Chris and Julie Albin,Grand Marshals of the 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

For the first time in its history, the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be led by a mother and son, Julie Albin and Chris Albin, who will be the Grand Marshals of the Parade.

Chris Albin was born in 1967 to Robert and Julie Albin of Locust Valley, where he grew and attended school.

As Chris tells it, in 1978 his parents decided he needed to learn to play a musical instrument; Chris wanted to learn the trumpet, but they overruled him and arranged private drumming lessons.  He immediately fell in love with the drums and never looked back.

In 1979, at his mother’s request, Chris became a snare drummer in the Gordon Highlander’s Pipe Band of Locust Valley.  His father took him to practice each Tuesday and to all the performances.  This led to his father joining the band and, eventually, to his leading the band as Drum Major.  Chris had many memorable moments with the band, performing at the opening of the Hard Rock Café in New York City, multiple times at the Waldorf Astoria, at floating barge party in New York harbor during the Macy’s 4^th of July fireworks display, and yes, even making it to Carnegie Hall.  Chris says the best thing about his time with the Gordon Highlander’s was sharing the experience with his father.

During high school, Chris, following his mother’s example, began doing volunteer work at Glen Cove Hospital.  He was assigned to the Emergency Room and quickly fell in love with the work.  After watching the doctors and nurses work feverously at saying lives and helping people, Chris knew he wanted a career in medicine, specifically as an emergency room nurse.

Chris graduated from Locust Valley High School in 1985.  During that Summer, he was approached by a friend’s father who knew of Chris’ love for emergency medicine and suggested that he join the Locust Valley Fire Department, and become an Emergency Medical Technician.  Chris loved the idea, joined the department and began an EMT course.

Chris then enrolled at Nassau Community College and began taking nursing classes as well as his EMT class.  He became an EMT and loved everything about it, finding it an incredible feeling being able to help his friends, family and community when they needed help the most.  In 1986 Chris also joined the Glen Cove Volunteer EMS to get further experience.  He successfully took the 8-month class to become an Advanced Emergency Medical technician.  While Chris is no longer a member of the Locust Valley Fire Department or the Glen Cove Volunteer EMS, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Glen Cove Volunteer EMS.

In 1987, Chris graduated from Nassau Community College and became a Registered Nurse.  There was no doubt in my mind where he was going to be employed.  His dream job was to serve his community at Glen Cove Hospital.  He became an RN in the Intensive Care Unit.  He eventually worked in multiple units including 2 South, ICU, CCU, the Emergency Room and the Recovery room.  During his time at the hospital Chris had the pleasure of working with and learning from some great people, all while helping his community.

In 1994 Chris realized another dream, being sworn in as a Police Officer with the City of Glen Cove Police Department.  He worked as both a per diem as a nurse in the ER and a police officer for many years.  During his 23 years with the Glen Cove Police Department Chris has worked in many rolls such as patrol, DWI enforcement, motorcycle patrol, narcotics enforcement, and his current position in the detective division. Chris was promoted to detective on Saint Patrick’s Day in 2011.   He has received 49 commendations for excellent police duty, the Nassau County Police Chief’s Award for distinguished service, two citations from the American Legion for exceptional police action, and honored twice by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for his DWI enforcement.

In 2012 Chris joined the Nassau County Police Department Pipes and Drums as a snare drummer.  Being back in a pipe band rekindled his love of his Irish heritage.  In 2016 he was privileged to play with the band at the Centennial Celebration of the Easter Rising in Dublin.

Chris is also a member a member of several community organizations such as the Matinecock Rod & Gun Club, the Knights of Columbus James Norton Council, and the Matinecock Masonic Lodge 806.

Julie and Chris Albin, Grand Marshals of the 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

For the first time in its history, the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be led this year by a mother and son, Julie and Chris Albin.

Julie Albin was born in Glen Cove Hospital (when it was a small operation located somewhere in the area where Wendy’s is now).  She was the youngest of three girls and is a true “Valley Girl”, having always lived in Locust Valley.  She attended Glen Cove High School, since Locust Valley had no high school then.  After graduation came business school.  Julie’s father was one of the only two only Italian businessmen in Locust Valley.  Her mother owned and ran a gas station and grocery store.  As adults, my two sisters became businesswomen with their own businesses as well.

From high school, Julie went to Mrs. Skinner’s School for proper young ladies.  The school was located in the Garden City Hotel.  She was the only blue collar student among the socialites and debutantes

Upon graduation, Julie. I got my first job at Long Island Lighting Company as a draftsman.  In 1955 she married Bob Albin, a handsome sailor of Irish descent whose family were early settlers in America.  Julie left that job in 1958 to become her receptionist at her sister Terry’s very successful shop, “Tamar Hair Stylist”.  Her customers were doctor’s wives and society women, who sponsored Julie as a member of the Auxiliary in 1964.

In 1965, Terry helped Julie open “The Casual Nook”, a boutique attached to the shop.  When Chris was born in 1967, Chris, Julie’s mother helped her be mother, wife and business woman.  When Chris was 14 years old he followed in Julie’s footsteps and became a junior volunteer at the hospital.

Cancer took Bob in 1991.  Terry and Julie kept the shop until June 1996.  Julie then joined Friends of the Arts at Planting Fields, and immediately became the Playbill Advertising Manager and Head of Raffles.  She recruited some of my fellow LAOH ladies to volunteer.  They all had some wonderful times there.

When Friends of the Arts ended its 36 years of fun and glory in 2008, Julie turned her energy into the Hospital Auxiliary and eventually became Fund Raising Chairperson, a job she loves.  She feels she owes the hospital a great deal for what it has done for her and her family in some very difficult times. She is very grateful to the many doctors, nurses and staff who were there to encourage Chris.

Julie is also a Director at The Locust Valley Friends of the Library and a member of the Executive Committee of the Morgan Park Music Festival.  She is one of the original members of the LAOH and has watched it grow.  She is proud to be a member of the organization, honored to be this year’s co-Grand Marshall and thrilled to share this honor with her son, Chris.

Sophie McCabe, Aide to the Grand Marshal, 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Sophie McCabe was born in 1935 to Mary and John Schepanski, the sixth of eleven children.  Sophie graduated from Glen Cove High School in 1953 and went to work as a payroll assistant at Wah Chang, which later became Li Tungstun.

Sophie met the love her life, Jim McCabe in 1952, while in Junior High School.  They married in 1956.  Much of their time was spent raising their two sons, James and Matthew. The McCabe family now includes five Grandchildren and eight Great Grandchildren.

Sophie grew up a member of St. Hyacinth Parish.  She married Jim at St. Patrick and has been an active parishioner there ever since.   She was an original member of the First Saturday Group, helping host the Rosary, Mass and Continental Breakfasts.  Sophie is also a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Currently, Sophie is a member of the Legion of Mary, and the Columbiettes.   She is actively involved in the Senior Center and served lunches for many years.  She is a member of the Happy Hour Club as well as the Centre Club, assisting the hosting of trips and parties.  Sophie was a was Member of St. Hyacinths Unity Club, President of the Sea Cliff Homemakers and the Locust Valley Homemakers.

Sophie proudly s joined the then “Ladies Auxiliary” of the Hibernians in 1957 and was Madam President for 2 years.  She continues to assist both the AOH, the LAOH and the Parade Committee as a strong financial supporter.  She has a knack in always selling a great many raffle tickets to fund the Parade.

Several years ago, both she and Jim received the St. Agnes Medal from the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Sophie was named Aide to the Grand Marshal of the 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade in gratitude for her support of our church, the community and the Hibernians.

Fred Hill, Aide to the Grand Marshal, 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Fred Hill was born in Mineola and raised in Manhasset, where he attended St Mary school.  He is the oldest of five children, two boys and three girls. He served in the US Army in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division.  After the US Army Fred worked for the US Postal Service.  He later began to work in construction and started his own business.  Fred has owned Fred Hill Construction from 1977 until retirement.  He continues to use his skills working on his home on various projects.

Fred’s Grandparents on both sides were born in County Cork Ireland.  One grandfather was a captain in the FDNY.  The other was a NYC stablemaster at the Central Park stable which supplied horses for the police and fire departments.  His father was a general surgeon and his mother a Registered Nurse.

Fred married his loving wife Linda in the early 1970’s.  They had two sons together.  His eldest son, Dustin, was a NYPD officer who died in a car accident 2002.  His son, Eric, is an automotive technician at Ferrari/Maserati.  Linda, worked as a Registered Nurse until retirement.

Fred, Dustin and Eric all joined the AOH.  Fred was involved with the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day parade since its inception.  Since 2002 one of the most prominent contingents in the Parade has been one of friends who have joined the Hill Family walking and on motorcycles to honor Dustin.

In 1996 Fred made his Major Degree in the Order.  The Irish flag is at Dustin’s grave and is often displayed at the Hill home.  Their Irish heritage is important to the entire family.  The Hills went to Cork City in 1996 for a wedding of one of their cousins.  Fred, Linda and Eric will be visiting cousins in Ireland in near future.

Nearly three decades ago, I marched in the Second Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which took place on the bitterly cold Sunday afternoon of March 4, 1990, but the hearts of the marchers and spectators were warmed that day by the chance to honor a true American Irish hero, Police Officer Steven McDonald.

A resident of Malverne, Long Island, McDonald was permanently paralyzed as the result of a vicious shooting while questioning three thieves in Central Park.  His injuries left him confined to a wheelchair and constantly attached to a respirator in order to sustain his life.  At the time of the shooting, Steven’s wife, Patti was expecting their son, Conor, who is now a Detective with the NYPD.

The Honorary Grand Marshal that year was Irish republican activist and political prisoner Joe Doherty, who was in the middle of a nine yearlong battle to avoid deportation. Joe was strongly supported by Detective McDonald and many members and friends of the Irish American community. This writer has heard all manner of speeches and presentations on Irish issues on both sides of the Atlantic, but the most powerful and heartfelt I recall was a wonderful address given by Steven McDonald at a rally in support of Joe held at Foley Square in Manhattan.  Steven is a fixture to this day at many Irish American events and commemorations.

Remaining with the NYPD and eventually being promoted to the rank of Detective, McDonald has become a beloved icon, especially among his fellow Irish Catholic New Yorkers, because of his tireless preaching of the Christian message of peace and forgiveness, which he even extended to the assailant who so grievously wounded him.

Steven announced his forgiveness of his attacker at Conor’s Baptism.  As he explains: “I wanted to free myself of all the negative, destructive emotions that this act of violence awoke in me – the anger, the bitterness, the hatred. I needed to free myself of those so I could be free to love my wife and our child and those around us.”

When asked why he forgave, Steven  answers:  “I often tell people that the only thing worse than a bullet in my spine would have been to nurture revenge in my heart. Such an attitude would have extended my tragic injury into my soul, hurting my wife, son, and others even more. It is bad enough that the physical effects are permanent, but at least I can choose to prevent spiritual injury.

Another of our local heroes, the beloved Fr. Mychal Judge, the first recorded fatality at the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center, became Steven’s spiritual adviser and a fast friend of the McDonald family.  Steven and Mychal led three peace missions to Ireland to bolster the peace process in its early days and Steven continues to preach peace and reconciliation there and elsewhere.

Steven has been tireless in repeating his message of hope, especially at the hundreds of schools he has visited and to young police officers he meets with and encourages on a regular basis.

A few days before Christmas he held a televised meeting with officers at an NYPD station house and repeated his message of peace, reconciliation, and suicide prevention.  He mentioned that when he was hot thirty years early, doctors had not expected him to live more than a few years.

Conor stood by his side and echoed him, stating that hate would otherwise “have eaten him alive” and that he would have been long dead had that happened. Steven finished by stating, “We will give you everything. I hope I have demonstrated that.”

Before the same Christmas season had ended, Steven was felled by a massive coronary.  He died soon thereafter, on January 10, 2017.

The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade has named Julie Albin and Chris Albin as Grand Marshals of the 2017 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which takes place on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 1 pm.  They will be accompanied by Aides to the Grand Marshal Sophie McCabe and Fred Hill.  The Marshals and Aides will be installed at an Irish Hoolely to be held at St. Rocco Hall on February 18, 2017, 7 – 10 p.m.