Who's Who

President: Haydn O' Shea

Vice President: James Dougherty, Esq.

Treasurer: Patrick Duffy

Secretary: Elizabeth Halpin

Honorary Chairman: Kevin McFadden
Master of Ceremonies: Haydn O'Shea

Treasurer: John Kavanagh

Assistant Treasurer: Patrick Duffy

Secretary: Elizabeth Halpin
Publicity: James Dougherty, Esq

Member: Jude Collins

Member: John Halpin

Member: Bill Lewis, Jr.

Member: Gavin O'Shea

Kevin McFadden -- 47th Grand Marshall.  March 2023

A former New York City Police officer, a Greenwich native and the grandson of Irish and Scottish immigrants. McFadden was born in Greenwich, the son of Francis P.  and Pearl McFadden. His grandparents Michael McFadden of Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland, and Anne E. O’Neill McFadden of Dumbarton, Scotland, came to America in 1929 and settled in Greenwich where they raised five children. After attending Greenwich Catholic School and St. Mary High School, McFadden enrolled at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. He began his law enforcement career in 1992 and worked for 28 years in the New York Police Department before retiring in 2020. He now works in security for Morgan Stanley.

John Toner --   46th Annual Parade.  March 2022   

Born in Greenwich, the son of Bartley and Rose Toner, both immigrants from Ireland, he from County Donegal, she from County Tyrone. John graduated from St. Mary Grammar School and St. Mary High School. He then graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in English. John finished his education with a Master’s Degree in Education from Manhattanville College. John spent two years in Ghana with the Peace Corps teaching English and Literature.

In addition to a successful career in banking, John served in many roles in Greenwich's local government, culmintating in his being named Selectman in early 2015 upon the passing of David Theis, was re-elected to that position and retired in 2019.

Monsignor J. Peter Cullen – 45th Annual Parade on March 24, 2019

Monsignor Cullen has very strong Irish roots. His Irish ancestors include the Cullen, Collins, Nawn and Curley families. His Cullen ancestors came from Ireland to Boston in the 1850s. His ancestors came from counties Roscommon and Cork.   In addition to his parish duties, in 2002, Cullen was named by Bishop William Lori as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia in the Diocese of Bridgeport. As Vicar General, he assisted the Bishop in governance of the Diocese and as Moderator of the Curia he assisted in coordination of the work of the Diocesan staff.

Cullen has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 30 years. In 1998 he was awarded the honors of a Fourth Degree Knight. He is also a member of the Fr. Myron V. Miller Assembly 1794 in Stamford. He has been a dedicated Chaplain to Orinoco Council 39 in Gree

Pat (Mary Patricia) Wilson – 44th Annual Parade on March 18, 2018
Both parents emigrated to the United States in the 1920’s. Her mother was born in Montrath, County Laois, and her father was born in County Offaly. Ms. Wilson, a lifelong resident of Greenwich, graduated from Sacred Heart University and went on to receive her Juris Doctorate Degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing Michigan. She has since maintained a private law practice in Greenwich and is actively involved in the community. Ms. Wilson was the Treasurer for the Greenwich Hibernian Association and Chairman of the Parade Committee for many years. 

Catherine Lavaty – 43rd Annual Parade on March 19, 2017
Grandparents, George and Catherine Kelly, emigrated from County Cork in the late 1800’s. Ms. Lavaty graduated from Berkley Business School in White Plains and subsequently went to work for NBC in New York for 38 years. At NBC she worked in the news division as program manager. Ms. Lavaty is involved with her church, St. Mary of Greenwich, where she is the head of the Social Concerns committee. She is also a board member of the NBC New York Employees Federal Credit Union and the Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Brian O'Connor, Esq. – 41st Annual Parade on March 22, 2015

The oldest of four children of Thomas and Lois O'Connor whose ancestors hailed from County Kerry. Mr. O'Connor graduated from the University Connecticut School of Law and was an associate and partner at Greenwich law firm, Ivey, Barnum and O'Mara from 1969 to 1983. Subsequently, Mr. O'Connor and five other attorneys formed the Stamford law firm, Diserio, Martin, O’Connor and Castiglioni. Mr. O'Connor is a 46 year resident of Greenwich and has been involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations including The Wild Geese, Stamford United Way, Interfaith Council of Fairfield County, Kolby Cathedral High School and Business Council of Fairfield County.  

William Gallagher – 40th Annual Parade on March 23, 2014
Mother and father’s ancestors hail from County Donegal and County Cork. Mr. Gallagher served in the Greenwich Police Department in the 70’s and early 80’s where he was an original member of the Greenwich Police Emerald Society Bagpipe Band. In 1981, Mr. Gallagher co-founded Summer Rain Sprinkler Systems and is a founding director of First Bank of Greenwich.

William J. Connolly – 39th Annual Parade on March 17, 2013 *Deceased 
Father was born in County Carlow and his maternal grandfather and grandmother were born in County Cork and County Galway respectively. Mr. Connolly’s service to the local community includes being a Greenwich Time paperboy, a pants presser in his father’s tailor shop, a clerk and butcher at Quinn’s Market, an altar boy at St. Mary Church and a drummer in the Greenwich Police Pipes & Drums Band. Mr. Connolly served in the United States Marine Corps and is a self-taught artist.

Chief James J. Heavey – 38th Annual Parade on March 25, 2012
Father is from Roosky, County Roscommon, and his mother is from Edgeworthstown, County Longford. Chief Heavey serves on the boards for the Greenwich Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a member of the Greenwich Police Emerald Society and Connecticut Critical Incident Stress Management Team and is Cubmaster of Pack 35. Chief Heavey was Chief of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company and served as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve for over 20 years.

Monsignor Frank C. Wissel – 37th Annual Parade on March 20, 2011 *Deceased
Irish ancestry is from his mother, Ann Mooney. Monsignor Wissel was a pastor of St. Mary Church from 1997 till his retirement in 2014. From 1981 to 1991, he served as principal at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport and was a teacher for the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Brooklyn prior to entering the priesthood. Monsignor Wissel was ordained in 1977.

Hon. Martin L. Nigro – 36th Annual Parade on March 21, 2010 *Deceased
Mother was from Roscrea, County Tipperary. Judge Nigro was a lifelong Greenwich resident who served on the boards for United Way, the Greenwich Advisory Council on Youth and Drugs, the Drug Liberation Program and Community Return of Stamford. He was also active in governance for the Town. Upon his graduation from Yale University School of Law, Judge Nigro served in the United States Army for three years.

James Dougherty, Esq. – 35th Annual Parade on March 22, 2009
Irish ancestry is on all sides of his family with Dougherty, O’Brien, Dehan, McGahey, McCabe, Comber and other Irish ancestors. The Dougherty side of the family came out of Inishowen in County Donegal. He is a local attorney who has served on the Boards of numerous local non-profit organizations and on the Town of Greenwich Commission on Aging. He was President of The Wild Geese, an Irish American cultural organization and is a founding director of The Irish American Museum of Washington, DC.

Joseph M. Gavin – 34th Annual Parade on March 9, 2008
Father and maternal grandparents all emigrated from County Roscommon. After serving in the National Guard from 1967 to '70, Mr. Gavin joined the Greenwich Police Department, retiring as a Youth Division officer in 1993 to help open the Horseneck Tavern. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Greenwich Police Emerald Society, Retired Greenwich Police Officers Association, Glenville Veterans Association, Byram Veterans Association and the Umbrella Club of Fairfield. In past parades he played the bagpipes in the Emerald Society's Bagpipe Band. Police Sgt. Michael Brian O'Connor blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

John Halpin – 33rd Annual Parade on March 25, 2007
A native of Ardagh, County Longford, Mr. Halpin emigrated to the United States in 1961. He began working in Arnolds Bakery while studying computers at night. Afterwards, he ran IBM tabulating machines and retired as a supervisor at Brinks in information management. John Halpin is a founding member of the Greenwich Hibernian Association and served as parade chairman for 28 years. He is a drum major for the Greenwich Pipe Band.

Patrick J. Waide – 32nd Annual Parade on March 12, 2006
Mr. Waide’s parents, natives of Ireland helped organize the parade in its early years. Mr. Waide, a retired public accountant and former executive vice president of finance and administration for the Bessemer Group Inc., sits on a number of nonprofit boards, including the American Federation for Aging Research, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the Hartford School of Arts.

Kevin E. Conboy M.D. – 31st Annual Parade on March 13, 2005
Dr. Conboy’s father is a native of County Offaly, and his maternal grandparents were natives of County Tipperary. Dr. Conboy is a member of the Greenwich Medical Society, Fairfield County Medical Association and the Connecticut State Medical Society. Since 1994, he has been chairman of the Credentials Committee at Greenwich Hospital and is past chairman of the Coronary Care Unit Committee. At the hospital he has served on the Executive Committee, the Utilization Review Committee and the Board of Censor of the Greenwich Medical Society. Dr. Conboy is known for his knowledge, gentleness, caring and concern.

Frank W. Kelly, III – 30th Annual Parade March 14, 2004
Great grandparents emigrated from Ireland during the 1850's settling in Rye, N.Y. Mr. Kelly is a 33-year veteran of the Greenwich Police Department where he was a founding member and later president of the Greenwich Police Emerald Society. He was also drum sergeant in the Emerald Society Pipe Band. Mr. Kelly is also a member of the Greenwich Hibernian Association, The Knights of Columbus Orinoco Council #39, The Navy League Western Connecticut Council, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, The Ninth District Veterans Association, Byram Shore Boat Club, Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club, and the Retired Police Officers Association.

James B. McArdle, Senior – 29th Annual Parade March 16, 2003 *Deceased
A lifelong resident of Greenwich, Mr. McArdle was the patriarch of the horticultural clan that has been keeping Greenwich green since 1910. During his tenure, he gave thousands of bulbs to local charities and to the Town of Greenwich to be used in the parks. Mr. McArdle was also active in many civic organizations where some of his roles included being president of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, trustee of Greenwich Hospital and director of Greenwich Boys and Girls Club.

James T. Larkin – 28th Annual Parade March 10, 2002
Great-grandfather from Ballylarkin, Parish of Freshford, County Kilkenny came to the United States in 1852 with his great-grandmother from County Waterford. Mr. Larkin was founding Executive Member of Cooperation-Ireland which was dedicated to peace in Northern Ireland through student exchanges between Protestants and Catholics. He was Vice-President of the Irish Club in London and as Trustee, Executive Committee and Treasurer of 160 year old N.E. Historic Genealogical Society (Boston) where he was instrumental in establishing 1st Irish Family History Program. Mr. Larkin was also Vice-Chairman of American Express International and a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps with 14 years Reserve.

Sister Cecilia Moloughney & Sister Patricia Moloughney *– 27th Annual Parade March 11, 2001 *Deceased
Both sisters by birth and faith emigrated to the United States in the early 1930s from their native County Tipperary. Both began teaching at the Nativity School in Queens where they remained for about 30 years. Cecilia and Patricia both pursued bachelor degrees from St. John’s University and master degrees from Fordham University. Patricia arrived in Greenwich in 1971 to serve as academic dean of St. Mary High School till 1991 and followed Cecilia to St. Michael’s where they both retired in 1996 as pastoral associates visiting the sick and serving Communion at Sunday Masses.

Daniel O’Donoghue – 26th Annual Parade March 12, 2000 *Deceased
A native of Killarney, County Kerry, Mr. O’Donoghue emigrated to the United States in 1950. He has been one of the strongest advocates of Irish organizations in Greenwich and Port Chester. He served as President of the Greenwich Thomas Davis Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, President of the Greenwich Hibernians and President of the Port Chester Irish American Association. Mr. Donoghue has been a member of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port Chester for over 50 years and as an usher for over 30 years.

Bríd Cordon – 25th Annual Parade March 14, 1999 *Deceased
Born in Dublin and raised in Gweedore, the heart of the Donegal Gaelic speaking region in Ireland. Fluent in the Irish language, Ms. Gordon was an instructor in Conversation Gaelic at Tara Circle in White Plains. She was also a member of the Greenwich Hibernians. Her husband, John Cordon, painted the Greenwich Hibernian’s St. Patrick banner that is still used in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Honorable Kevin Tierney – 24th Annual Parade March 15, 1998
Great-great grandmother from County Tipperary brought seven children to the United States in 1851, after her husband died in the Irish Famine. Mr. Tierney has a long line of ancestors serving the public from the family settled in the United States. His great-grand uncle was Bishop of Connecticut; great grandfather, Jeremiah Tierney, a judge, fought in the civil war; grandfather, William L. Tierney, Sr., was a Congressman; and Mr. Tierney’ father, was a Judge of the Town Court, a Superior Court Judge and Grand Marshal of the 5th Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Tierney has followed a family tradition as a Superior Court Judge and serving in numerous civic organizations ranging from the U.S. Army Artillery to public governing committees to the Greenwich Kiwanis club.

Denis Curran – 23rd Annual Parade March 16, 1997
A native of Belfast, Mr. Curran was the President and Director of Bank of Ireland Asset Management. He started his career with the Irish Development Authority and became Director for North American investments into Ireland. Mr. Curran accepted the role as Grand Marshal to help promote a Belfast employment based organization called Flax Trust whose board he sits on. It is a center for both Catholics and Protestants entrepreneurs seeking to start a business.

Francis X. Walsh M.D. – 22nd Annual Parade March 10, 1996
Grandparents were from County Cork and County Kilkenny. A native of Valhalla, N.Y., Dr. Walsh came to Greenwich in 1967 where he completed his residency at Greenwich Hospital in 1970. He then served in the U.S. Army as chief of medical services at Kenner Army Hospital in Virginia and returned to Greenwich in 1974. Dr. Walsh has served on the boards of directors of Greenwich Hospital, the Kidney Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, the Greenwich Medical Society and various local charities.

John Cullen Murphy – 21st Annual Parade March 12, 1995 *Deceased
A founder of the Wild Geese, Mr. Murphy served in the Army during World War II. At that time he did war illustrations for the newspapers. He also painted portraits of military figures, including Douglas MacArthur and his family. Mr. Murphy is best known for the “Prince Valiant” comic strip found in about 350 newspapers.

Father Francis J. Moy – 20th Annual Parade March 13, 1994
Mother is from County Mayo and father is from County Donegal. Father Moy was born in Greenwich where he studied at St. Mary School and later went on to Iona Prep in New Rochelle under the Irish Christian Brothers. In 1958, he entered the Jesuit Order and went onto to be Assistant Director and Chaplain at Fairfield University. Father Moy was then Associate Pastor of St. Mary Parish and was actively involved as a member of the Wild Geese. R.

Michael Dunne – 19th Annual Parade March 14, 1993 *Deceased
Great grandfather from Portlaoise. Mr. Dunne was chairman of the Selectmen’s Committee on Parking and Traffic. He was also chairman of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce from 1985 to 1990 and served on the boards of the Greenwich Hospital Association, United Way, Brunswick School, Putnam Trust & Co., Wild Geese and the Exchange Club of Greenwich.

Honorable William B. Lewis – 18th Annual Parade March 15, 1992 *Deceased
Paternal grandparents from County Kilkenny and County Waterford. His maternal grandparents were from County Tipperary. Judge Lewis served two terms as first selectman from 1971 to 1975. In 1982, he was appointed state Superior Court judge by Gov. William O’Neill. After graduating from Notre Dame, he went on to serve 3 years in the U.S. Air Force.

John A. Fahey – 17th Annual Parade March 10, 1991 *Deceased
Grandparents from County Cork and County Galway. His wife was from Druny, County Donegal. Mr. Fahey was executive director of the Greenwich Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also president of the Men’s Club at St. Mary Church and president of the Rotary Club.

Monsignor Thomas P. Guinan – 16th Annual Parade March 11, 1990 *Deceased
Parents are both natives of County Clare. Monsignor Guinan was ordained into the priesthood on March 17, 1945 in the St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford. During his service in Connecticut parishes, he led the forming of basketball and baseball teams for the youth and the building of St. Michael Church Greenwich in addition to his other initiatives. Monsignor Guinan was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Wild Geese, AARP, Golden Age Club and many other civic and charitable organizations.

David C. Robbins – 15th Annual Parade March 12, 1989
Maternal great-grandparents were from Dublin. Mr. Robins, a graduate of Iona College, Williams College and Dartmouth College, went on to be First Vice President of Community Banking. He a has a long history of serving in numerous civic organizations ranging from Director of the Boys and Girls Club to Director of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Robins has received the “Irishman of the Year” award from the Greenwich Police Emerald Society.

Anna C. Cordon – 14th Annual Parade March 13, 1988 

A native of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Ms. Cordon is a past president of the Greenwich Ladies Thomas Davis division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Treasurer. Her responsibilities for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee have included treasurer and chairperson. In 1987, she became the first named “Woman of the Year” of the Pipes and Drums Corp of the Firefighters Emerald Society of Westchester.

John J. Kavanagh – 13th Annual Parade March 15, 1987
Father from Ballinamore, County Letrim and mother from Castleisland, County Kerry. Mr. Kavanagh was a member of Representive Town Meeting, Greenwich Board of Parks and Recreation and the Selectmen’s Golf Advisory Committee. He is also a lay reader and member of the Parish Council at St. Mary Church. For more than 25 years, he coached Knights of Columbus teams in the Greenwich Babe Ruth Baseball League.

James P. Leahy – 12th Annual Parade March 16, 1986
Father was from Schull, County Cork and his mother from Carlinford, County Louth. Mr. Leahy was co-founding president of the Wild Geese. He was director of the Irish American Cultural Institute, vice president and director of United Way and founding president of Chimney Cove Tax District.

Jeanne Farrel – 11th Annual Parade March 10, 1985
Paternal grandparents were from County Longford and maternal grandparents were from County Clare. She was the Town’s Social Services Commissioner for 16 years. Ms. Farrell was appointed president of the National Homecaring Council and served as national director of Community and Patient Services for the National Multple Sclerosis Society. She was also a member of the Greenwich Service Unit of the Salvation Army, American Public Welfare Association and the National Conference on Social Welfare.

Terence Noel McGovern – 10th Annual Parade March 11, 1984
A native of Florencecourt, County Fermanagh. Past President of the Thomas Davis Division of the A.O.H. Host of the “Irish Hour Show” on WGCH Radio. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Greenwich was chaired by Terence Noel McGovern.

Philip A. McGovern – 9th Annual Parade March 13, 1983
A native of Glangevlin, County Cavan. Past President of Thomas Davis Division of the A.O.H. Co-founder of the “Irish Hour” heard on WGCH radio. Detective Frank W. Kelly, Jr. blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Reverend Robert McDermott – 8th Annual Parade March 14, 1982 *Deceased
A native of Sligo. Pastor of Sacred Heart Church. Chaplain of the Greenwich Hibernian Association. Patrol Sgt. Larry Conners blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Michael Donohue – 7th Annual Parade March 15, 1981 *Deceased
A native of Cribany, County Cavan. Retired Supervisor of the U.S. Post Office. Past President of the Thomas Davis Division of the A.O.H. Detective Michael J. McDermott blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Brendan FitzSimons – 6th Annual Parade March 16, 1980
A native of Belfast. Former editor of the Greenwich Time. Prior to coming to Greenwich, he worked with the Associated Press. Patrolman Thomas W. Smith blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Honorable William Tierney – 5th Annual Parade March 18, 1979 *Deceased
Ancestors came from County Tipperary. Judge Tierney is a retired Superior Court Judge. Lt. Brian M. O’Donnell blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

William Quinn – 4th Annual Parade March 18, 1978 *Deceased
Native of County Tyrone. Employed by James Butler Grocery Company and bought a grocery store from them. It was a family operation known as Quinn’s Market on Greenwich Avenue. Patrolman John D. Styles blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

John M. Gleason – 3rd Annual Parade March 19, 1977 *Deceased
Grandparents came from Killeloe, County Clare and from Tipperary. A long career in public services; Chief of Police, Greenwich Town Administrator and National Director of the Boy’s Club of America. Lt. Edward J. Duff blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Francis H. Keegan – 2nd Annual Parade March 13, 1976 *Deceased
Grandparents came from County Letrim. Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Town of Greenwich. In 1974 chosen Boss of Year by Greenwich Jaycees. Lt. George J. Hyland blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.

Griffith E. Harris – 1st Annual Parade March 15, 1975 *Deceased
3rd Generation American whose grandmother came from County Cork. First Selectman Town of Greenwich 1957 – 1963. Policeman James Fahy blew the whistle signifying the official start of the parade.