Mike Moran — The Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day Parade

Joseph McDonald, 2013 Aide to the Grand Marshal

January 8, 2013 by Robert P. Lynch

2013 Aide to the Grand Marshal Joe McDonald

Life is full of chances and many times a chance meeting or event can be life changing.

That is what happened with 2013 Aide to the Grand Marshal Joe McDonald.

Back in 2002, a chance event allowed him to acquire the Mets Online Fan Forum, allowing him to break into the sports industry and as a byproduct, learn web designing and development. Two careers were spawned from that, as the former stockbroker became a professional sports writer and a web developer.

Then in 2007 a chance meeting with Glen Cove Hibernians led Joe to joining the Mike Moran Division eventually leading to an AOH tenure where he served as Division President, the first Online Editor of the Hibernian Digest, and in his current positions as National, New York State and Nassau County Webmaster.

Chance has always been part of Joe’s life. It started with his birth on March 28, 1970, he was put up for adoption at Our Lady of Victory Homes in Lackawanna, NY. Three months later, Joseph Benedict McDonald and Catherine Ann (nee Cleary) McDonald took a chance and adopted baby Eric, renamed him Joseph Gerard, and moved him to Bay Ridge Brooklyn.

Joe was raised in the Borough of Churches, graduating from Our Lady of Angels Grammar School in 1984, Xaverian High School in 1988 and then Fordham University four years later.

Joe took a chance in 2004, moving to Long Island from Brooklyn, looking for a change from city life.

Another chance was taken in 2010 when then National Editor Keith Carney in 2010 asked Joe to design the first Online Hibernian Digest in AOH history. Joe’s Division Presidency, from 2011 to 2012 saw not only the naming of the first-ever two National Life Members from Division 8, but also the naming of two Division members, he and John O’Connell, to the AOH National Board.

As National Webmaster, Joe built the first online national application, first online national division directory, the first national social media pages, and is overseeing the building of the new AOH member management system. He has also provided web design for a large number of other Irish organizations and businesses.

Being part of the AOH has allowed Joe to get in touch with his Irish roots. At the age of nine, he played his grandfather’s Irish button accordion and picked up that instrument again a few years ago. He has won prizes for his music at Feiseanna and also an award winning Irish soda bread, taking second place this past year at the Nassau County Feis.

The risk taking paid off for Joe, since he was able to build two businesses. As a sportswriter for the last nine years, Joe has worked for Fox Sports, ESPN, New York Sportscene, the Blueshirt Bulletin, Tennis Now Magazine, and his own company, Sportsday Publishing. He has, covered such high profile events as the MLB Playoffs, the World Series, the US Tennis Open, the US Golf Open, and the Stanley Cup.

Applying his web design expertise, Joe opened Damocles Designs Web Services and has a growing business in that industry.

The biggest chance effecting Joe’s life was taken by Elizabeth (Liz) Curtin, who married Joe and they have two children Joseph Patrick, age nine and four year-old Jamie Ann. They live in West Hempstead, NY – Liz’s hometown – and attend St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

2012 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Names Deputy Mayor Basdavanos Grand Marshal, Sioban Rack and John Hanley Aides

February 18, 2012 by Joe McDonald

Maureen Basdavanos
2012 Grand Marshal

Glen Cove, NY (January 25, 2012) – The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has named Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Maureen Basdavanos Grand Marshal of the 24^th annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Sioban Rack and John J. Hanley Aides.

The Parade will take place on Sunday March 18, 2012 using the same route, starting at the Finley Middle School on Forrest Avenue and weaving through the streets of the city, ending at St. Patrick’s Church.

Maureen Basdavanos is a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and also the daughter of AOH Division 8’s namesake Mike Moran.

“It is such an honor to be asked to lead this year’s parade as the Grand Marshall,” Basdavanos said. “There is no better St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Long Island thanks to the AOH Mike Moran Division 8. I only wish my dad were here to march beside me.”

Maureen Basdavanos (nee Moran) is the Deputy Mayor of Glen Cove, appointed in 2008 by Mayor Ralph Suozzi. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Glen Cove C.A.R.E.S. and a Board member for the Glen Cove Business Improvement District (BID), the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Sounds Committee, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and is a long-time supporter of the Glen Cove Animal Lover’s League. Basdavanos was an active member of the Glen Cove High School Booster Club volunteering with her husband Bill to photograph and report weekly on all JV and Varsity sports. She was also a long-time volunteer Cheerleading Coach for Glen Cove Jr. Football and Cheerleading and a Cub Scout leader. She is married to former Glen Cove fire chief Bill Basdavanos and has two grown children.

Sioban Rack (nee Lane) is Associate Director of Special Events of SCO Family or Services and the immediate past president of St. Dymphna Division 8 of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. With corporate contacts, volunteers and donors she has provided Christmas for hundreds of children and adolescents every year, arranged trips and special outings, and recently, working with the Garden of Dreams foundation, she has even enabled some of our children to perform at Radio City Music Hall. She is married to Jim Rack and has a 16 year-old son James.

An active attorney in the community, John Hanley ran for Glen Cove City Council a number of time, most recently last year. He is also the immediate past president of Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and also served as Vice President and Marshal. He currently serves on the Glen Cove High School Community Scholarship Committee and is Past President of the Catholic Accountant’s Guild of Rockville Centre. He is married to the former Teresa Esposito and has three daughters.

About the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee: Founded in 1989 by the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the parade is in its 24^th year, celebrating Irish culture on the North Shore. Over the years, the parade has had politicians, celebrities and Irish dignitaries serve as Grand Marshal. The committee comprises of members of the Mike Moran Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the St. Dymphna Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

About the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians: Now in its seventh decade, the Mike Moran Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians serves to promote Irish culture, history, music, traditions and charitable giving. Membership is open at all men age 16 and over, who are of Irish birth or heritage, and are practicing Catholics. For more information, please visit their website at www.glencoveirish.org or contact Division President Joe McDonald at 516-522-0741 or by email at joe@hiberniandigest.com.

About the St. Dymphna Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians: Founded in 2002, the St. Dymphna Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians serves to promote Irish culture, history, music, traditions and charitable giving. Membership is open to women age 16 and over, who are of Irish birth or heritage, and are practicing Catholics. For more information please contact them online at www.glencoveirish.org or contact Division President Lisa Forgione at 516-759-9481 or by email at lisaf22@optonline.net.

2011 Sash Presentation

February 27, 2011 by Joe McDonald

(Glen Cove, NY – February, 27, 2011) – The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee held its annual Sash Ceremony at Page One Restaurant today in Glen Cove.

Sashes were presented to Grand Marshal Andy Stafford, and Aides Jim Burke and Carol McTigue by Parade Chairman Robert Lynch.

“I am so proud to stand here today with these two great people,” said Stafford of his two Aides Burke and McTigue after he received his sash. “I have known both of them for so long and they are great people.”

The Sash Ceremony is the unofficial opening of the St. Patrick’s Day season in Glen Cove. On Saturday March 5 at 8 p.m., the St. Dymphna Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will be hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall in Glen Cove.

Then on March 13 at 11:30 a.m. The Parade Committee, along with Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Division 8 of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold its annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Church.

And finally the parade which will be held on Sunday, March 20^th at 1 p.m. through the streets of Glen Cove.

The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade forms behind the Finley Middle School, Forest Avenue.
The Parade moves from the designated formation areas around the Finley Middle School and into Forest Avenue south of Dosoris Lane.
It then follows Brewster Street to School Street.
From there it moves into Glen Street
It then follows Glen Street to the end of Parade Route at St. Patrick’s Church, which is located at the corner of Glen Street and Pearsall Avenue.

More details of all these events can be found by visiting the website www.glencoveirish.org.

About the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Founded in 1989 by the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the parade is in its 23^rd year, celebrating Irish culture on the North Shore. Over the years, the parade has had politicians, celebrities and Irish dignitaries serve as Grand Marshal. Today, it is put on by the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Committee, which comprises of members of the the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the St. Dymphna Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

About the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians: Now in its 60^th year, the Mike Moran Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians serves to promote Irish culture, history, music, traditions and charitable giving. Membership is open at all men age 16 and over, who are of Irish birth or heritage, and are practicing Catholics. For more information, please visit their website at www.glencoveirish.org or contact Division President Joe McDonald at 516-522-0741 or by email at joe@hiberniandigest.com.

Andy Stafford Named 2011 Grand Marshal

January 14, 2011 by Joe McDonald

2011 Grand Marshal Andrew Stafford

(Glen Cove, NY – January 14, 2011) The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has named Andrew Stafford Grand Marshal and James Burke and Carol McTigue Aides for its 23^rd annual march to take place on March 20, 2011.

Stafford, the former parade chairman and longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, was a unanimous choice by the committee.

“It’s an honor to be a picked as Grand Marshal,” Stafford said. “After running the parade for so long, it will be so nice to be Grand Marshal.”

Stafford, 48, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States and settled in on the North Shore in 1988. He has been a member of the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1996, serving as President, Vice President and Marshal during his tenure. He was chairman of the Parade Committee from 2001-2010. Andrew currently runs a landscaping business in Locust Valley and lives with his wife, Pauline, and daughters Aisling and Caoimhe in Locust Valley.

Burke, 70, is currently the New York State Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He has been a member of the Michael J. Hogan Division 15 in Massapequa, NY since 1986 and has served as President of the Division, Nassau County Board President, New York State District Director, New York State Organizer and New York State Treasurer before his current position. A U.S. Marine veteran, he served as Commandant of the Marine Corps League in Massapequa. He was an account executive for Noranpac for 20 years. He lives in Massapequa with his wife, Patricia, and has four grown children and nine grandchildren.

McTigue (nee Brink) is currently the New York State Secretary of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She joined the Catherine McCauley division of the LAOH in Lynbrook, NY in 1986 and has served as President of the Division, Nassau County President, Nassau County Feis Secretary, New York State Irish Historian, New York State Charities and Missions Chairperson and New York State Treasurer before her current position. Carol worked for 20 years as a student loan officer at Jamaica Saving Bank and taught religion at Our Lady of Peace parish in Lynbrook, currently running the RCIA program. For years she was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts, receiving the Silver Beaver Award from that organization. She lives in Lynbrook with her husband, Theodore, has six grown boys, has been a foster parent, and has two granddaughters.

About the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Founded in 1989 by the Mike Moran Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the parade is in its 23^rd year, celebrating Irish culture on the North Shore. Over the years, the parade has had politicians, celebrities and Irish dignitaries serve as Grand Marshal. It is currently put on as a joint effort of the Mike Moran Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the St. Dymphna Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Joseph McDonald, 2013 Aide to the Grand Marshal

2012 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Names Deputy Mayor Basdavanos Grand Marshal, Sioban Rack and John Hanley Aides

2011 Sash Presentation

Andy Stafford Named 2011 Grand Marshal

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