Jim McCabe Installed As Life Member

Division 8 celebrated Jim McCabe’s Life Membership with a dinner at the Swan Club in Glenwood Landing. Among the 172 people in attendance were members of the State, County and the five other living Life Members from Nassau County.

Jim has been a member of the AOH for 57 years and this honor is very well deserved.On the night he received his Life Member Medallion, a citation from Congressman Peter King, another citation from Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi, a Life Member sash from Division 8 and also a various gifts from both the men’s and ladies’ divisions of Glen Cove.

Division 8 also honored their Division Life Members Ed Doohan, Tom Lilly, and Martin Mannion.

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.

Brother Jim McCabe Up For National Lifetime Membership

Division 8 would like to wish Brother Jim McCabe luck as he is up for National Lifetime Membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Jim has passed through the division, county and state and now his application is in front of the National Board.

A brother for 57 years, Jim has served this organization and division in many facets, remaining active in almost all activities.

So good luck Jim, as the National Board will have a very tough decision on its hands come July.

Division 8 Makes Donation to Wounded Warriors Project

On October 8, 2009, Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians presented a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project to assist them in continuing their work of helping men and women returning from active duty in the armed services to re-acclemate themselves to post-military life.  The Wounded Warriors Project is a national organization which provides medical assistance, job training, education and advocacy to members of the armed forces and their families towards the end of their tours of duty.  Division 8 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians has raised supplies and funds though its annual raffle, collections and supply drives organized by Division Member Jack McDougal and manned by the members of Division 8 for the benefit of our service men and women.

During the supply drive,   over 20 boxes of supplies such as socks,

shampoo, soap, candy and other necessities were collected and sent to our armed forces serving our Country. Participating in the presentation, pictured above from left to right, were Stefan Stillwell, Patrick Furlong, Neil Sullivan, Jim McCabe, Jeffery Moore (Division Treasurer), Joe McDonald (Division Vice-President), Robert Panzenbeck, Paul Hastings (Ambassador for the Wounded Warrior Project), John Hanley (DivisionPresident) and Ryan Doherty (Division Financial Secretary).  The Division would like to extend it’s sincere gratitude to the men and women serving our country in the Armed Forces and the Wounded Warriors Project for their efforts in assisting them.  The Division would also like to extend its thanks to Page One for hosting this event.

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.