Mike Harrington Named 2008 Hibernian of the Year

GLEN COVE, NY – The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8, awarded the Hibernian of the Year on Thursday evening, December 11th, 2008, to Brother Michael Harrington. The Hibernian of the Year is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated the ideals of the AOH motto – “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.”

Mike Harrington, over the course of years, has lived this motto of excellence and his commitment to the AOH and it’s charity is reflected as a true light in the community. Mike’s story has many facets. Mike is a volunteer firefighter in The Locust Valley Volunteer Fire Department where he leads fund raising efforts to ensure that our firefighters are safe and equipped. Mike has been an integral member of the Oyster Bay Bayman’s association as well as creator of the AOH Div 8 Independence Day Seafood Raffle.

His compassion also extends a world away to our troops overseas when in 2007 he volunteered for the 1st in Goal for America’s Troops project that was spearheaded by AOH Div 8 member Jack McDougal. More recently, Mike, along with AOH Div 8 member Paul Long and the Locust Valley Fire Department, hosted a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Operation Wounded Warriors based at Camp Lejeune. Mike’s character is especially revealed when he donates his time, effort and patience to the ministries of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Glen Cove. These are only a handful of examples in which Mike exhibits the motto of “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity” and this is why AOH Div 8 is proud to herald Mike Harrington as 2008 Hibernian of the Year.

Congratulations Mike!

For more information on the AOH, the worlds finest Irish Catholic organization, or if you are interested in joining please visit us on the web at http://www.glencoveirish.com or call Jeffrey Moore at (516) 322-5225.

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.