Paul L. McAndrew, 1999 Deputy Grand Marshal

February 22, 2008

Paul L. McAndrew, 87, of Coopersburg, Pa., formerly of Kearny, died on Thursday in the home of his son, Paul. 

Born in Pittston, Pa., Mr. McAndrew lived in Kearny for many years until moving to Coopersburg five years ago. He was the custodian for St. Stephens School in Kearny for 10 years before retiring. Prior to that, he was employed by McKiernan & Thierry in Harrison as a machinist and stationery engineer. He also worked at the Condon Funeral Home as a porter/houseman for over 35 years until moving to Coopersburg. He had also worked for Kearny Federal Savings Bank in North Arlington.

Paul was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, receiving a Purple Heart with clusters, and a Bronze Star. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post 36 in East Newark, and was a cub master for 25 years for Pack 55 of St. Stephens Church. He was an usher and lector and past president of the Senior Citizens group and Holy Name Society, all at St. Stephens Church.

He was a volunteer counselor with the Kearny Juvenile Court, a member of the AARP Kearny chapter and past president of IAM Local 1867. In 1999, he was the deputy grand marshal of the United Irish Association parade. He was also a past president of the West Hudson/South Bergen Optimist Club.

Mr. McAndrew was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy E. (nee Schultheis), and is survived by his children, Paul A. McAndrew and his wife, Ann, Jane E. McAndrew, Claire McAndrew and Larry McAndrew and his wife, Beth. Also surviving are five grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the West Hudson/South Bergen Optimist Club in Pauls memory.

James J. Maguire, 2004 Deputy Grand Marshal

February 9, 2006

A Mass for James J. Maguire, 73, of Kearny will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Cecelias Church, Kearny. Arrangements are by the Condon Funeral Home in Harrison.

Mr. Maguire, who died Tuesday in the Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, was a butcher for the A&P food markets before retiring in 1992.

He served in the Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Maguire was a member of the American Legion Post 99 in Kearny and an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Kearny.

He was also a member of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus Council of St. Cecelia's Church.

Born in East Newark, he lived in Kearny for most of his life.

Surviving are his wife, Sophie; sons, James and Robert; daughters, Patricia Sudol and Carol Maguire; a brother, Thomas, and six grandchildren.

 

Joseph P. McGonigal, 2002 Grand Marshal

 

Tuesday, November 04, 2003

A Mass for Joseph P. McGonigal, 72, of Kearny will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Cecilias Church, Kearny. Arrangements are by the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home, Kearny.

Mr. McGonigal, who died Sunday at home, owned Sean McGonigal Signs in Kearny for many years.

An Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of the Wilson Gugelman Post 1302 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Joseph E. Frobisher Post 99 American Legion and Amvets, all of Kearny.

A bagpipe player for more than 60 years, he was an instructor at the College of Piping in New York City and Pipe Major Emeritus of St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band in Kearny.

Mr. McGonigal was a founding member of the Brian Boru War Pipe Band, Newark, St. Brendan the Navigator Pipe Band and the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Juvenile Pipe Band, both of Kearny.

He was also a member of the Glasgow Celtic Football Club Association, the Scottish American Athletic Club and the St. Cecilias Knights of Columbus, as well as St. Cecilias Holy Name Society, all of Kearny.

Mr. McGonigal sponsored the McGonigal Signs Keltic Kickers Soccer Team and was a member of the Glasgow Celtic Football Club Association, both of Kearny. He was a member of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association, the National Rifle Association and the National Right to Life Organization.

Born in Glen Ridge, he lived all his life in Kearny.

Surviving are sons, Joseph, Michael, Kevin and Sean; daughters, Patricia Murphy, Maura DesLonde and Deirdre Nargiso; sisters, Breda Smyth and Kathleen Ostrander, and 11 grandchildren.

Thomas P. McKeon

Friday May 10, 2002

Thomas Peter McKeon, 85, of Kearny died Friday at home. A Mass will be offered at 10:00 am Monday in St. Cecilia's Church, Kearny, after the funeral from the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny.

Mr. McKeon was a tax preparer for H&R Block in Kearny for 18 years before retiring 2 years ago. Earlier, he was a chemical operator for Immont in Elizabeth for 23 years before retiring in 1982.

A former president of the United Irish Institute of New Jersey and a member of the United Irish of West Hudson, Mr. McKeon was a founding committee member of the annual Irish festival at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.

He had been named Man of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Kearny and gave the organization a Celtic cross from his boyhood town of Boyle, Ireland. The cross is now the centerpiece of the Monsignor Joseph A. Carroll Park along the Passaic river in Kearny.

The 1979 grand marshal of the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade. Mr. McKeon played a key role in reestablishing the Easter parade there. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Senior Citizens, both of Kearny, vice president and secretary of the Daly Association in Harrison and a member of the Giblin, McGovern and John Cryan Associations.

Born in County Roscommon, Ireland, he came to Kearny 50 years ago.

Surviving are his wife, Una; a daughter Mary T. Elliott; sons, the Honorable Thomas Declan McKeon, municipal court judge in Kearny, and Sean and five grandchildren.