The towns represented by this year’s Honorees include Oradell, where the Grand Marshal resides; Alpine, Bogota, Dumont, Hasbrouck Heights, Norwood, Oakland and Tenafly.  Each of the Honorees embodies the love of their heritage and their commitment to both the Irish community and the community at large in Bergen County. 

Grand Marshal Kathleen Collins McMorrow was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.  Kathleen came to the United States in 1958 and after meeting and marrying her late husband, Leo, moved to Oradell, New Jersey.  Leo Collins passed away in a tragic accident in 1973 leaving Kathleen with two children, Eileen and Leo Jr.  Kathleen, with the help of family and friends, particularly her sister-in-law, Ester Collins, raised her children.  Today, she is married to Jimmy McMorrow Sr., who hails from Manorhamiton, County Leitrim, Ireland.  Rounding out the family are Jimmy McMorrow Jr., his wife Lisa and grand children, Shannon and Sean. 

Kathleen has been active in a variety of organizations and efforts in Bergen County.  St. Joseph’s Football Club, her first love, to which she was introduced to 1979, has seen her involved in all aspects of the organization, from elected positions to chairing fund-raisers, and of course supporting the teams at games.  Kathleen is also active in the Bergen Irish Ladies Auxiliary, again serving as an elected official in many capacities, and also fund raising.  Recently she was one of the first women to join the Bergen Irish Association, after a change in their bylaws allowed women to join, and has also recently joined the Columbettes of St. John’s Council of the Knights Of Columbus. 

The sense of caring and commitment to giving organizations that Kathleen learned in her childhood has traveled well to Bergen County.  She has earned the position of Grand Marshal with her years of dedication and hard work. 

Deputy Grand Marshal Sally Roche, who immigrated to the United States in 1960, was born in County Dublin, raised in County Galway, and married John Roche from County Limerick and settled in Bogota, New Jersey.  She and John raised three children.  Son John and wife Rita have three sons, Austin, Neil and Shane, as well as two adopted daughters, Sheba and Bianca.  Daughter Margaret and her husband Thomas Monaghan have five children; Tara, Courtney, Casey, Daniel and Siobhan.  Son Michael and wife Kelly have two daughters, Shannon and Meghan.  Sally has been very active in the Bergen Irish Ladies Auxiliary since joining in 1989.  She has served in many capacities, and is currently President.  Sally also represents the McLoughlin School of Irish Dancing as their delegate to the Bergen County Council. 

Deputy Grand Marshal John Keavey was born and raised in County Clare.  John was the fourth of ten children born to the late Anthony and Mary Keavey.  John’s father died at an early age, leaving the family when the youngest child was only two years old.  He came to the New York City and after attending high school volunteered for the army and served in Germany.  Returning to New York City he met his wife Kathleen (nee Reilly, from County Fermanagh) and married in 1966.  They settled on Staten Island while John worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.  He later joined the New York City Fire Department and served in all five boroughs throughout his career retiring as a Captain.  John and Kathleen then moved to Norwood, New Jersey and joined the Irish American Social Club of Bergen County.  John is also a member of the Fire Department’s Emerald Society and the Knights of Columbus.  Throughout his life John has been active in many ways within the church and Irish groups.  John holds a Bachelor’s Degree from City University of New York.  He and Kathleen are the proud parents of five children (four Fordham University graduates, one SUNY Albany graduate and advanced degrees at Columbia and Rutgers), and proud grandparents of seven.  John always says he has truly lived the American dream. 

The Honorary Grand marshals for 2008 are Father Brendan Darcy, SMA, Sheriff Leo McGuire, David Finucane and Mike Rafferty. 

Father Brendan Darcy, born in Galway City, came to the United States in 1958.  He entered the Society of African Missions (SMA) Seminary in Massachusetts, and also studied at the Catholic University, Washington D.C., Boston College and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.  Following ordination in 1967 Fr. Darcy spent 16 years in Liberia, West Africa, and became Regional Superior of SMA Liberia.  Returning to the United States he trained young men and women for missionary service with SMA in Africa.  This involved him in Irish communities in Washington D.C. and Boston, helping newly arrived Irish as well as attending the needs of those who had been here many years. 

Father Darcy is presently the Local Superior of the SMA provincial headquarters in Tenafly, New Jersey, and the Vice Provincial of the American Province of the SMA.   

Sheriff Leo McGuire, Sheriff of Bergen County, began his career in law enforcement in the army.  He enlisted in 1978, at the age of 18, and served as a member of the Military Police Corps.  Returning home he was sworn in as a police officer with the Ridgefield Park Police in 1985.  For more than two decades he served the citizens of Ridgefield Park, accruing 80 letters for meritorious service in the line of duty. 

Sheriff McGuire assumed the duties of Councilman in the Borough of Oakland and accrued a level of administrative experience that has served him well as Sheriff.  Chosen to serve the people of Bergen County in the highest elected law enforcement position in the state, Sheriff McGuire was re-elected overwhelmingly in November 2007. 

David Finucane, born in County Kerry, is one of six sons of Ann Sheehan and John Finucane.  He immigrated to the United States in 1998.  He and his wife, Marielle Mullane, County Limerick, married in 1992 and move from the Bronx in 1996 to Bogota, New Jersey.  Dave and Marielle have two sons, David, 13, and Jack 8.  Dave and his sons are big supporters of Kerry football. 

Upon arriving In the U.S. Dave worked for his uncle, John Sheehan, in his construction company.  This introduced him to the American construction industry, which ultimately led Dave to set up his own company, Piermont Iron Works, in 1996 with County Mayo native, Pat Kelly Sr. 

Mike Rafferty is one of the great exponents of the old lyrical and flowing flute-playing style from the East Galway region of Ireland.  He was born in 1926 and immigrated to the United States in 1949.  He lives in New Jersey with his wife of 56 years, Teresa.  They have five children, eight grand children and three great-grand children.  Mike has performed at concerts and festivals throughout the country, including the Smithsonian’s Bicentennial Festival in 1976.  Mike has taught at many locations across the U.S. and Nova Scotia.  In addition to being a guest on many recordings, Mike has recorded three albums with his daughter Mary: The Dangerous Reel, The Old Fireside Music and The Road from Ballinakill.  His most recent recording is his solo CD Speed 78. 

Mike Rafferty has devoted a lifetime to exploring, performing and teaching traditional Irish music, and has inspired many of today’s leading Irish musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. 

The Gunning Award, awarded for service behind the scenes for helping the Bergen County Council and parade, has been awarded this year to Jim Houlihan.  Jim, who has been active with the parade for years, had the idea in 2003 to publicize the parade using banners on highway bridges.  Jim and Paul Fitzsimons put up the first banners on Routes 4 & 17.  There are now 10 banners, reminding Bergen County residents of the best kept secret in Bergen County, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

All of these individuals have been involved with both the Irish American community and the community at large here in Bergen County.