity. President/Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey.

Richard J. Codey. Served with distinction and bi-partisan praise as New Jersey’s Governor and as President of the NJ Senate. Strong advocate for mental health reforms. One of the most influential and longest serving

legislative leaders in New Jersey history.

Jere’ Cole. Essex County Sheriff’s officer (retired) and currently National Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Pat Colligan. Resolute, well spoken President of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association representing almost 33,000 local, county, state & federal Law Enforcement Officers throughout New Jersey.

Jack Collins. Former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. College Professor. Basketball Coach. Lawyer. Farmer.

Mary Higgins Clark. Renowned Irish story teller, award winning novelist, author of more than 42 books, (sales in the U.S. alone number over 80 million). Resident of Bergen County and Grand Marshal of the 2011 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Patricia K. Costello. Essex County Assignment Judge (retired), now in private practice with Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC. Judicial career spanned 25 years. Essex County Irishwoman of the Year 2016.

Craig Coughlin. Democratic Assemblyman from Woodbridge. Craig serves on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and as Chairman and the Labor Committee.

Mary Pat Foster Christie. First Lady of New Jersey. Investment banker, University of Delaware grad, MBA Seton Hall University, ninth of 10 children born to an Irish Catholic family in the Philadelphia suburbs.Essex County Irishwoman of the Year 2011.

Joseph Cryan. Union County Sheriff. Son of the late and legendary John F. Cryan. Former State Assemblyman and Chairman of the NJ Democratic State Committee. A major figure in state Democratic politics.

Michael Critchley. Highly regarded Defense Attorney, involved with

numerous Irish American and charitable organizations. Known for his brilliance in court. Essex County Irishman of the Year 2016.

Carolyn Curley, Publisher/West Essex Now, Music Minister/Choral Director DePaul Catholic HS. Lafayette College grad. Sings like an angel.

Sean Darcy. Well-known Democratic Party strategist, principal with Round World Consulting and former press secretary to Governor Richard Codey.

Erica Daughtrey. Popular and well-known Hudson County community activist. Currently serves as Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Albio Sires (D-8).

Ellen M. Davenport. Former Mayor of Maplewood/Essex County Freeholder who served as Secretary of the NJ State Senate. Essex County Irishwoman of the Year (2009).

Jimmy Davis. Former Bayonne police officer. Currently Mayor of Bayonne. Involved in numerous community fund raising including raising money for slain police officers and autism.

Ellen Marie Kelly Dickson. Former Mayor of Summit. Served two terms of City Council, including Council President.

Pat Diegnan. Assemblyman (D-18). South Plainfield. Graduate of Seton Law School, Pat is credited with spearheading legislation known as the most comprehensive laws on concussions in the country.

John J. Degnan. Chairman of the bi-state Port Authority of NY/NJ. Former NJ Attorney General, gubernatorial candidate and Vice-Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the Chubb Corporation. Harvard Law School graduate.

Matt Doherty. Mayor of Belmar. Member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh; Ancient Order of Hibernians; trustee for the Belmar Art Council. 2012 Irishman of the Year, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh.

Michael J. Doherty. GOP Member of NJ State Senate from Warren County. Graduate of West Point and Seton Hall Law School. Captain in the Army Reserves from 1985-93.

Ed Donnelly, President of the New Jersey FMBA. Seventeen year veteran, Union Fire Department.

Fr. Pat Donohue. 25-year Newark “Chaplain to the Irish.” Former Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in the Vailsburg section of Newark. 2015 Deputy Grand Marshal for the Newark Parade.

Kathe’ Donovan. Former Bergen County Executive, Clerk and former Chairlady of the New Jersey Republican State Committee. Served on the Port Authority of NY/NJ.

Tim Dougherty. Former councilman and now popular two-term Mayor of Morristown. Serves as Chief engineer at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Patrick C. Dunican, Jr. Chairman and Managing Director of the Gibbons Law Firm in Newark. Major supporter and 2013 Grand Marshal of the Newark Parade.

Margaret O’Boyle Dunigan. Active in numerous Irish American organizations. Former two term Bloomfield Councilwoman. Former Deputy Grand Marshal/Newark and Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parades. 2015 Essex County Woman of the Year.

Christopher Durkin. Essex County Clerk. Son of the late Raymond M. Durkin. Former Essex County Sheriff’s Detective /Director of Personnel for the County of Essex. 2010 Grand Marshal/Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Sister Mary Walter Dwyer. Sister of Charity and sister of late State Senator Tom Cowan of Hudson County. Principal of Columba School in Newark for 26 years. Now on staff at St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark.

Joseph V. Egan. Assemblyman (D-17). New Brunswick City Council President for nine years and serves as Business Manager for the I.B.E.W. Local 456. John J. Farmer Jr. Son of former Star-Ledger Editorial Page editor and columnist John Farmer, former NJ Attorney General, himself a columnist and Dean of Rutgers Law School. Traces his Irish roots to Counties Armagh, Kerry and Mayo. 2016 Newark Parade Grand Marshal.

Valerie E. Feeney. Member/Women of Irish Heritage. Former Chair of the NJ Irish Festival and former Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.

Jamie Fox. Well-known, highly regarded lobbyist. Former NJ State Transportation Commissioner, Chief of Staff to Governor Jim McGreevey and U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli. Stellar career/state and national politics.

Eamon de Valera. (1882 –1975). Dominant political figure in 20th century Ireland. Career spanned over half a century (1917 to 1973). Shown (circa 1959) with former US

Congressman Neil Gallagher whose term in office (1959-1973) coincided with deValera’s term as President of Ireland. He was spared the firing squad in 1916 because he was an American citizen (born in New York).

Cornelius (Neil) Gallagher. Congressman from Hudson County (1959-73). As a Captain in U.S. Army, commanded a World War II infantry rifle company in General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army.

Susan H. Gartland. Former Caldwell Councilwoman and Mayor. Former Deputy Grand Marshal of the Newark Irish Parade.

Noreen M. Giblin of the Giblin clan: Tom, Patrick, Ted and Anne. Served in the McGreevey Administration. Former State Director for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. 2006 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year. Seton Hall Law School grad now with the Gibbons law firm’s Government Affairs.

Thomas P. Giblin. Assemblyman. Union Man. Irishman, Good man. Former Essex County Freeholder Board President and Essex County Surrogate. Served as both Essex County and NJ State Democratic Chairman. He and his dad are the only father and son to serve as both Chairman and Grand Marshal of the Newark Irish Parade.

Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-34), Montclair.

Monsignor John J. Gilchrist. 59-year parish priest and Spiritual Director to Essex-West Hudson Labor Council and State AFL-CIO. Columnist for the Catholic Advocate. Celebrating his 81st birthday.

Brendan Gill. Vice-President /Essex County Freeholder Board. Member, Division # 9 AOH Montclair. 2014 Grand Marshal/ Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Accomplished campaign consultant who heads up the BGill Group.

Eileen P. Gilleece. NJ State Police Detective. Fellow with both JFK School of Government and United Nations Leadership School. Past President of Women of Irish Heritage (North). 2013 Newark Deputy Grand Marshal.

Don Gilmartin. Traces roots to County Roscommon. 2008 Newark Parade Grand Marshal. Founding member and Past President of the Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society

William L. Gormley. Notre Dame grad, Marine Corp captain, Freeholder,

Assemblyman (1977-1982), and State Senator who chaired the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee. His father was former Atlantic County Sheriff.

John F. X. Graham. Founder of Verona based Fairview Insurance. Successful insurance executive along with sons Michael and Ryan. Much sought after statewide fundraiser. Friend of U. S. Presidents and Secretaries of State.

Kimberly Ann McFadden Guadagno. (First) Lt. Governor of New Jersey, elected in 2009, re-elected 2013. Former Assistant United States Attorney. Elected 75th Sheriff of Monmouth County in 2007. Concurrently New Jersey’s Secretary of State.

Don Hannon. Owner and operator of family Carpet and Home Furnishing business based in Union, NJ since 1933. Former Newark Parade Grand Marshal and former Chairman of the NJ Irish Festival.

Joseph A. Hayden, Jr. Sought after Criminal Defense Attorney. Former Deputy State Attorney General, law secretary to the Chief Justice of the NJ Supreme Court. Served as member/Democratic National Convention's Rules Committee. Renowned for his high-profile criminal cases.

Jerramiah Healy. Former Jersey City Mayor and Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Committee. Renowned singer of Irish Ballads.

Elmer J. Herrmann, Jr. Long- time supporter/Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges. His mother, Theresa Elizabeth, was the niece of Charles P. Gillen, Newark’s only Irish born Mayor (Roscommon) and the Newark Parade’s first Grand Marshal (1936).

Pat Hobbs. Well-respected and popular former Dean of Seton Hall Law School. Currently serving as Athletic Director for Rutgers University.

Matthew Holleran. Young Irish American leader, related to the Durkin’s of Essex County and an executive with a Middlesex County security firm.

Brian Hughes. Son of the late Governor and Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Hughes. Currently serving his fourth term as Mercer County Executive. Stalwart in State Democratic ranks.

John Hughes. Also, son of the late Governor Richard Hughes. Retired from the Federal bench and is currently engaged in mediation work.

Kathleen Ginty Hyland. Former Mayor/Morris Township. Former Grand Marshal and ‘Unofficial’ outfitter (with Mary Agnes Parker) of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade. Owner of Ginty’s Irish Gifts in Morristown.

Stephen Kealy. Veteran labor leader and former Business Agent (retired) for flagship LIUNA Local 472 of Newark.

Sean T. Kean. NJ General Assembly/ (R-30) Monmouth County. Traces roots to County Cork, Ireland. 2011 Irishman of the Year/ Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh/ Jersey Shore. Sponsor of legislation celebrating Irish-American contributions to American society.

Mary Boyle Crerand Keaney. President/Women of Irish Heritage - Jersey Shore. Served as Treasurer and Trustee. Born in Newark, resident of Brick Township, traces her roots to County Mayo, Ireland. Served as Deputy Grand Marshal of the 2014 Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Fr. Mike E. Kelly. Popular Headmaster of Seton Hall Prep, oldest Catholic prep school in NJ. His Holiness Pope John Paul II named Fr. Kelly as a Prelate of Honor, with the title of Reverend Monsignor. In 1990 appointed liaison to the Irish Community in the Archdiocese of Newark.

James J. Kennedy. Assemblyman (D-22). Elected in 2015. Former Rahway Mayor, lobbyist. Principal, Skye Consulting, LLC.

John C. Kennedy. Judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Division. Former Corporation Counsel/Jersey City. Fellow: Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center in Washington, D.C.

Bernard F. Kenny. Former member of both the NJ General Assembly and NJ State Senate. Served with distinction as Senate Majority Leader. Held the rank of Lieutenant in U.S. Navy. Former Grand Marshal and Man of The Year for the Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Kenneth F. Kunzman. Partner/ Connell Foley law firm. President, St. Patrick’s Guard of Honor. Dedicated to providing scholarships for needy students for community service. US Air Force Captain (1962-1965) and 2010 Grand Marshal of the West Orange Parade.

Gerald P. Lenihan. Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (retired). Currently Director of Security at Seton Hall Law School. Former Grand Marshal and General Chairman of the Newark Parade and the NJ Irish Festival.

Jim Logue. President of the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Robert Lynch. Well-known proprietor of the Kilkenny Ale House on Central Avenue in Newark. Past recipient of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee’s Irish Heritage Award.

Barbara A. Lyons. Irish American Cultural Institute. Board of Directors/ Treasurer and Chair/Annual Washington St. Patrick’s Day Ball. 2014 Woman of the Year/ Giblin Association. Member/ Women of Irish Heritage. Newark Parade’s 2016 Deputy Grand Marshal.

Kelly Stewart Maer. With more than 20 years of legislative and lobbying experience, Kelly is currently with Duane Morris Government Strategies. She serves as Treasurer of the NJ Democratic State Committee.

Colleen M. Mahr. Popular Mayor of Fanwood Boro. Former President/New Jersey Conference of Mayors. Serves as Vice-Chair of the Union County

Democratic Committee. Director of Business Dev. for DMR Architects.

Kevin McCabe. Seasoned political veteran. Currently Middlesex County Democratic Party Chairman. Former Chairman /Woodbridge Dem Committee. Served as NJ Labor Commissioner.

Raymond McCarthy. Former Mayor of Bloomfield Township where he also served as Chairman of the Bloomfield Business Advisory Board and as a Trustee of the Township’s Board of Education.

John E. McCormac. In 2006, elected Mayor of Woodbridge, the oldest original township in the state of New Jersey. Former New Jersey State Treasurer.

Mary McCormick, BSN, MSN, NP-C, Seton Hall University grad. Summit Medical Group. Frequent Ireland traveler and outstanding golfer.

Frank McEnerney. Accountant and member of numerous Irish American organizations. Long time Parade official in West Orange. Former Irishman of the Year for the County of Essex.

Jack McGarry. Retired East Orange PD detective sergeant and acclaimed piper with the Essex County Emerald Society Police & Fire Pipe Band. 2006 Grand Marshal of the West Orange Parade.

Jennifer Nagle McGovern. Founder/Director of the award winning DeNogla-Ardmore Academy of Irish Dance started with her sister Alison in 1993. Five locations in Tri-State area. 2010 Newark Deputy Grand Marshal.

Sean McGovern. Former Roseland councilman. Newark based attorney and well-known proprietor of McGovern’s Tavern in Newark.

James E. McGreevey. Elected New Jersey Governor 2001. Former State Assemblyman and State Senator. Grand Marshal /Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade (2001). Currently, Executive Director/Employment & Training for

Jersey City. Lauded for pioneering prison reform efforts.

John E. McGuire, Jr.. Former member of NYPD and decorated veteran Detective/ Essex County Sheriff’s Department (retired). Degree in Criminal Justice. Medal of Merit among other numerous awards including a commendation from the NJ State Police. Giblin Association Treasurer.2004 Essex County Irishman of the Year.

Patti McGuire. Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jon Corzine, former aide to now U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. Now a successful lobbyist and officer of New Leaders Council of NJ.

John McKeon. Former Mayor of West Orange, attorney and member of the State Assembly where he chairs the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Long time organizer of the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Owen McNany, President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges, Inc.Jim McQueeney. Former White House Bureau Chief and Star-Ledger reporter. Served as Chief of Staff for U. S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. With roots in County Leitrim, he is now a successful public relations executive, political analyst and the host of New Jersey Now, on My9 (WWOR-TV).

Rosemarie L. Mellody. 2015 Grand Marshal/Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the first woman Grand Marshal in the parade’s 81-year history. A resident of Upper Montclair, she is a native of County Longford, Ireland.

Maggee Miggins. Successful Maplewood/Short Hills real-estate broker. Served as Deputy Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.. Sought after soloist in the church choir.

Maggie Moran. Managing Partner of Kivvit, a national Public Affairs firm. Former Deputy Chief of Staff/Governor Jon Corzine. Leader in state politics. Former State Director for both NJ Senators Corzine and Lautenberg.

Tom Moran. Veteran Editorial Page Editor/ Political Columnist for the Star-Ledger where, as he once told the NYT’s, he has “a front-row seat on the spectacle of New Jersey politics.”

Paul Moriarty. Fourth District Assemblyman and former Washington Township Mayor. Elected to the General Assembly in 2006, Paul is a former Emmy award winning investigative journalist.

William ‘Bill’ Mullen. Former president of Ironworkers Local 11, now President of the powerful NJ State Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. His advice is often sought by legislative leaders in Trenton.

Paul Mulshine. Well-respected professional journalist since 1975. Worked for the Philadelphia Daily News. Star-Ledger since 1995. Refers to himself as perhaps the sole remaining old-time conservative columnist at a major newspaper in America.

John J. Murphy. Partner/Morristown Financial Group. Five (3-year) terms/ Morris County Freeholder Board, two terms/ Morris Township Committee, and two years as Mayor of Morris Township. Awarded Fire Department's Medal of Honor for saving a child from a burning building in 2015.

Michael Murphy. Former Morris County prosecutor and gubernatorial candidate in the 1997 Democratic primary. Finished a strong third behind Jim McGreevey and Congressman Rob Andrews. Now a successful lobbyist and a member of the Waterfront Commission.

Philip D. Murphy. Ambassador to Germany (2009-2013). Former Goldman Sachs Exec and national finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee. Now heads up nonprofit advocacy org. New Start New Jersey. Considering a campaign for Governor.

Carolyn A. Murray. Acting Essex County Prosecutor. Former counsel to NJ Attorney General, graduate of Georgetown University (cum laude) and

NYU Law School. 2012 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year and 2013 honoree of the Friends of Brian Boru.

Bill O’Dea. Author of The Legacy of Haguesville. In 1985 was the youngest member ever elected to the Jersey City Council at age 26. Five term member of the Hudson County Freeholder Board.

Jason O’Donnell. Former member of the State Assembly (D-31). First elected in 2010. Former Public Safety Director and Bayonne Fire Captain.

Brendan (Dan) O’Flaherty. Economics Prof/Columbia University, Marathon runner, political strategist, author, Trustee/Newark Historical Society.

Declan O’Scanlon. Veteran Republican Assemblyman/ Monmouth County (R-13) known for advocating improvement for drivers who travel on the state's roads.

Kevin O’Toole. New Jersey State Senator (R-40). Former Essex County Republican Chairman. 2015 Essex County Irishman of the Year.

Sean Pender. National Director of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), State AOH President and former Grand Marshal of the Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Joan Quigley. Former State Assemblywoman from Jersey City. President and CEO/ North Hudson Community Action Corp. in Union City. Her column appears in the Jersey Journal every Tuesday.

Dermot Quinn. Professor of History at Seton Hall University and author of The Irish in New Jersey: Four Centuries of American Life.

Paul Reilly. Former Newark Deputy Mayor. Booster of the Essex-based Friends of Brian Boru. Master of Ceremonies for the Newark Parade.

Erin Rice. Former aide to U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, currently Coordinator of Community Relations/PAC at Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

Joseph “Joe” Roberts, Jr. Former Camden County Freeholder Director who went on to serve with distinction as Majority Leader and Speaker of the General Assembly.

Robert ‘Bob’ Ruane. Former member of both the Bloomfield Township Council and the NJ State Assembly. Long-time member of Ironworkers Local 11.

Kevin J. Ryan. Essex County Undersheriff, former State Assemblyman and Grand Marshal of the 2003 Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Jack Sayers. 2015 Grand Marshal of the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Lawyer, veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. and Business Manager for West Orange Township.

Marguerite “Peg” Schaffer. Chair of the Somerset County Democratic Committee, Partner at Shain, Schaffer and Rafanello, PC. Known for her sharp wit and brilliance in and out of court.

William “Bill” Scully. Legend in Irish circles for his quick wit, fine voice, classic moustache, short game in golf (he putts from sand traps) and as the long time proprietor and host of McGovern’s Tavern in Newark.

Chris Smith. 18-term U.S. Congressman (R-4 NJ). Senior member/Foreign Affairs Committee, chairman of its Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organization Subcommittee. Recipient/American Ireland Fund’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

Sister Frances Sullivan. Well respected Head of School for Mount St. Dominic’s Academy, Caldwell, NJ.

Michael Sweeney. President /Hudson County Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Was heralded for restoration of Bayview Cemetery gravesite of Thomas Clark Luby (1822-1901), Irish Revolutionary and founding member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Stephen Sweeney. President of the NJ State Senate. Represents the 3rd Legislative District since 2002. Former Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 399 and now General Organizer for the Intl Assoc. Ironworkers.

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Teevan. Giblin Association 2016 Woman of the Year. Newark native, attended St. Vincent's Academy. Honors grad NYC Latin American College of Languages & Business. Proprietor of The Full Shilling Irish Restaurant and Pub in NYC’s financial district. Grandparents hailed from County Donegal and County Kerry.

Virginia “Ginny” Treacy. Executive Director/Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization (JNESO). Respected leader with 35 years of service to labor causes (retired)). 2008 Deputy Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Ann Twomey. Distinguished President of Hospitable and Professional and Allied Employees (HPAE), a state nurse’s union dedicated to making health care institutions safer work places for nurses and health professionals. 2013 Labor Leader of The Year/New Jersey AFL-CIO.

Robert C. (Bobby) Williams. Trustee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick ofthe Oranges. Attorney in private practice. Life long West Orange resident.

Jim Whelan. Member of the NJ State Senate (D-2) and former Mayor of Atlantic City.

Daniel J. Zeisner. Director of Union Township Police. Grand Marshal of the 2009 Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Former Newark police officer.

In Memoriam

Brendan Tevlin (1995-2014). Seton Hall Prep grad and University of

Richmond freshman. Posthumously named 2015 Young Irishman by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges. This year’s 65th West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade is dedicated to Brendan.

Donations in his memory: Brendan P. Tevlin ’13 Memorial Field Fund c/o Seton Hall Prep. 120 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ. 07052

James P. Hamilton (1929-2015). Known as ‘The Skipper’. Born in Dublin, Ireland, veteran of the Royal Irish Regiment, All-Ireland Military Boxing Champion, member of the Steelworkers Union, father of six and beloved bartender at McGovern’s Tavern in Newark.

Executed Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, The seven signatories of the Proclamation for an Irish Republic: Eamonn Ceannt, Thomas James Clarke, Sean MacDiarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Patrick Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett and James Connolly.

Thomas P. J. Barrett and Halsey T. Burke at the Newark St. Patrick’s Parade 1958.

August 4, 2006. Castlerea, County Roscommon, Ireland. Planting of an oak tree in memory of the late John F. Cryan, formerly of Baslick. Shown at the ceremony (l-r): Tom Barrett, (honorary Irishman) Steve Adubato, Joe Cryan and Tom Giblin.