Pat O’Hanlon is being honored this year by the Irish American Society as the 65th Annual Saint Patrick’s Parade’s Grand Marshal.
O’Hanlon has been a proud member of the Mineola-based Irish American Society for 35 years. He has served on the Inis Fada Feis Committee and chaired many dances.
O’Hanlon is proud to have been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 65th annual parade.
“This is the highest honor and I am proud to be selected,” O’Hanlon continued. “I am further honored to have my Floral Park neighbor and Irishwoman Mary Sexton selected as an aide to the Grand Marshal.”
O’Hanlon was born in Ballinagh, County Cavan, son of the late Peter and Annie and is one of seven children. He was educated at Ballinagh National School and Cavan Technical School. He worked for Smith’s Garage in Cavan Town for a short time before immigrating to the United States in June of 1961 and began working for Railway Express in Queens.
In 1974, he bought O’Hanlon’s Bar on 14th Street in Manhattan. He spent 30 happy years there. O’Hanlon met his wife-to-be, Mary, of Mullingar, County Westmeath, and they married in June 1965. They are the proud parents of two sons, Peter and David and daughter-in-law Jennifer and grandparents to Timothy, Michael and Katherine. They have lived in Floral Park for more than 40 years.
He enjoys playing golf and is a member of the Irish American Golf Club, Cavan Golf Club and Links at Union Vale.
On Sunday, March 1, the parade will step off at 1 p.m. from County Seat Drive, proceed to Mineola Boulevard. and then north to Jericho Turnpike, turn right on Jericho and pass the reviewing stand. All are welcome back to the Irish Center following the parade for a light repast, Irish music and dancing. Adults $5. Children under 12 free.
