James Burke

In 1986, Jim joined the Michael Hogan Division 15 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Massapequa, NY 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, and currently serves as New York State Secretary. He was named “Hibernian of the Year” in 1987 and served as Co-Chair of the Nassau County Feis for six years. He is currently Chairman for Pipe Band competition.

Jim is also a member of the Tara Pipes and Drums in Massapequa for over 20 years, currently serving as the Drum Major. He also has been a delegate to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade for over twenty years and was Nassau County Aide to the NYC Grand Marshal in 2000.

Outside of the AOH, Jim is an Honorary Life Member of Knights of Columbus and Past Commandant of Marine Corps League. He is a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Massapequa with his wife Patricia (nee McNally). He has four grown children, and nine grandchildren.

(Glen Cove, NY – January 14, 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.

Mike Moran with members Charlie Phillips and Jim McCabe, leading the 1990 parade.

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.