Brother Jim McCabe Awarded National Lifetime Membership

Division 8 is proud to congratulate Brother Jim McCabe, who was granted National Lifetime Membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

A member of the division since 1953, Jim has served as President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and Marshal.

He was born in Glen Cove on July 9, 1933 to Peter McCabe from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan and Mary Ellen McCabe (nee Moran) from New York City.  The oldest of six children, James graduated from St. Patrick’s School in Glen Cove. And then attended St. Michael’s High School in Conesus, NY, a prep school for the missionary Brothers of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) for three and a half years.  Deciding that the religious life was not his vocation, he transferred to Glen Cove High School and graduated in 1951.

James then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April, 1952.  He was assigned to the USS Missouri right of boot camp and after a shakedown cruise that ship was off for Korea.  He was on board that ship for three years and helped put the ship in “mothballs” the first time.  He then spent a year aboard a submarine tender based in San Diego, CA.

After the service, James returned to Glen Cove, where he married Sophie Shepanski and together they raised two sons, James and Matthew.  They are now the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.

One of his proudest moments as an Hibernian was assisting in the response to Cardinal O’Connor’s request that the Order fill St. Patrick’s Cathedral when protestors threatened to desecrate it. And in 2005 the Division awarded him with its highest honor, naming him Grand Marshal of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Jim helped keep the Irish tradition alive by joining the Thomondgate Dancers who performed at schools, nursing homes and feisanna and at public events such as the Tercentennial celebration in downtown New York City.

2010 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Goes Off Without a Hitch

Beautiful weather was the name of the game this year at the 2010 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Warm temperatures made it very easy for the marchers and the spectators as they say AOH Members Tom Lilly and Gerry Herbert lead the celebration as Grand Marshal and Aide, respectively.

Afterwards, Division 8 celebrated at Page One restaurant where Lilly and Herbert received citations from Mayor Ralph Suozzi.

This parade also marks the last one for Chairman Andy Stafford, who will be stepping down from the position after 10 years. Because of that, Stafford also received a citation from the Mayor.

Photos by Robert Lynch.

See more photos of the parade at the Nassau County AOH website.

2010 Grand Marshal Tom Lilly

Thomas J. Lilly, Grand Marshal of the 2010 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is a native of the Flatlands area of Brooklyn, the youngest of three children born to Frank Lilly and Mary Ellen Kelly of Mary Queen of Heaven parish.  He attended Most Holy Trinity High School in Brooklyn.  Tom then spent three years at Maryknoll College and later graduated with a B.A. degree from St. John’s University.

After four years in the Navy, mostly aboard the aircraft carrier Coral Sea in the Near East, Mediterranean and Caribbean he resumed his educational career, earning a J.D. Degree at night from Fordham Law School, becoming a member of the Bar in 1961.  Later, also at night, he received an LLM at N.Y.U. Law School.

Tom was appointed an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.  He went on to start his own practice and is very sell known in the area of labor relations and employment law.  He has taught in that field as a professor at the Xavier Institute, C.W. Post, and at Cornell School of Industrial-Labor Relations.

A bright thread running through the tapestry of Tom’s life is his resolve to put into practice Christ’s teaching of service to our brothers and sisters, especially to the “least among us”.  This dedication led him to devote his legal career to the protection of the rights of working people to organize to defend themselves and promote their interests.  It led him to unswerving advocacy on behalf of the unborn and their mothers and his position as a board member of Momma’s House.  That dedication is also the impetus for his tireless efforts in support of our neighbors who need assistance in hard times.  Tom has had a lifelong devotion to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, emulating his father as a longtime member.  He has served as President of the Nassau-Suffolk Central Board and is currently President of the St. Boniface Conference of that Society.

The principle of service to community also led Tom to political involvement as the local Democratic leader in Sea Cliff.  In the 1980’s he spearheaded the presidential campaign of Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson on Long Island and former DA Denis Dillon has credited Tom as the first person to encourage him to run for public office.  Tom, himself, has also run for office.

In 1958 he married Marge Doherty of Park Slope.  They later moved to Sea Cliff, where they have resided for over forty years.  They have of four children, Thomas and Joseph, (both attorneys), Mary Jo and Sean (both teachers), and are the grandparents of Thomas, Eileen, Sarah, Jones and Catherine Lilly.

Tom and Marge are active members of St. Boniface Martyr Parish in Sea Cliff.  He served as President of the Parish Council, was fundraising captain for the parish, taught Religious Education classes and belonged to the Nocturnal Adoration Society.  A parish publication in 1973 declared that “the name Thomas Joseph Lilly has become synonymous with St. Boniface School”, where he served as Chairman of the School Board for many years.

Tom would likely attribute his dedication to the working person, to the less powerful members of society, to church, community and family to the influence of his Irish ancestry and heritage.  It’s no coincidence that Tom has had a long interest and involvement in the struggle for religious, civil and national rights in his ancestral homeland.  He is a dedicated member of the AOH having served as President for three terms and as Historian for many years and he is a founding member of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

The women and men of Glen Cove Divisions 8 of the LAOH and AOH will never be prouder and can follow no better lead than when we follow our brother, Grand Marshal Thomas Joseph Lilly, Grand Marshal of the 22^nd Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

2010 Aide to the Grand Marshal – Gerard M. Herbert

Gerard Martin Herbert was born in July 1966 in Ballyconneely Connermara County Galway, Ireland to the late John and Bridget Herbert. Gerard is the youngest of five children. He was educated in Ballyconneely National School and Clifden Community School.

He was raised on the family farm where he helped with the chores. In the summer months, he went fishing on the Atlantic Ocean with his father and brother for Salmon, Lobster, and Crab.

He then attended the National Fishery training Center in County Donegal where he trained to be a commercial fisherman. After the two years of commercial fishing, he left and went to work in construction. Ironically that’s when he got the biggest catch of all; he met his wife to be, Susan. And together, they emigrated to the United States where they now live with their three children Stephanie, Keith, and Noeleen.

Gerard worked in various fields before entering the air conditioning and heating field, in 1993. He installed and serviced various systems, to serve everything from single family homes to forty story buildings in Manhattan.

Today Gerard with the help of his wife, Susan, owns and operates Twelve Pins Mechanical; a full service, heating and air conditioning company.

2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 21st

The 2010 Glen Cove St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 21st at 1 p.m. This year’s Grand Marshal will be Tom Lilly.

The Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade The Parade has taken place annually since 1989.  The parade has grown to be the largest annual parade in Glen Cove and a civic celebration that is eagerly awaited each spring by all residents of the North Shore and the entire Irish community of Long Island.

Past and Present Grand Marshalls

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               Former 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               Congressman
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
2010     Tom Lilly

2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sash Ceremony

The 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sash Ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 1 P.M.  in Page One Restaurant, Glen Cove.  Join us as we honor Grand Marshal Tom Lilly and Aid to the Grand Marshal Gerry Herbert. Stay tuned for more information…

About Mike Moran

Michael J. Moran was born in Co. Carlow, Ireland, on March 22, 1930.  Mike emigrated to the U.S., settling in Sea Cliff, where he was employed for many years as a chauffeur for the Village of Sea Cliff Sanitation Department.

He was first inducted into Division 8 on March 28, 1957.  Mike went on to become a model of what a true Hibernian is, serving for six years as Division President, as chairman for Project Children and of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day parade and in many other positions.  On the County level, Mike served as Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Marshall and Co-chair of the annual Ladies Communion Breakfast.

In recognition of his service to the Order Mike received the high honor of being named Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

A special committee had been formed early in 1987 to address an oft-expressed desire by the membership that Division 8 follow the tradition set by many other Divisions of naming them selves after persons of high regard as a tribute to those persons and an inspiration an example of true Hibernianism to present and future members.

On April 14, 1997 that Committee submitted its report to the President, recommending that Division 8 “bear the name of our beloved Brother Hibernian, Michael J. Moran, and hereafter be known as the ‘Mike Moran Division, Glen Cove, New York”. The report went on to say:  “This recommendation is made with keen awareness that the Division has no greater honor to bestow, and will never again be empowered to extend such an honor – but no Hibernian has contributed more to the Division than Mike Moran.  His contributions have been countless, selfless and honorable, always given cheerfully, with unfailing dignity and charm – the hallmark of a great Irishman.

The Division was slated to vote on the Committee’s recommendation at its monthly meeting in May.  Mike died on April 29, 1997 at the age of 67.  He had been advised before his death that the Division was to be named in his honor.    That honor was bestowed posthumously, and by unanimous acclamation of the Division members, on May 8, 1997.   The new Division banner bearing Mike’s name was dedicated on December 17, 1997 in a ceremony held at the Swan Club, in the presence of Mike’s wife, Mary, and his daughters, Maureen Basdavanos, Theresa Pierce and Anne Gentile.

The following is an account of Mike’s funeral from the North Shore Hibernian:

We were all deeply saddened by the death of Brother Mike Moran on April 29, 1997.  Our brothers and their families followed Mike’s fine example of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity by attending the Hibernian wake service and his Funeral Mass in great numbers, ad did our Hibernian brothers and sisters from all over Long Island.

Mike was eulogized by County Board President Ed Friel and Division President Robert Lynch and our Chaplain Msgr. McCann led the prayer service.  The Funeral Mass at Mikes’ parish church, St. Boniface Martyr, Sea Cliff was concelebrated by Msgr. McCann and Fr. Michael Torpey, pastor of St. Boniface.  Mike’s coffin, draped in the Irish tricolor, was led into the church by a lone piper and accompanied by an honor guard of twenty five of his brother Hibernians.  Mike’s best friend, Charlie Phillips, acted as lead pallbearer.

A moving graveside ceremony was conducted at Locust Valley Cemetery where the lone piper played a lament over Mike’s grave while a color guard with the Division’s banner and colors stood to attention.  The honor guard held the outstretched tricolor over Mike’s coffin in the pouring rain during this final farewell.

Below you will find some newspaper clips about Mr. Moran.

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.

Glen Cove 2009 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Pictures and Video

Here are the pictures of the 2009 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with the Division’s own Robert Lynch as Grand Marshal and Barney Lough as Aide. The parade ran for almost an hour, followed by a division lunch at at Page One in Glen Cove.

After Parade Ceremony from Joe McDonald on Vimeo.

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.

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