Emerald Green: Police department pipers tune up to honor Joe Toal
February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Frank Cull
The men of the Pipes and Drums of the NYC Police Department Emerald Society Bagpipe Band have named Joe Toal their 1999 Irishman of the Year. Bandmaster John Tansey noted that this will be their first Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day dance. Honoree Toal is president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD and has long been associated with the Emerald Society and the Ancient Order of HIbernians. The Band hooley will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Mount St. Michael’s High School in the Bronx. Entertainment will be by Stages and, of course, the Bagpipe Band will perform for their many supporters. For reservations, call Tansey at (718) 945-4979, Brian Coughlan (516) 798-0975 or Mike Donnelly (914) 237-3070.
San Fran hero
The San Francisco Bay Area Law Enforcement Emerald Society is proudly wearing their shamrock for the president, Val Kirwan. Kirwan was among a number of San Francisco’s finest who were cited for heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Officer Kirwan (County Longford blood lines) was awarded the Bronze Medal for Valo" for his heroic efforts in chasing, disarming, and capturing suspects in a Safeway robbery in the Mission District of the City by the Bay.
Praise for McEnaney
Never miss an issue of The Irish Echo
Subscribe to one of our great value packages.
Bandmaster Joe Murphy of the Pipes and Drums of the NYC Fire Department Emerald Society Bagpipe Band heaping tons of praise on outgoing Band secretary Jim McEnaney as he stepped down from office. Murphy thanked Seamus for "the outstanding job that he did over the years and for his gift of wit and wisdom." Joe Duggan of Engine Co. 233 was named the new secretary in charge of Pipe Notes for the band.
Parade flap continues
The brouhaha between the Emeralds and the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, who are hiding behind the AOH Bronx County Div. 9 and the New York AOH County Board, continues to sizzle. Early favorite for grand marshal of the Millennium NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Thomas J. Moran, the resident kingpin for Mutual of America, the company that gave us another grand marshal in William Flynn.
Baltimore party
The Police Emerald Society of Baltimore is holding its third annual Paddy’s Wagon Party on Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Baja Beach Club. For tickets or information ring up Pete Hanlon at (410) 887-8273. The founder and current president is Brian Thacker, a 30-year veteran of the Baltimore City Police. The fledgling society, only three years old, boasts a membership of more than 350 Emeralds.
Heavenly news
Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Sheridan, vicar general for the Archdiocese of New York and chancellor of the seminary system, celebrated Mass at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie for five permanent deacons who were celebrating 25 years of ordination. One of them was Farrell Hopkins of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Dover Plains, N.Y. Deacon Hopkins is a former chaplain for the men of the Pipes and Drums of the NYC Fire Department Emerald Society Bagpipe Band. His brother Bill is a member of the Band and serves the FDNY Emerald Society as their director of activities.
In more heavenly news, three Jesuits from New York who have served in the archdiocese were ordained to the priesthood at Fordham University Church in the Bronx by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Costello of Syracuse. One of them was Father Matthew J. Cassidy, S.J. Fr. Cassidy taught for two years at Xavier High School in Manhattan before entering the Jesuits in 1988. An alumnus of Boston College, he joined its International Volunteer Program after graduation and taught for two years at St. Catherine Academy in Belize. From 1992 to 1995, he lived near Cape Coast, Ghana; he led Sunday worship and was a catechist, teacher and volleyball and track coach. He is the son of Farrell and Blanche Cassidy. Farrell Cassidy served the FDNY Emerald Society Executive Board as Queens Boro Officer in 1964-65.
Pork-barrell spending from the New York State budget saw the Emerald Society of the Courts of New York State Bagpipe Band receive $10,000 for new uniforms. The "dole" was included in funds obtained by NYS Assemblyman Alex Gromack and Sam Colman.