Kevin McGinty
2013 Grand Marshal
Kevin and his late wife Kathleen had 5 children: Kevin, Jean, Chris, Megan and Pat. Kevin is the proud grandfather of Diana, Christine, Kevin, Angelina, Kathleen, Daniel, James, Ronan, Caitlin, Riley, Elizabeth and Devin. Kevin lives in Euclid Ohio.
Kevin loves all aspects of Irish Culture, Music,Sports and Traditions. He played Gaelic Football with St. Pats Gaelic Football Club. Kevin was a founding member of the Cleveland Irish Players and currently is the Director. As Director of the Irish Players, he has produced over 50 plays appearing in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and touring in Ireland. Kevin was recognized with a Theater Honor by the Irish Society of Pittsburgh. For 20 years Kevin and his good friend Joe Nichols have co hosted the radio show “Sounds of Britain and Ireland” on WCPN Radio 90.3FM. the show is heard every Sunday evening from 4-5pm. He was also the voice of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Time Warner for 6 years. Kevin is the President and member of the Cleveland Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart. Kevin was a founding member of the Irish Archives, a member of the Irish American Club East Side and the West Side Irish American Club.
The United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland honored Kevin as the 2005 Co Chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and are proud that he will lead as up the Avenue as the 2013 Grand Marshal of the 146th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Una Ellis
2013 Irish Mother of the Year
Una Ellis was born in Skerries, County Dublin. She emigrated to the United States at 4 years of age with her parent Michael and Sarah McCaughey and settled in New York City. When she was 6 years old, Una began Irish Dance lessons, with strong encouragement from her parents. She began competing at Irish Dance Competitions, becoming a Champion Dancer in the New York/New Jersey area, later traveling back to Ireland to compete.
In Dublin, Una took the TCRG Exam and was awarded a Certificate to teach Irish Dancing. She began organizing her dance school when she moved to New Jersey and after a few years applied for her adjudicators exam. Una has judged irish Dancing Competitions for many years and is still active in that area, striving to encourage young dancers to reach their goals. She has judged all over the United States and Canada, as well as at the World Championships in Ireland. Una moved to South Carolina and was elected Regional Director in 1997, remaining in this position until 2003. Una has been awarded many honors during her dancing career. She chaired the 2003 National Championships in Nashville, TN and was presented with a Tipperary Crystal Trophy for her endeavors, when it was(at that time) the largest profit accumulated at a National Championship, She has also received the Southern Region Lifetime Achievement Award, has been presented with a plaque by Eilis Ui Dhalagh, President of An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha at the World Competition held in Philadelphia. She was honored this past July at the National Championships in Chicago for her contributions to the art of Irish Dancing.
While in South Carolina, Una was President of the Ladies Guild of St. James and President of the Florence Deanery for St. James Church in Conway. From there, she also was voted Catholic Woman of the Year for the Florence Deanery and received a certificate signed by the Bishop of Charleston, Daniel B. Thompson. During this time, Una decided that she would like to achieve a life goal of earning a college degree. She attended Harry Georgetown College and received an Associated of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.
Although dancing has been Una’s passion, her family has been the center of her life. Una married John Ellis at St. Ann’s in New York. They are proud of their family: daughter Kathleen (deceased); son John and his wife Julie; son Brian (deceased) and his wife Eileen; grandchildren Elliot, Tatyana, Jennifer and Christine; one great granddaughter Leah.
John and Una now live in North Ridgeville, Ohio and are members of the West Side Irish American Club. They are still active in their parish of St. Clarence in North Olmsted. Whenever there is a need for something to be done, they are ready to help. Una is very proud of her family, her Irish heritage and her participation in the Catholic Church. Una is a proud representative of the Irish and Catholic Community as she is honored as the 2013 Irish Mother of the Year.
Timothy Leahy
2013 St. Patrick's Day Parade Co-Chair
Timothy Leahy was born on February 9, 1948 to Julia and Richard Leahy. He is the eldest of 7 children. Tim was raised in Parma.He attended St. Charles Grade School and Holy Name High School. He attended Cuyahoga Community College fro 2 years before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1968. In 1973 he joined the Cleveland Police Department where he worked for 38 years, acquiring the rank of Sergeant and retired from the force on January 3, 2011.
Tim and married his wife Veronica on October 19, 1974. They have been blessed with 3 children:Steven, Sharon and Daniel and 7 grandchildren: Timothy, Angelina, and Lauren Mazur, Mikayla, Samuel, Andrew and Hailey Leahy. The Leahys live in the West Park area of Cleveland and are parishioners of Our Lady of the Angels.
Tim is very active in several civic organizations namely; the Greater Cleveland Police Emerald Society where he is a trustee, Cleveland FOP Lodge #8 where he is a trustee, Police, Fire and EMS Holy Name Society where he serves as Secretary, the Anchor Club where he is Sergeant at Arms, American Legions 13th District where he is the Second Vice Commander, Retired Irish Police Society where he serves as Treasurer and the Greater Cleveland Veterans Council where he serves a Treasure. Tim has been the recipient of several awards during the last few years namely: 1997 Legionnaire of the Year by the American Legions 13th District Council, March 13, 2004 the James P. Sweeny Founders Award Man of the Year by the Retired Irish Police Society, May 16, 2004 received the Citizen Award from the Greater Cleveland Safety Forces Holy Name Society, 2005 received the Distinguished Service Award from the Greater Cleveland Police Emerald Society and in 2009 awarded the Raymond “Rip”Reilly Memorial Directors Emeritus Award by the United Irish Societies for work with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. In his spare time, Tim enjoys golf, fishing, boating and spending time at his summer home in Marblehead, Ohio.
Daniel B. Chambers
2013 St. Patrick's Day Parade Co-Chair
Dan is a third generation funeral director and embalmer. He is the President of Chambers Funeral Home. He belongs to the Ohio and Cuyahoga Funeral Directors Associations as well as the Embalmers Association of Cleveland and past managing member of Foresight Family Funeral Homes. He is currently a Board Member and Past President of the Fairview/West Park/ North Olmsted Rotary, member of the North Olmsted Chamber of Commerce and Olmsted Falls Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the City of Fairview Park Planning Commission.
Dan has been a life member of the West Side Irish American Club.He has served as a Board Member for the last 20 years. St. Patrick’s Day has been made special for many of the Irish Community of Cleveland because of Dan’s dedication and work with the West Side Irish American Club’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass at St. Colman’s. When he has spare time from the many activities he chairs for the Irish American Club, he finds time to be a member of the Irish Archives, Irish American Charitable Foundation and the Mayo Society of Cleveland.
Past Honorees
- 1958
- Grand Marshal - John J. O'Malley*
- 1959
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. O'Malley*
- 1960
- Grand Marshal - John T. English*
- Outside Co-Chair - William F. Chambers*
- Inside Co-Chair - Raymond J. Reilly*
- 1961
- Grand Marshal - William J. Cannon*
- Outside Co-Chair - James P. Conway*
- Inside Co-Chair - William T. Monroe
- 1962
- Grand Marshal - Thomas E. McDonald*
- Outside Co-Chair - James J. Lynch*
- Inside Co-Chair - James M. Lynch*
- 1963
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Lynch*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Celia Carney*
- Outside Co-Chair - James T. Kilbane*
- Inside Co-Chair - Joseph P. Rochford*
- 1964
- Grand Marshal - Michael McGlynn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Margaret Spellacy*
- Outside Co-Chair - William F. Sweeney
- Inside Co-Chair - Martin J. Cooney*
- 1965
- Grand Marshal - Arthur McChrystal*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Agnes Chambers*
- Outside Co-Chair - James T. Breslin
- Inside Co-Chair - Augustine Boland*
- 1966
- Grand Marshal - James T. Kilbane*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Margaret Browne*
- Outside Co-Chair - Ignatius E. McIntyre*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary V. McNeeley*
- 1967
- Grand Marshal - James M. Lynch*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Catherine Kline*
- Outside Co-Chair - Daniel L. Berry*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary E. Reynolds*
- 1968
- Grand Marshal - John E. Ryan*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget Boland*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Barrett, MD
- Inside Co-Chair - Eamon D'Arcy
- 1969
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Scott*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Elizabeth Kenny*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. Michael A. Sweeney*
- Inside Co-Chair - James E. Murray*
- 1970
- Grand Marshal - James J. Boland*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bernadette Murphy*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas Coughlin*
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas Byrne*
- 1971
- Grand Marshal - Michael B. Comer*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Esther Kilbane*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas F. Campbell, PhD*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary B. Cook
- 1972
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Duffy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Beatrice Lynch*
- Outside Co-Chair - Canon Liam J. Kitt
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick J. O'Malley*
- 1973
- Grand Marshal - Hon. George J. McMonagle*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Reynolds*
- Outside Co-Chair - James B. Mooney
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick W. O'Malley*
- 1974
- Grand Marshal - John P. McNea*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Sweeney*
- Outside Co-Chair - James W. McGorray*
- Inside Co-Chair - Ralph Connor*
- 1975
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. Byrnes*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Rita Kilbane*
- Outside Co-Chair - William J. Kiernan*
- Inside Co-Chair - Oliver E. Murphy*
- 1976
- Grand Marshal - James M. Carney*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Delia McIntyre*
- Outside Co-Chair - Patrick J. Gallagher*
- Inside Co-Chair - Edward J. Campbell
- 1977
- Grand Marshal - Thomas F. McManamon Sr.
- Outside Co-Chair - Peter D. Corrigan, MD*
- Inside Co-Chair - Frank M. Sheehan
- 1978
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. McGeever*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Delia Gibbons*
- Outside Co-Chair - John J. Gill
- Inside Co-Chair - Maura Dowdall
- 1979
- Grand Marshal - Bryan Kilbane (In Memoriam)*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Loretta Prendergast*
- Outside Co-Chair - James P. Reynolds*
- Inside Co-Chair - Margaret Mylett
- 1980
- Grand Marshal - Oliver E. Murphy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Howard O'Malley*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. Ann McManamon
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Reynolds
- 1981
- Grand Marshal - Canon Liam J. Kitt
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Hastings*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. John V. Corrigan*
- Inside Co-Chair - John Coyne*
- 1982
- Grand Marshal - Martin L. McLaughlin
- Irish Mother of the Year - Beatrice McIntyre*
- Outside Co-Chair - John P. Coyne
- Inside Co-Chair - Michael G. Lavelle*
- 1983
- Grand Marshal - Michael McGarry*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anne Grey*
- Outside Co-Chair - Terrence Joyce*
- Inside Co-Chair - Edmund P. Byrne
- 1984
- Grand Marshal - John T. Patton Sr.*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Terese Hurley
- Outside Co-Chair - Leo P. D'Arcy
- Inside Co-Chair - Deneen C. O'Reilly
- 1985
- Grand Marshal - John O'Neill*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Ursula Lynch*
- Outside Co-Chair - John O'Brien
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick T. Murphy
- 1986
- Grand Marshal - Michael Roddy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary O'Neill*
- Outside Co-Chair - Kevin W. Reynolds
- Inside Co-Chair - Eileen A. Reynolds
- 1987
- Grand Marshal - Thomas McCaffrey*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Hanna Byrnes*
- Outside Co-Chair - John F. McGarry
- Inside Co-Chair - Daniel M. Corcoran
- 1988
- Grand Marshal - Owen R. Quinn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget Birney*
- Outside Co-Chair - Richard A. Walton
- Inside Co-Chair - Walter J. McNally
- 1989
- Grand Marshal - Hon. Gerald T. McFaul
- Irish Mother of the Year - Angela Kerrigan
- Outside Co-Chair - Roger S. Weist
- Inside Co-Chair - Stephen L.. Mulloy*
- 1990
- Grand Marshal - James P. Reynolds*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Noreen Garriga
- Outside Co-Chair - Sean Anthony Boland*
- Inside Co-Chair - Margaret A. Lackey
- 1991
- Grand Marshal - John B. Quinn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Cooney
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas O'Neill
- Inside Co-Chair - Peter B. Hannon
- 1992
- Grand Marshal - Terry Joyce*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bette Berry
- Outside Co-Chair - John Togher
- Inside Co-Chair - Robert E. Hearns*
- 1993
- Grand Marshal - Alphonsus O'Leary
- Irish Mother of the Year - Julia Burke*
- Outside Co-Chair - Helen C. Malloy
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Ross*
- 1994
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Byrne*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Jordan
- Outside Co-Chair - John J. Hennessy
- Inside Co-Chair - Marilyn Madigan
- 1995
- Grand Marshal - Edward Campbell
- Irish Mother of the Year - Pauline Gallagher
- Outside Co-Chair - Paul Gallagher*
- Inside Co-Chair - Rita Lally
- 1996
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Ross*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Eileen Hennessy
- Outside Co-Chair - John Campbell
- Inside Co-Chair - Toby Haffey
- 1997
- Grand Marshal - Joseph Boland*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Celine O'Leary
- Outside Co-Chair - Dennis Dunn*
- Inside Co-Chair - James Kilbane
- 1998
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Kilbane
- Irish Mother of the Year - May Moore Keenan
- Outside Co-Chair - Sr. Maureen Burke SND
- Inside Co-Chair - Bonnie K. McNally
- 1999
- Grand Marshal - Raymond "Rip" Reilly*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Kilbane
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. J. Brendan McNulty
- Inside Co-Chair - John Togher
- 2000
- Grand Marshal - William Chambers*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Carr*
- Outside Co-Chair - James McGuirk
- Inside Co-Chair - Linda Carney
- 2001
- Grand Marshal - Lonnie McCauley*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Sara McLaughlin
- Outside Co-Chair - Bridget Boland*
- Inside Co-Chair - Bridie Joyce
- 2002
- Grand Marshal - Frank Sheehan
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Hastings-McCluskey
- Outside Co-Chair - Pat Dowd
- Inside Co-Chair - Tom Kilbane
- 2003
- Grand Marshal - Eamonn D'Arcy
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary O'Donnell Hayes
- Outside Co-Chair - Harry Simon*
- Inside Co-Chair - Rasa M. Chambers
- 2004
- Grand Marshal - James Patrick Caffrey
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anne O'Donnell Mulloy
- Outside Co-Chair - Nell Buckley
- Inside Co-Chair - Frank Hoban
- 2005
- Grand Marshal - Helen Malloy
- Irish Mother of the Year - Patricia Campbell*
- Outside Co-Chair - Kevin McGinty Hannon
- Inside Co-Chair - Linda Hannon
- 2006
- Grand Marshal - Bill Carney
- Irish Mother of the Year - Joan Cavanaugh*
- Outside Co-Chair - Gerald Quinn
- Inside Co-Chair - Ed Morrow
- 2007
- Grand Marshal - Stephen L. Mulloy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Ellen Boland
- Outside Co-Chair - Kathy Whitford
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary Alice Fitzgerald
- 2008
- Grand Marshal - John Campbell
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Hough
- Outside Co-Chair - Norine Hastings
- Inside Co-Chair - Michael Keenan
- 2009
- Grand Marshal - Tom Reynolds
- Irish Mother of the Year - Shirley Chambers
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. James P. O'Donnell
- Inside Co-Chair - Maire Leffel
- 2010
- Grand Marshal - John Hayes
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bonnie McNally
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Thomas Johns
- Inside Co-Chair - Shannon Corcoran
- 2011
- Grand Marshal - Gerry Quinn
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Lackey Sheehan
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Thomas Mahoney
- Inside Co-Chair - Sheila Murphy Crawford
Grand Marshal Walter J. "Mickey" McNally
Irish Mother Vera Casey
Outside Co-Chair William Chambers
Inside Co-Chair Una O'Leary Escolas
