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The Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Parade Committee has selected a true Rockville Centre treasure to lead the 2010 Parade scheduled for Saturday March 20, 2010.
Perhaps you know him through the Knights of Columbus or he coached your son in basketball. You may just know his ever present smiling face from attending daily
Mass. “Whatever your affiliation is with Bernie, you just feel blessed to know him”, said Ann Marie Myatt, President of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Parade
Committee. “He has shared so much of himself with the community that being the Grand Marshal of the “Parade that Cares and Shares” is a perfect match”, added parade Vice President Sean O’Rourke.
Bernie O’Brien was born in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY to Frank and Madeline O’Brien. He is one of 5 children. After graduating from Hastings High school in 1950, he
attended Brockport State Teachers College and graduated with a BS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1954. He served in the United States Army Medical
Corps from 1954-1956 and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He then continued his education at NYU and earned a secondary Administration Degree in 1957. He began
his teaching career at Valley Stream South High School teaching Physical Education and coaching football, basketball and baseball. In 1959 he was appointed Chairman
of Physical Education, School Health, and Drivers Education. During his tenure, Mr. O’Brien was also the Director of Athletics and the Coordinator of Adult Recreation. In
1978 he was appointed District Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Rockville Centre School District. One year later, Mr. O’Brien was appointed to
the position of Executive Director of Athletics for 56 high schools and 55 middle schools in Nassau County. In this new role, he was responsible for scheduling all athletic
activities; assigning officials; conducting all post season tournaments; accounting all ticket sales from post season tournaments; and implementing all policy changes from
the State Education Department. After a long and diverse career, Mr. O’Brien retired in December 1992 but remained a consultant to the new Director until June 1995.
Mr. O’Brien has been married to his beloved wife Marilyn Logan of Rockville Centre for 49 years. Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien were married at St. Agnes Cathedral on August 27,
1960. They are the proud parents of seven children: Tim and his wife Lisa, Bob and his wife Hollie, Kathy and her husband Steve, Patrick and his wife Nancy, Teri and her
husband Mark, Sean and his wife Heather, and Kevin and his wife Erin. They have 25 grandchildren. Tim and Steve both worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and sadly were
victims of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001.
“Bernie” as he is known throughout town, has been a parishioner at St. Agnes for 49 years. He has served his fellow parishioners as both a lector and Eucharistic
Minister. Bernie has opened the Cathedral at 5:00am for 33yrs, 7 days per week where he prepares the church for daily Mass to assist the Priests of the parish. In
addition, he ministers to the homebound and has trained potential altar servers for 18 years. The O’Brien’s were the first couple from St. Agnes to receive the "St Agnes
Cathedral Diocesan Medal" given for service to the church and presented by the Bishop. He was an original member of the St. Agnes Grammar School Board. Mr. O’Brien
was an honoree at the Parish celebration on October 9, 2002 and the Friends of Mercy Medical Center in March 2006. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and
the American Legion Post 0303. In 1983 he received the NYS Athletics Administrators Honor Award. In 1984 he directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the
International Games for the Disabled at Mitchell Field. In 1985 he received a Special Service Award from the NYS Athletics Administrators Association. The National
Interscholastic Athletics Association gave Mr. O’Brien a Special Honor Award in 1986. As the Grand Finale of his career in Athletics, Mr. O’Brien was inducted into the
NYS Public High School Athletic Association Hall-of-Fame as an Athletic Administrator on August 5, 2009.
"I want to acknowledge, on behalf of my family, my sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of The Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, in being
selected as your Grand Marshal.”, Mr. O’Brien said. “I am deeply grateful to all the Committee Members, who have given of themselves, preparing every detail that is
involved in making the RVC St. Patrick’s Parade, the very best on Long Island. The hours, days, weeks and months that these wonderful people have spent raising funds
for the charities selected each year, is a true indication of their complete devotion, as volunteers, to their motto; "The Parade that Cares and Shares". I am sincerely
looking forward to the next 8 months and being a small part of such a tremendous group of truly dedicated people.”
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Fran Murray was born and raised in Rockville Centre, and is one of eight children of former longtime Rockville Centre Mayor Eugene Murray and his wife, Marylou.
After graduating high school from Cardinal Farley Military Academy, Fran attended the University of Dayton before returning to live in Rockville Centre. He is the President
of F.X. Murray Cleaning Services of Rockville Centre, and has been an active member of the Rockville Centre Fire Department for over 36 years, currently belonging to Floodlight
& Rescue Co. #1. Mr. Murray also served as an Emergency Medical Technician, and is the 2008 Co-Chairman of the Environmental & Beautification Committee for Rockville Centre. He has also been involved
in the Rockville Centre Community Fund as a member of its Golf Committee for over 20 years. He is a long time member of the RVC Council of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Holy Septechre and of the
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick's of Long Island. On the charitable side, Mr. Murray was co-chairman of the St. Agnes Parish Celebration 1982, served on the St. Agnes Cathedral School Board, and was on the
Celebration Committees for the 75th and 90th Anniversaries of the school. He is also a member of the St. Agnes Father’s Club and received its St. Thomas Aquinas Award in 2001. In addition to his work at St. Agnes,
Mr. Murray has been a member of the Friends of Mercy Board of Sponsors for more than 30 years, serving as its president in 1999. He is also a member of the Mercy Medical Center’s Board of Governors and has served as
Chairman of its Community Relations and Development Committee for more than 10 years. Mr. Murray also served as Chairman of the organization’s St. Patrick’s Dinner in 1995 and 2000. Fran was a recipient of Theodore Roosevelt
Award from the Long Island Hospital Association. He is also a committee member of the Long Island Hospitality Group, which raises money for the March of Dimes and Children’s Diabetes, and also served on the committee that
raised funds for the Long Island Children’s Museum move to a larger facility. Mr. Murray is married to his eighth grade sweetheart from St. Agnes Cathedral School, Barbara, they have five (5) children, Megan, Francis, Susan,
Deidre and Terence, two (2) grandchildren, Connor, and Shannon and two (2) son-in-laws, Patrick Boland and Michael Kelly
"I am humbled and proud to be associated with “the Parade That Cares and Shares”,” Mr. Murray said. “And I am honored to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2009 parade”.
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Frank Darcy was born in Brooklyn, has earned a B.S. from St. Francis College, an MBA in Taxation from Pace University and
completed post graduate study at the NYU School of Business in Financial Accounting as well as an honorary Doctor of Law
degree from Molloy College. He is a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Darcy was the President and Chief Operating Officer of SAZ Corporation and Realty and Equipment Corporation before creating The Realty Asset Group, Ltd. in 1979. Mr. Darcy built up The Realty Asset Group, Ltd. to a nationally recognized company in the real estate industry, managing, owning, and operating commercial real estate. With offices in Long Island, The Realty Asset Group is a leader in today’s business world.
On the charitable side, Mr. Darcy is a Trustee Emeritus of Molloy College, having served on the Board for over ten (10)
years and in 1991, was honored by Molloy with its “Lifetime Achievement” award. Mr. Darcy is also an advisor to the St.
Albert’s Education Fund, a Trustee of the Passionists religious order and St. Gabriel’s Retreat House for children in Shelter Island. He has been a member of the Friends of Mercy Hospital for over twenty three (23) years. He is currently a Trustee of St. Martha’s Parish in Uniondale, N.Y. and a member of the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s real estate, renovation and construction committees.
Mr. Darcy is a long-time resident of Rockville Centre with his wife of thirty- six (36) years, Anne, and their three (3)
sons, Francis, Philip and Patrick, his three daughters- in-law, Mary Beth, Jenny and Jessica as well as his five grandchildren, Jack, Caroline, Lily Anne, Elizabeth and Patrick. He keeps the memory of his youngest son, John, alive by his involvement in the charitable works of the John Darcy Foundation.
“I am humbled and proud to be associated with ‘the parade that cares and shares’,” Mr. Darcy said. “And I am honored to
serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2008 Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Parade”.
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Jack Irwin, one of Long Island's most popular and prominent Irish Americans ~ and for 11 years special assistant to Governor George Patakj for Irish affairs ~ has been named Grand Marshal for the 2007 Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade.
"There is probably no one active in Long Island's Irish American community who is not familiar with Jack Irwin," said Parade Committee President Michael O'Reilly, noting Irwin's virtually endless list of involvements and leadership in a wide
range of Irish events and organizations. "In addition, his charitable work and his commitment to serving his country, his Church and his community reflect the true essence of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade ~ the parade cares and shares, and that celebrates both our Irish heritage and our pride in being Americans."
John Joseph Irwin is a first generation Irish American. His mother was born in County Kerry, his father in County Limerick.
Irwin is no stranger to the spotlight. A child actor, he appeared on Broadway in "Life With Father," and also had roles in movies and on radio. He is a veteran of the Korean War, and retired as a Vice President of Merrill Lynch after a 38 year career.
Irwin has been an active and tireless leader in a wide array of Irish organizations ~ not only on Long Island, but statewide and even nationally. He has served the Ancient Order of Hibernians as its National Director, New York State President, Nassau County President, and for 8 years President of Division 14 ~ Lynbrook~Rockville Centre.
He has also chaired the Nassau County AOH Feis. He has been Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Irish American Republicans; Vice Chairman of the Irish American Heritage Museum; and an Officer in the New York Guard, Irish Brigade.
In addition, Irwin has been a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Long Island; the Irish Immigration Working Committee; the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens; the County Limerick Society; Irish Americans in Government; and the Irish Historical Society.
He was instrumental in coordinating adoption of the McBride Principles and McBride Contract Compliance Act for the New York State and New York City areas, and was also a member of the Joe Doherty National Committee. And he has also served as moderator for Presidential, State and City Irish American political forums.
Irwin has also given considerable effort to supporting youth and education programs. He has been a trustee of the Professional Children's School, a director of United New Yorkers for Choice in Education, and Director of the Physically Challenged Irish American Youth Team,
Among Jack Irwin's numerous honors have been awards from all levels of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as from the Knock Shrine Committee and the Irish American Legislators Society of New York State, He has been named "Favorite Son" of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Long Island and Man of the Year by Irish Americans in Government.
He has served as Grand Marshal of Glen Cove's AOH St. Patrick's Parade and Aide to the Grand Marshal in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Long Beach Irish Heritage Parade.
A member of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church in East Rockaway, Jack is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and a member of the Father Joseph O'Connell Council of the Knights of Columbus in Oceanside.
Jack and his wife Mary Ann live in East Rockaway. They have four children ~ Donna, Brian, Jacqueline and Jeff ~ and eight grandchildren. "As a charter member of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade Committee, I am humbled and proud to be associated with the parade that cares and shares,'" Irwin said. "And I am honored to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2007 parade."
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 The founder of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade will have the honor of leading the parade on its 10th anniversary in 2006. David Crowe, who as a Rockville Centre businessman first suggested such a parade back in 1994, will serve as Grand Marshal for the March 25, 2006 RVC St Patrick's Parade. "In 1994, the year I opened (Lily Flanagan's restaurant) in Rockville Centre," David recalled, "I was going past village hall and saw four proud Irish men hoisting up the Irish flag. At that moment, I came up with the idea that Rockville Centre should have a Saint Patrick's Parade - a parade that would have thousands carry the Irish and American flags, rather than-just four men." That love for bath his native Ireland - where he had served four years in the Irish Army Reserves - and his adopted American homeland was something David felt from the moment he first arrived in America in 1982; and something he knew he shared with so many other Irish Americans. "As I stepped off the plane," he says now, "I recall being amazed at the patriotism. Everywhere I looked I saw American flags, they were flying on buildings, homes and even cars, and from that moment I knew it was a place I wanted to belong to." And so, with the active support of Mayor Eugene Murray, the village board and many hard-working volunteers, David Crowe initiated what has come to be known as "the parade that cares and shares" - an event that not only celebrates that shared Irish American heritage of so many Long Islanders, but also raises significant funds for charity. "I enjoy helping others," David explains, a commitment that extends back to his days as a high school student in Limerick, Ireland, when he taught handicapped children at the Limerick Youth Centre "how to play all sorts of sports." Through his many successful business ventures - a partnership in the Irish Coffee Pub in Commack, Lily Flanagan’s restaurants in Islip, Wantagh and Rockville Centre, and an arcade he opened in Ireland in 1993 - he has helped create many employment and business opportunities for others. And in 1992 he traveled to Romania to help build an orphanage for underprivileged children. That same sense of personal responsibility has also led David to speak out and work against injustice. At age 17, having begun his apprenticeship as a steam fitter in Ireland, he started a work action and fought for all apprentices to have union representation and to be treated fairly. This led to his becoming the fm apprentice ever to join the National Electrical and Engineering Trade Union. More recently, David created an international stir when he spoke out against the novel "Angela's Ashes," a book he found "degrading to Limerick women and all mothers." All of those personal attributes - David's patriotism, his business acumen, and his commitment to helping others - are evident in what the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade has become: an immensely popular celebration of Ireland and America, whose financial success raises thousands of dollars every year for charitable causes. W1th all his accomplishments, the most important part of David Crowe's life is his family: his wife Talmadge, whom he married in September, 2003, and "our biggest joys," their two children, Fiona Lily and Evin David. David is also a long time member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7 in East Islip, the Long Island Chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and a founding member of the Irish Soccer Club where he played and coached for 15 years.
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 The 2005 Grand Marshal Major General Joseph A. Healey has an extraordinary record of service to his country and his
fellow man in the military, business, civic and philanthropic arenas. Born in Brooklyn, he attended Brooklyn Prep
and St. John's University, and joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted man and rose in the ranks to Sergeant First Class
before becoming a commissioned officer. Serving on the General Staff and as a Unit Commander, he then headed the
69th Infantry (the famed "Fighting 69th"), eventually becoming Commanding General of the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow Division."
He retired from a remarkable military career with the rank of Major General. Joe Healey was no less successful in the
world of business, having had an outstanding career with the New York Telephone Company, where he held positions as
General Manager for Queens, Director of Economic Development and General Manager of Public Services. Along the way he
furthered his education with graduate studies at the Brookings Institute and Harvard University. His contributions to
New York were no less distinguished serving as President of the New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and
Chairman of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross of Greater New York. He has also been a Trustee of Molloy College,
as well as taking leadership roles in the National Guard Association of the United States, the Militia Association of NY,
and the 42nd Infantry Association. He served as Commissioner of the New York Base Redevelopment Corp. and as a Member
of the Emergency Financial Control Board and the Mayor's Management Advisory Board. Proud of his Irish and
Catholic heritage, Gen. Healey has also been active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.
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 The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade is proud to have Joseph K. Collins as its Grand Marshal for 2004. Mr. Collins is President and Founder of Collins Building Services. Inc. of New York City, a company which in the last fifteen years he has built into a multimillion dollar operation. Mirroring his management style, the company is well regarded in the building maintenance industry for quality, creativity and intention to detail. Proud of his Irish roots, which go back to Counties Tipperary and Meath. Joe Collins has been an ardent and generous supporter of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade since its inception in 1997. In fact, being a St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal is not new to the Collins clan, since his grandfather, Patrick J. Collins, was Grand Marshal of the New York City Parade in 1917. It is also fitting that Joe is in the "service" business, since service, to his clients, his community, and his family has been his watchword since his younger days, when he started out as a milkman. Today, as the head of one of the most prestigious companies in the building maintenance field, and with some of New York's most famous properties as his clients, he still finds the time to volunteer his skills on the Boards of Directors of such non-profit organizations as Telecare and Covenant House, and as a supporter of the Mercy Home in Brooklyn and the Lifeline Award Organization. In fact, his service to organizations helping children won him the Outreach Project Award in 1996, in recognition of his dedication to children's causes and community leadership. A graduate of Baruch College and a U.S. Army veteran, he is also actively involved in professional activities with the Real Estate and Construction Board at Lincoln Center, and the Building Owners and Management Association. Joe Collins is known in his public and private life as one who cares and shares his talents and success, so it is indeed appropriate that he takes the reins as Grand Marshal for 2004 of "The Parade That Cares And Shares."
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 The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade Committee was proud to have Joseph Roughan as its Grand Marshal for 2003.
Joe has been a founder and inspiration for the parade since its inception in 1997. Born in Limerick, Ireland, Joe
was one of six children born to John and Mary Cooney Roughan. Brought up to respect God, the Church, his family and country,
he believed that honesty and hard work would be rewarded, and he has been rewarded with a beautiful wife of 45 years,
Noreen, 5 wonderful children and 10 terrific grandchildren. Joe served a carpentry apprenticeship while growing up in
Limerick and excelled in hurling, soccer and rugby. But with poor Irish economy at the time, he decided as so many did
before him to immigrate to America to practice his trade. Due to his youth, he was offered a "trial" job with a New York
construction company, but soon showed his talents and eventually rose from entry level to management. After 25 years with
the firm, he decided to open his own business, Roughan Interiors based in Rockville Centre. His reputation for honesty and
fine work made the business a well known success in the community. Having originally settled in Brooklyn, Joe and Noreen
and their growing family moved to Rockville Centre in 1965. They "knew right away" that this was the best possible place to
raise their family, He has contributed back to his community, being active in St. Agnes Church and School, and Mercy Medical
Center. It was also important for him to maintain his Irish identity, staying in touch with his roots and proudly marching
with his family, rain or shine, in New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade each year. Mindful of his own experience, he was
always willing to help young Irish immigrants find work or a place to stay. His generosity and pride in his "Irishness"
were legendary, and were recognized in several articles in Newsday and other local papers, even in his vacation home in Aruba.
He was particularly proud to have worked with several RVC mayors to have St. Patrick's Day recognized in the village, but
he always dreamed of the day when Rockville Centre would have its very own parade, one that would help others while
celebrating Ireland's patron saint. He was one of the small group of visionaries who, with the blessing of the late Bishop
John McGann, made it happen in 1997, when the "Parade That Cares and Shares" first stepped off. People enjoy Joe for his
good nature, his charming Irish smile, and his genuine concern for others. Through his generosity and vigor, he exemplifies
the true spirit of the RVC St. Patrick's Parade. As someone once said of Joe. "He's the real deal."
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 The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade was proud to have James F. Gill. Esq., as its Grand Marshal for 2002. Mr. Gill is a Managing Partner
of the prestigious New York law firm of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP. He serves as General Counsel for the New York
State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corp.; the Board of Trustees of St. Patrick's Cathedral; and the James Gordon Bennelt Memorial Foundation.
He also serves as Chairman of the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority, under an appointment by New York Stale Governor George Pataki; Chairman of Governor Pataki's
Judicial Screening Panel for the First Department, New York Stale; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Chairman of Group Health Inc. (GHI)
which provides medical coverage for approximately 3 million New Yorkers. Mr. Gill is a graduate of The College of the Holy Cross and Fordham University School
of Law and holds an honorary doctor of letters degree from St. Bonaventure University. Upon graduation from law school, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps
legal officer and then as an assistant district attorney of New York County under the legendary Frank S. Hogan. He has received numerous awards in recognition
of his public service and charitable endeavors. Some of these include: the Hogan-Morganthau Award in 1988; the Eugene J. O'Keefe Award from Fordham Law in 1993;
the Charles Carroll of Carrollton Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild, also in 1993; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1995; the St. Thomas More Award from
the Cardinal's Committee of the Laity in 1997; and the Distinguished Service Award from the Hundred Year Association of New York in 1998.
In 1994 he was the Honoree of the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, and in 2000 he was the Honoree of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
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 The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade was proud to have William J. Flynn as its Grand Marshal for 2001. Mr. Flynn is a giant in both the American
business community and in the peace process in Northern Ireland. As chairman of Mutual of America, he heads up on one of the nation's largest and
most successful life insurance companies. As a member of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board, he has been instrumental in providing the economic
dimension necessary for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. For these efforts, he was honored as the initial recipient of the National Committee
On America's Foreign Policy, "Initiative For Peace Award" and was selected by Irish America magazine as one of the "Greatest Irish Americans of the Century".
Well known for his philanthropic efforts. Mr. Flynn has helped fund raising efforts of numerous organizations including Mercy Medical Center,
Catholic Charities, The American Cancer Society, United Way and the New York Foundling Hospital. He has been honored by the Stale of Israel, The St. Vincent de Paul Society,
the Association of the United States Army and Life Services For the Handicapped; among many other organizations too numerous to mention.
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