The Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day Parade

Celebrating Irish Culture on the North Shore

John O’Connell, Grand Marshal, 2014

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John O'Connell Photo

2014 Grand Marshal John O’Connell

​The date on John’s AOH travel card says he’s been a Major Degree Hibernian since 1997, and it wasn’t long after that that he started serving in leadership roles, starting at the Division level, and then the county, state and now on the Order’s National Board.

He was elected to Division President for three terms, 2004-06;

He was elected Nassau County recording secretary on the county board for a two-year term while still division president, 2005-2007;

He was elected to a two-year term as Nassau County President of the County Board in 2007;

He was named Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2009;

He was appointed state Publicity Chairman by State President Chip McLean in 2009;

John was elected New York State District 6 Director in 2011 to 13;

He was re-appointed state Publicity Chairman by State President Jim Burke in 2013;

And in 2011 he was asked by National President Seamus Boyle to serve as the National Editor of the Hibernian Digest, the newspaper that goes to all AOH and subscribing LAOH members all over the country. He was asked to continue in that position by National President Brendan Moore.

John was named Division 8 Hibernian of the Year in 2011  and Nassau County Hibernian of the Year in 2012.

Besides his Hibernian activities, John has served as Treasurer, Vice President and three terms as President of the Press Club of Long Island, the local chapter of the national Society of Professional Journalists.

John has just celebrated his 20th anniversary as a community journalist, his second career, following 20 years in human resources.

John is a graduate in English of Cathedral College, Douglaston, and studied in an Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama Program in Ireland’s Trinity College and University College Dublin.

Ann Kelly, 2014 Aide to the Grand Marshal

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Ann KellyAnn Margaret Kelly is a 3rd generation Irish lass born and raised in Bellerose, New York to Thomas Kelly and Catherine Lydon Kelly, who were the proud parents of 9 children:  Mark, Tommy, Joanie, Cathy, Kevin,  Ann, Timothy, Maureen and Michael.  She is proud to have 23 nieces and nephews and 6 great nieces and nephews.  Ann’s proudest accomplishment is raising her beautiful daughter, Katelyn, who works as an Oncology Nurse @ Weil Cornell Medical Center.

Her paternal grandparents, John and Winifred Kelly arrived in New York from County Galway, settled in St. Anthony’s parish in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and had 5 children.  Ann’s Mom, Catherine Lydon Kelly and her brother John were children of John and Bridget Lydon of Tourmakeady, County Mayo.  They settled in St. Cecelia’s parish in Greenpoint.  Bridget’s husband died when Catherine was 3;  Bridgie aka “Nana” raised her two children as a single mother and gave many of the Lydon Clan “a start” in NY.

Ann went to St. Gregory the Great School, followed by Bishop Reilly High School and obtained her BSN from Hunter College.  During her Nursing career, while living in Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan, she worked at Mother Cabrini, Bellevue Emergency ICU, NYU, St. Vincent’s CCU, and Beth Israel Heart Failure Clinic.  From there she began her work in Clinical Research and Drug Development for Squibb, now, Bristol Myers-Squibb.  She is happy to work toward a cure for many diseases, monitoring drug protocols prior to FDA approval.

She has been a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish since she moved from Manhattan to Glen Cove in 1996.  Ann is ready and willing to volunteer with church and community projects including a few events at St. Christopher SCO; Annual Golf Outing, Fashion Show and the Shepherds Ball.

Ann is proud to participate with the Ladies AOH, a passionate group of women that come together to raise money for worthy causes and do charitable work in the community.  Ann is one of the founding members of the LAOH Division 8 of Glen Cove.  She has held the office of Financial Secretary for several terms.  She has had the privilege to serve as the Chairperson for the St. Patrick’s Dance, their biggest fund raiser.  A few of the LAOH charities include all the local Catholic parishes, Wounded Warriors, DSAF, AHRC, Momma’s House, Diabetes Research Institute, SCO, LAOH Scholarship Fund and Jr Girls Softball.

Ann is honored to be chosen as Aide to the Grand Marshal, for the 26th Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade and has the privilege to walk beside Grand Marshall John O’Connell, and Co-Aides Ryan Doherty, Mary Jo-Walsh, and Mike Byrne.

Mary Jo Walsh, 2014 Aide to the Grand Marshal

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Mary Jo WalshMary Jo Walsh is the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Hyland) Walsh born in Brooklyn, New York with two siblings.  Mary Jo was raised in the parish of St. Teresa of Avila attending their Grammar School, graduating from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School and St. John’s University.

Mary Jo briefly taught high school English and business preparation at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn.  She later retired from a 30-year career in the quality of care division of Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York.

Mary Jo is an active parishioner of St. Bernard’s Church in Levittown.

Mary Jo is a member of the LAOH Levittown/Wantagh Division7 and has served in all the Chairs and is currently the President.  She is Past President of Nassau County LAOH and is currently its Treasurer.  She has also been an appointed auditor for NYS LAOH and serves on the Nassau County AOH Feis Committee.  She was honored as Nassau County LAOH Woman of the Year in 2007.

Aside from the LAOH, Mary Jo was one of the founding members of the Divorced and Separated Catholic Organization, currently serves on their executive board and  is a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Manchester Vermont.

Mary Jo’s greatest joy is her family:  son, Christopher, daughter-in-law, Melece and two fabulous grandsons, Liam and Aidan.

Michael Byrne, 2014 Aide to the Grand Marshal

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Michael ByrneMichael Byrne was born in County Roscommon, Ireland on August 18, 1962 to Patricia and James Byrne.  He has three brothers and three sisters.  He graduated high school from Christian Brothers School Roscommon in 1980.  He went on to college in Athlone and Carlow, where he graduated as a fitter welder after four years.

Michael immigrated to the United States in 1986, where he met his future wife, Rosemarie Horohoe, fell in love, and got married in September of 1988.  They are the proud parents of four children, Fiona, Michelle, Conor, and Declan.

Mike has always promoted Irish heritage and culture.  He joined the AOH Padraic Pearse Division 3 in 1989.  He came up through the ranks within his division,  serving as Marshal for two years, Treasurer for four years, and President for two years.  He has been the St Patrick’s Day Dance Chairman for the past eight years.

Michael has been an active member of the AOH Nassau County Board, serving as County Board President for four years.   He has been actively involved with the Nassau County Feis for several years.  He is currently taking on the responsibility of Feis Chairman.

Michael also is a Director on the Hibernian Charities National Board.

Michael is a founding member of the Long Island Gaels Gaelic Football Club.  The club was organized in 2000.  He was the first President of the minor board, which was organized in 2004.  Michael has been Club Treasurer for both the minor board and senior board for the past ten years.  He has also held the position of Dance Chairman since 2002.

Michael has been an active member of the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens since 1987.  As a home improvement contractor, he has played an active role in the renovations to the center in Mineola, Long Island.

Michael has proudly marched in the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade for 22 years with the AOH in different capacities, from Division Marshal to County Board President, and he was chosen as Aide to the Grand Marshal, Ray Kelly, in 2010.

Mike finds it a great honor to have been chosen as an aide to Grand Marshal of the Glen Cove Parade, John O’Connell.  He would like to thank all who have bestowed this honor on him and to congratulate his fellow Aides to the Grand Marshal.

Newsday: 2013 Glen Cove Parade Honors Danny Lane, 89, Nicholas Pedone, 7

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Newsday, Sunday March 17, 2013 6:46 PM      By Frank Posillico

Glen Cove parade Grand Marshal Daniel J. Lane,

Photo credit: Frank Posillico Glen Cove parade Grand Marshal Daniel J. Lane, right, is joined by Grand Marshal Aide Lisa Forgione, left. Lane is being honored after a lifetime of work as an Irish activist. (March 17, 2013)

A parade procession and about 80 years were all that separated the grand marshal and honorary grand marshal at the 25th annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday.Grand Marshal Daniel J. Lane, 89, a lifelong advocate for Irish culture and awareness, led the parade, and Honorary Grand Marshal Nicholas Pedone, 7, who was diagnosed with cancer last fall, sat in the fire truck that brought up the rear.

Parade organizers said both marshals show what it means to have a fighting Irish spirit.

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“This community seems to amaze me every day,” said Josephine Pedone, Nicholas’ mother, adding that Nicholas is still in and out of hospitals for treatment. “We just roll with the punches and Nicholas’ smile on his face as he goes through this torturous journey in his life.”

Josephine Pedone, of Glen Cove, was surprised and happy to have her son, who is fighting neuroblastoma, a malignant tumor that forms in nerve tissue, serve as the honorary grand marshal in the parade because she hopes he brings more awareness of his disease. The Glen Cove Fire Department picked up Nicholas and his father toward the end of the parade route, and they rode in the fire truck for the remainder of the parade.

Joe McDonald, an aide to the grand marshal, said that naming Lane grand marshal was an honor long overdue. He has been a resident of the Glen Cove community for most of his life, has served on multiple town boards and committees and has always been active in his Irish culture. He was one of the first members of the Inis Fada Pipers’ Band.

He hails from Ballydesmond in County Cork, Ireland.

“We never have a shortage of someone to honor,” Joe McDonald, an aide to the grand marshal, said. “It’s a celebration of our Irish culture.”

McDonald, who has been working with the parade for the past seven years, said he feels honored to march alongside a man like Lane.

“It’s a thrill to walk down the street and hear the cheers of your friends and neighbors all celebrating your heritage,” Lane said. “It’s a celebration of Glen Cove. It’s a celebration of heritage and culture.”

Past Grand Marshals

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Past Grand Marshalls, Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade

It is our custom each year to honor a person as “Grand Marshal” of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and one or more additional individuals as “Aides to the Grand Marshal:

1989 	 John F. Sweeney               Postmaster, City of Glen Cove
1990 	 P.O. Stephen McDonald         Hero Police Officer
1991 	 Hon. Denis Dillon             District Attorney, Nassau Co.
1992 	 Sr. Janet A. Fitzgerald       President, Molloy College
1993 	 Joseph V. Buckley             Restaurateur
1994 	 Rep. Peter King               Congressional Representative
1995 	 Jack Ryan                     President, SEIU Local 74
1996 	 William V. Whelan             President, Emerald Society, FDNY
1997 	 Brian Fitzpatrick             Councilman, City of Glen Cove
1998 	 Michael McCormick             National Historian, AOH
1999 	 Jack Irwin                    Governor’s Assistant for Irish Affairs
2000 	 Hon. Thomas R. Suozzi         Mayor, City of Glen Cove; Nassau County Executive
2001 	 Patrick J. Lynch              President, NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
2002 	 Mary Gilroy-Doohan, M.D.      Director, Emergency Services NSUH Glen Cove
2003 	 Tony Jackson                  Irish radio personality WRHU-FM Radio, Hofstra Univesity
2004 	 Mary Ann Holzkamp             Mayor, City of Glen Cove
2005 	 James McCabe                  Hibernian Activist
2006 	 The "Fighting 69th"
2007 	 Jack McDougal                 Police Sergeant
2008     John W.C. Canning             Attorney and Public Servant
2009     Robert P. Lynch               Attorney and Teacher
2010     Thomas J. Lilly               Attorney and Pro-Life Activist
2011     Andrew Stafford               Former Parade Chairman
2012     Maureen Basdavanos            Glen Cove Deputy Mayor
2013     Daniel J. Lane                Irish Activist

2013 Grand Marshal Daniel J. Lane

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Danny Lane 2013 Grand Marshal

Danny Lane 2013 Grand Marshal

Back in the forties and early fifties, if you lived in the Irish Metropolis, the myth prevailed that if you weren’t a Dubliner, then you just had to be a “Corkonian”!  The reason for this was that one of our early Prime Ministers – Willie Cosgrove – happened to be a Corkman, and his county and political patronage was more than evident.  But despite this advantage, and to our own good fortune, our Parade Grand Marshal Danny Lane chose to emigrate in 1949.

Daniel J. Lane was born in Ballydesmond, County Cork, the second youngest of a family of six, four brothers and one sister.  Arriving in the United States in 1949 he settled down in Manhasset.  In 1952 he married Sally Daly, a County Tyrone colleen.  Together they raised four children: Dennis, Patricia, Sioban and Danny Joe.  He is a very proud grandfather of six:  Roxanne, Anthony, Stephen, Kevin, James and Caitlin.

County Cork is steeped in a tradition of great hurlers and footballers, but above all, it is known as the county of great national heroes and freedom fighters, who much eulogized in song and prose:  men like O’Donovan Rossa, Terence McSweeney, Thomas McCurtain and many more.  These patriots were all idols of Danny’s.  He was imbued with their spirit of patriotism.  This was coupled with the fact that his late wife Sally came from one of the partitioned counties of Ireland.  As a result, whenever and wherever Ireland’s cause has needed a helping hand no one has come forward more quickly, more generously or with better heart than Danny Lane.

He served as Chairman for “Full Freedom for Ireland Committee in 1959 and 1960, he has been actively involved with Irish Northern Aid since 1969 and he has been a member of the American Irish Congress.

In 1960 Danny  was elected President of Local 447 of the Utility Workers Union and remained President until June 1979 when he resigned to take up a managerial position with Citizens Water Company.  He also served on the Board of Directors of Eastern Water Works for a three year term, serving New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Our Grand Marshal is an active member of the Irish American Society which is where many have come to know and love the true Danny.  When the Society purchased its present Center building and needed help with renovations, Danny Lane gave unselfishly of his time and talent.  He served on the Board of Directors for two terms.  Anyone familiar with his service there would venture to say that if Danny were asked what his greatest pride in the Society was, he would say, “Oh, that we have the great Inis Fada Pipers’ Band” – which he joined in 1958 and performed with until 1983.  His moments of triumph and joy were when he played and competed all over the United States with the band and the many trophies and championships they won over the years he was involved.

On March 17th 2013, while Danny leads the Hibernians and marchers in the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade we know that his heart will be overflowing with pride and joy for all the Hibernians who have honored him this day, and we know that, deep in his heart, his thoughts and memories will dwell, as always, on his homeland.  There will be a yearning, a hope and a dream that someday in the not too distant future, he can lead a parade through the streets of Derry, Belfast, Newry or Armagh and that the pipers will be playing “A Nation Once Again”.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat Domnaill – May the Road Rise to Meet You, Danny!

Lisa Bartley Forgione, 2013 Aide to the Grand Marshal

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2013 Aide to the Grand Mashal - Lisa Forgione

2013 Aide to the Grand Mashal – Lisa Forgione

Lisa Bartley Forgione is one the 4th generation of Bartley’s born and raised in Glen Cove to Lewis (Buzzy) Bartley and Rosemary (Reilly).  Elizabeth Mary (Lisa) is joined by her sisters, Rosemary Helena and Catherine Patricia (Cappa).

Lisa’s maternal grandfather, Thomas Reilly arrived in New York from County Cavan and was the greatest gardener ever.  He was known for his stories of “horses so big you could walk under them” home in Ireland.  Paternal grandmother Mary McGinn Bartley came from County Sligo – with a never ending brogue and her little Irish quotes that she kept in her heart.

Lisa is a past CPR Instructor, Brownie, Girl Scout, Girl Scout Leader, PTA and SEPTA member in North Shore School District, was President of the All Saints Home School Association, worked her way up to President of LAOH Division 8 – followed her Grandmother Betty Delaney Reilly’s footsteps as she too was President of Division 8…way back when – Glen Cove Parade committee member, and the Publicity Chair for Nassau County LAOH.

While Lisa was President, Division 8 installed 20 new members, helped organize three very successful St. Patrick’s Day dances, hosted St. Brigid’s Day celebrations and a Major Degree Ceremony for the County LAOH.  She led the Division in its celebration of their tenth anniversary.  They participated in the New York State Convention, organized the refreshments for the Blessing of the Creche at Village Square, are sponsors St Boniface’s Feast on The Beach.

Lisa proudly led the Ladies of the St. Dymphna, Division 8 as they exemplified their Motto of “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity” by their participation, love and care for others.  Under Lisa’s leadership they have adopted twin boys for the holidays, donated gift cards to Long Beach families hit hard by Super Storm Sandy, filled the shelves of St Patrick’s Food Pantry and volunteered to help wherever there was a need.

Lisa worked for SCO Family of Services Development office for nine years, organizing volunteers, events, Thanksgiving dinners, holiday visits, picnics and parties for the children who reside at the Robert J. McMahon home for Children in Sea Cliff.  Currently she is at the front desk at the Madonna Heights facility for troubled teen girls, where she has reached out to hug many of them.

Lisa was married for 30 years to Jimmy Forgione who passed away on March 15, 2009.  Together they have three children Darla, Joseph and Lewanna, and two grandsons, Robert and Vincent James.  The family recently celebrated the marriage of Darla to Robert Rivera.  Jimmy is always by their side to help them continue to breathe and take one day at a time…..

Lisa is “thrilled and honored to be chosen as an Aide for the 25th Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade and has the privilege to walk beside Grand Marshall Danny Lane – Co-Aides Pam and Bob Panzenbeck, and Joe McDonald.”

“St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” By Adrienne Cook

St. Patrick, St Brigid and St Dymphna, Pray for Us

 

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