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.

2008 Grand Marshal – John W.C. Canning

John Canning, the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, is a partner at Canning and Bollaci, LLP, a Sea Cliff law firm, and serves as Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Oyster Bay.

Canning was born in Glen Cove and raised in Sea Cliff where he attended North Shore Schools.  He has been engaged in civic activities for many years.  Present and past community involvement includes: member, Knights of Columbus, Glen Cove; officer, Sea Cliff Auxiliary Police; director, Glen Cove CARES; director, Friends of Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay; treasurer, Sea Cliff Civic Association; president, East Hillside Cemetery Association; lector, St. Boniface Martyr R.C. Church, Sea Cliff; member, North Shore Kiwanis Club; and director, Visiting Nurse Association of Oyster Bay-Glen Cove.  John is also an Honorary Member of the Sea Cliff Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1995, Canning was elected to the inaugural Nassau County Legislature where he represented Glen Cove and the northern portion of the Town of Oyster Bay and served as Chair of the Committee on Governmental Services and Operations.  He was also a member of two New York State Commissions: the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission and the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area Planning Commission.

Canning’s Hibernian activities have included being a member of the Irish-American Society and a founding member of Irish-Americans in Government.  For the past several years, he has been the voice of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Parade, announcing the line of march at the reviewing stand.