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.

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 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 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.

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.

Glen Cove, NY – The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee installed the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade at a ceremony which took place last week at St. Rocco Parish Hall.  The Grand Marshal is Locust Valley resident, Paul Long, well known on the North Shore as a community activist, a first responder in both Locust Valley and Glen Cove and a proponent of efforts to provide support services for serving soldiers and returning veterans.  Mr. Long will be accompanied by Aides to the Grand Marshal Regina McGannon Begley and her husband Peter Begley, both well known for their involvement in Irish social and cultural affairs in the metropolitan area.

The 28^th Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 1pm in downtown Glen Cove.  This dazzling event is the premier St. Patrick’s Day celebration on the North Shore of Long Island and it is the largest annual parade in the Glen Cove area.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades around the world this year are joining in the celebration of the Centennial of the Irish Revolution which began in Dublin on Easter Monday, 1916.

The backbone of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as always, will be its exciting mix of marching groups, including many bands of Irish pipers and other musicians.  Further color will be added to the festivities by vintage cars, costumed performers, face painters, fire and police units and much more.  The parade is a true community celebration of the coming of Spring with many of our area’s ethnic organizations, often in traditional costume, taking part.  Come, join the fun!

The Parade is supported by donations to a special Commemorative Journal honoring the Grand Marshal.  All proceeds beyond parade expenses are donated to charities chosen by the Grand Marshal.  To place an ad, or for more information about the parade, please visit www.glencoveirishparade.org or call Robert Lynch at 516-782-7494

Paul Long was born in 1964, in Duncormick, Co. Wexford the oldest of the seven children of Michael and Ann Long.  He attended school at the Ballymitty National School and went on to St. Peter’s College in Wexford Town.

After leaving school, Paul joined the Irish Reserve Defense Forces, was posted for six months in the Curragh military camp and served for a time near the border.

Following his military service, Paul spent a period of time working at his family’s supermarket as a butcher.  He decided, at the age of 20 to come to the United States.  As he tells the story, he wished to fulfill his lifelong dream of meeting John Wayne and Elvis Presley.  News traveled slowly in County Wexford back then, so Paul only discovered when he arrived in New York that the Duke and the King were no longer with us.

Another stroke of luck brought Paul to Long Island.  Upon his arrival in this country he couldn’t locate the friend of a friend he was supposed to meet in New York City, and instead called a Locust Valley number his aunt had slipped into his pocket.

Paul soon found employment working on the grounds at the Piping Rock Club.  More good luck followed as was joined here a year later by the beautiful Jacinta “Cindy” Long, also from Co. Wexford.

From 1985 to 1992, Paul worked for a local landscape contractor.  During this time, he became acquainted with the famous Nelson Doubleday, who in 1992 recruited him as the senior horticultural technician on his estate in Locust Valley.

Paul join AOH in the early 1990’s.  He ultimately became President and Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Paul was instrumental in transforming the Division from an obscure fraternal organization to a well-known organization heavily involved in a wide variety of community events and causes on the North Shore.

Paul also continued his studies, receiving a degree in ornamental horticulture at SUNY Farmingdale.  He is a member of the Long Island Rose Society, the American Rose Society and the Manhattan Rose Society.  In this field Paul has achieved the status of “Consulting Rosarian”.

Paul was profoundly moved by the events of September 11, 2001 and felt compelled to do everything he could to assist his country in the wake of that day’s attacks.  He started by travelling into Manhattan to provide what aid he could to the rescue and recovery workers who toiled there.

Inspired by the example of the first responders on 9/11, Paul became a member of the Locust Valley Fire Department.  He went on to become Second Lieutenant and, then, First Lieutenant and is now the Captain of a Hose Co. No. 1.  He has been elected a commissioner of the Locust Valley Fire District and is currently serving a five-year term in that position.

Paul went back to school yet again, becoming first an EMT, then an EMT CC (critical care), and ultimately becoming a paramedic in 2014.  He has served as volunteer paramedic with the Glen Cove EMS for the past 5 years.

Paul designed and constructed Glen Cove’s first 9/11 Memorial, incorporated into a rose garden he planted in Morgan Park.

One of Paul’s proudest accomplishments has been his work with Wounded Warriors.  He and two fellow Locust Valley firefighters began raising funds for wounded troops and they went on to become the highest fundraising department on Long Island.  Paul has made regular trips to Camp Lejeune and Ft. Bragg to distribute gifts bought with funds he raises to the troops and their families.  He also volunteers with Hope for the Warriors, among other things by picking up and driving wounded troops when they visit New York.

Two days after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Paul travelled as part of an American Red Cross medical team to Mississippi and Louisiana, spending three weeks assisting those worst affected by the storm.

Paul and Cindy have three children, Aaron, Tanya, James.  Aaron, 30, is a Firefighter with the FDNY, Engine 301, based in Hollis, Queens.  Tanya, 25, is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the arts at Cranbrook, in Michigan.  James, 13, is in the Seventh Grade at Locust Valley Middle School, and plans to become a professional hockey player.

Born in the Bronx on September 19th, 1956 Regina is the second child of Patrick & Mary (Crotty) McGannon.  Both of her parents were born in County Clare, Ireland.  Regina has an older brother, Pat and a younger sister, Mary.  The McGannon’s moved from the Bronx to Washington Heights in 1964.  Regina graduated from St. Elizabeth’s grammar school in 1970 and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary where she was a member of the Junior Varsity basketball team in her freshman and sophomore years.  She graduated from SHM in 1974 and from Manhattan College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing.  While at Manhattan, Regina served as an officer on the Commuter Student Council, was a member of the Gaelic Society and was a member of the first women’s basketball team at Manhattan.  Regina and her fellow Lady Jaspers were honored by the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 for their contributions to women’s sports at Manhattan.

Regina joined the LAOH in 1996 as a member of Division 17, Long Beach.  Within 3 years, she was elected Treasurer and has held an office on Division 17’s executive board for 14 of the last 16 years, including several terms as Division President.

Regina was elected to the Nassau County Board in 2003, serving since in several positions, and is currently the County Board President.  She has been a dedicated volunteer for the annual AOH Nassau County Feis and Festival since 2002 and took on the arduous task of Dance Chairperson in 2007; a position she still holds.

In 2006, Regina was named Division 17’s Woman of the Year and served as Aide to the Grand Marshal in the Long Beach Irish Day Parade.  In 2009, Regina was named LAOH Nassau County Woman of the Year and in January 2015 she was honored at the AOH Nassau County Ball as the 2014 Feis Worker of the Year.

In 2013, Regina was elected to the LAOH New York State Board and is presently serving as the LAOH NYS Irish Historian.  In 2015, Regina served as the Local Co-Chair for the 2015 AOH/LAOH NYS Convention.

Not only is Regina an Aide to our Grand Marshal Paul Long, she has also received the high honor this year of being appointed as Senator George J. Mitchell, Grand Marshal of this year’s historic 2016 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Regina has been employed by New York Life Insurance Company for the past 37 years and currently holds the position of Corporate Vice President in the Insurance Technology Department.  Regina is an active member of the company’s Volunteers for Life program working to improve the quality of life for others through service to the communities surrounding New York Life’s Home Office in Manhattan and the New York Life Westchester campus where she works.  She has participated in the Back to School program, the annual food drive, the winter coat drive and the Christmas Gift Giving program.

Regina is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Island Park and for several years has lent her support and time at the Parish’s annual San Gennaro Feast.

Regina has been married to her husband Peter K. Begley for 16 years.  They have no children of their own but are the proud aunt and uncle to eleven wonderful, successful and talented nieces and nephews; two grand nieces and one grand nephew.

Born in Manhattan on May 13, 1955, Peter is the first born child of Gerald and Phyllis (Short) Begley (of Springfield, Mass.)  Along with his younger sister Jerilyn, Peter is second generation Irish-American.  The Begleys moved from Kew Gardens Hills in Queens to Point Lookout in 1966, and settled in Island Park in 1967.  Peter graduated from the Island Park School District in 1970 and graduated from West Hempstead High School in 1974.  He attended the State University of New York at Morrisville A&T College and SUNY Farmingdale Agricultural and Technical College for Electrical Engineering Technology.

Peter has been employed in the defense electronics industry on Long Island by such companies as Sedco Systems, Aeroflex Laboratories, and Sperry/Unisys, holding positions ranging from Test Technician to Test Engineer.  He has had a private computer consulting business since 1988.

In 1990 Peter joined the Island Park Volunteer Fire Department, rising through the ranks to Captain of the Original Engine Company No. 1, and becoming a “Life-Member” in May, 2015, and is still an active member today.  He also joined the Nassau County Firefighters Emerald Society that same year, and is currently that group’s Vice-President.

Peter became a member of AOH Division 17, Long Beach NY in 1990.  He is currently the Vice President of the AOH Nassau County Board, where he has also served as Sentinel, Marshal, Standing Committee Chairman and Recording Secretary.  He can be found lending a helping hand at many Hibernian events such as the Annual Picnic, the Semi- Annual Drawings, the Nassau County Feis, Stand Up for Life, and the San Gennaro Feast in Island Park.  He has been a member of the Long Beach Irish Heritage Day Parade and Festival committee since it’s start in 1991.

Peter would like to thank the Parade Committee for the honor to serve as an Aide to Grand Marshal (and Good Friend/Brother Hibernian) Paul Long in the 2016 Glen Cove Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.