February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Thomas Cuite Award: Martin Brennan Martin Brennan is the State Director for New York’s Senior Senator, Chuck Schumer. The Brooklyn native is also a longtime activist in the city’s Irish American community. He has championed immigration reform that would allow for future immigration from Ireland, and a path to citizenship for the undocumented Irish currently in the U.S.
Chief Brehon: Kevin Burke Kevin Burke is Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Edison. From 2000 to 2005, Burke was President and Chief Operating Officer of the company’s principal subsidiary, Consolidated Edison of Company of New York, Inc. In July 1999, Burke was President of Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc.. He has been with the company for 36 years.
NYPD P.O. Edward Byrne Memorial Award: Sgt. Edward Conroy
Sgt. Edward J. Conroy was born on July 27, 1956 in Manhattan to Edward and Brigid (nee Sweeny) Conroy. He is the oldest of six children. He entered the New York City Police Department in 1983, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1993. In March 2008, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly promoted him to Sergeant Special Assignment. Sgt. Conroy is curently assigned to the Citi Field Detail. He resides in the parish of St. Anne’s in Stewart Manor with his wife Elizabeth.
Woman of the Year Award: Sr. Margaret Dempsey, RSM The fourth and youngest child of Edward and Helen (nee Broderick) Dempsey, Sr. Margaret Dempsey was born in Brooklyn on April 22, 1947. She never knew her grandparents because all of them went to God before she was born.
Colleen Queen: Kerry Dineen Kerry Dineen, 17, a second generation Irish American, was born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and is currently a freshman at Fordham University Lincoln Center. She has been taking piano and figure skating lessons for many years, and, since first grade, has studied Irish stepdancing at the Buckley School of Irish Dance.
Paul O’Dwyer Memorial Award: Timothy B. O’Driscoll Timothy B. O’Driscoll is founder and first president of the Bayridge Irish American Action Association, which supported the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and raised money to assist Catholics burned out of their homes in Belfast by Loyalist mobs during the summer of 1969. The organization currently organizes an annual Mass in honor of the 13 Civil Rights marchers killed in Derry in 1972.
Celtic Cross Award: Deirdre Feerick Deirdre Feerick was raised in Long Island City and Sunnyside and currently resides in Woodside, Queens. She is a graduate of St. Raphael’s, Dominican Academy, the University at Albany and Brooklyn Law School. Feerick’s father, a former NYPD Detective and Teamster, and her mother, a nurse, instilled in her the importance of working hard and giving back to her community. Her grandparents immigrated from counties Galway and Mayo.
Fr. Mychal Judge Award: Msgr. Michael J. Hardiman Michael J. Hardiman, son of the late Michael (Gort City, County Galway) and Margaret, nee O’Malley (Miltown Malbay, County Clare), was raised in the parish of Saint Teresa in Woodside, New York, and attended the parish elementary school. His parents both came to the United States in 1929 and did not meet until after World War II. He is the pastor of St. Sebastian’s Church in Woodside, N.Y.
Thomas More Award: Judge John G. Ingram Judge Ingram was born in Washington Heights and raised in Jackson Heights and Breezy Point. He graduated St. John’s University School of Law. Judge Ingram was appointed in February 2006 to the Advisory Board of FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation Ltd. He has also received numerous awards and honors.
Bard Award: Chris Lowney Chris Lowney was born in Flushing (St. Andrew Avellino parish) and his family soon after moved to Jackson Heights (Blessed Sacrament), where he attended the grammar school. He attended Regis High School, and then studied as a Jesuit seminarian for six years. His first book, “Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company that Changed the World,” has been translated into 10 languages.
Round Tower Award: Vincent O’Connor The son of Irish-born parents, Vincent O’Connor was born in Brooklyn and attended Holy Name elementary school and Manual Training High School. During his senior year at NYU, he was appointed the varsity coach at St. Francis Prep by Brother Cyprian Zorskis, O.S.F. . His coaching career was marked bi-yearly success as the Terriers won the Catholic High School Championship in 1955, his first year. During his career with St. Francis Prep, he has racked up a record 300 wins as the Varsity and JV football coach.
FDNY Capt. Timothy Stackpole Award: Battalion Chief John J. Plant John Plant attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grammar School, St. John’s Prep, Niagara University and taught Physical Education in Brooklyn’s Catholic Schools for 5 years. He joined the NYC Fire Department in 1978, currently he serves as a Battalion Chief. John is a member of Good Shepherd Parish where he coached from 1989 until 2007, including Little League Baseball, softball and baseball.