Andy Stafford Named Grand Marshal in 23rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

(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.

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.

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.

Brother Joe McDonald Gets Major Degree

ISLAND PARK, NY – Division 8 would like to congratulate Joe McDonald for receiving his Major Degree on Sunday, April 19^th.

“It’s an honor,” said McDonald, who joined the AOH back in 2007 and served as Recording Secretary in 2008. “Going through this process allows me to understand what it is to be a brother in the AOH.”

Over 50 candidates went through the process, at Sacred Heart Parish in Island Park, NY which was attended by brothers from all the divisions in Nassau County.

Division 8 was represented by County President John O’Connell, Division President John Hanley, Immediate Past President and Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2009 Grand Marshal Robert Lynch, Standing Committee Chair Patrick Furlong, and Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2009 Aide to the Grand Marshal Barney Lough.

2009 NYC Parade

NEW YORK – With the weather in the mid-50s, and not a cloud in the sky, the 2009 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was going to be a success for Division 8.

But this year was even more special, because one of our own, past Division 8 President and current Nassau County President John O’Connell, was named an Aide to the Grand Marshal.

“What a wonderful day! Glorious!” O’Connell said. “This was one of the happiest days in my life to serve as an Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”

Backed by seven members of the men’s division and 15 of the ladies, Division 8 marched under its own flag for the first time in three years.

As the division proceeded up 5^th Avenue, crowds of three to four deep lined the streets cheered on the brothers and sisters. And the special moment came when they arrived at 63^rd Street to see O’Connell standing in front of Central Park. “One of the best moments.” O’Connell said, “was to cheer my Division 8 men on as they passed the reviewing stand.”

After the two mile walk, the division went to a local restaurant on the Upper East Side and enjoyed some well deserved refreshments.

But for the Division 8′s man of the hour, the day was just starting.

“The Cardinal’s Mass in the morning,” O’Connell said, “the happy Irish faces along the route, the grace of the Grand Marshal, seeing my loved ones in the stands, the weather, it was all so great, I will remember this day for all my life.”

All members of Division 8 are welcome to march in the parade every year. If you are Irish, Catholic and interested in joining, please follow this link for more information.

Division 8 Marches In NYC Parade

NEW YORK – With the weather in the mid-50s, and not a cloud in the sky, the 2009 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was going to be a success for Division 8.

But this year was even more special, because one of our own, past Division 8 President and current Nassau County President John O’Connell, was named an Aide to the Grand Marshal.

“What a wonderful day! Glorious!” O’Connell said. “This was one of the happiest days in my life to serve as an Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”

Backed by seven members of the men’s division and 15 of the ladies, Division 8 marched under its own flag for the first time in three years.

As the division proceeded up 5^th Avenue, crowds of three to four deep lined the streets cheered on the brothers and sisters. And the special moment came when they arrived at 63^rd Street to see O’Connell standing in front of Central Park. “One of the best moments.” O’Connell said, “was to cheer my Division 8 men on as they passed the reviewing stand.”

After the two mile walk, the division went to a local restaurant on the Upper East Side and enjoyed some well deserved refreshments.

But for the Division 8′s man of the hour, the day was just starting.

“The Cardinal’s Mass in the morning,” O’Connell said, “the happy Irish faces along the route, the grace of the Grand Marshal, seeing my loved ones in the stands, the weather, it was all so great, I will remember this day for all my life.”

All members of Division 8 are welcome to march in the parade every year. If you are Irish, Catholic and interested in joining, please follow this link for more information.