Congratulations to our 2008 Grand Marshal

Thomas F. Flynn Chosen Grand Marshal – 2008 Mid-Hudson Parade

            Thomas (Tommy) F. Flynn of Chester has been chosen by the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade Committee to be its 32^nd Grand Marshall.  The parade will take place in Goshen, New York on Sunday, March 16, 2008.

            Tommy Flynn is a native of Orange County, the fifth of six children born to Thomas F. Flynn Sr., (Deceased) and Rita P. Villard Flynn.  The Chester Native graduated from St. Columba R.C. Grammar School in Chester and John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen.  He went on to study Mortuary Science and was licensed in the State of New York to practice as of July 4^th, 1984.  He soon began working in the family business of Flynn & Gannon Funeral Homes a longtime Chester and Monroe fixture.  Tommy is the President of Flynn & Gannon Funeral Homes also known as Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, serving Orange & Rockland Counties and New York City and the State of New Jersey.  He is also co-founder of Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., in Chester, New York.

            Tom is an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Joseph Duelk, Jr., Division One of Monroe, New York.  Tom joined in 1985 and since becoming a member has served in numerous offices including recording secretary, financial secretary, Vice President and President.  He is also a 15 year member of the Division One Pipes and Drums.  He is Right to Life Chairman for Division One as well as Orange County A.O.H. Board.  Tom is active in several community organizations as well.  Tom is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2079 in Monroe as well as the Cardinal John O’Connor Assembly of the Fourth Degree (K of C).  Tom is also a member of the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Church of Monroe and the Chester Kiwanis Club, where he chaired the annual Chester Clean Up for the past three years.  Tom was also active in the early years during the formation of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties.  Tom has also been provider of Veterans Services with the Veterans Funeral Care Program.  Here Tom was active in assisting the Veterans and their families during funeral and bereavement services.  Tom has also organized self help groups for parents who have suffered the loss of a child.  He has worked with the Bon Secour Health Care Systems in development of services for families who have loss a child. 

            Another project of Tommy Flynn’s is the annual Free Bus Ride to NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the resident so St. Columba Church (Chester) Sacred Heart Church (Monroe) St. Anastasia Church (Harriman) St. Patrick’s Church (Highland Mills) and Holy Rosary Church (Greenwood Lake), Tom has worked on the annual Sacred Heart Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner for the past 10 years.  Tom has also been an active supporter of St. Brendan’s Gaelic Football Club of Monroe.  Flynn has also been a Gold Sponsor for the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.  In short Tommy is a proud Hibernian and a supporter of many worthy Irish causes.

            Tom is married to the former Margaret (Margie) Patterson, whom he met when Tom was the basketball Coach for St. Columba, and Margaret was the 3^rd Grade teacher.  Currently Margie works as a second grade teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Middletown, New York.  The couple was married by the Clergy of St. Columba on July 18, 1987 at the Chapel of Mt. St. Mary’s College in Newburgh, New York.

            They are the proud parents of Conor Francis a college sophomore, Brendan Thomas a high school junior, Shannon Marie a high school freshman and Liam Joseph a seventh grader.  In addition with five other siblings, Tommy is the uncle to 25 nieces and nephews.

            Tommy noted in his acceptance letter the he would dedicate the day to the Serviceman and servicewomen of the United States Armed Forces that protect our Country with the same values and sense of service that our Grandparents and Parents fought to protect and worked to promote.

The Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade Committee is holding the following events in conjunction with its 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Parade.

PARADE DAY: SUNDAY MARCH 16, 2008

The 32nd annual Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade will be held Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Goshen, New York staring at 2:00 p.m. Thomas F. Flynn of Chester an active member of A.O.H. Div 1 of Monroe, is this year’s Grand Marshal.

Three events including the Parade will take place on the day. There will be a Mass, Grand Marshal’s Breakfast, and the Parade.

Parade day will kick off with an 8:30 .a.m. Mass at St. Columba Church located at 27 High Street in Chester. The Mass will honor the Grand Marshal.

The second event, the Grand Marshal’s Breakfast will be at10: 30 a.m.  At Kuhl’s Highland House, Located at 512 Highland Avenue, Middletown, N.Y. Tickets for this event are $20.00 per person. Tickets must be purchased by March 10th. No tickets will be sold at the door. For tickets please call either Cathleen McCormick at 845-342-6674 or Tom McDonald at 845-469-976 The Parade raffle will be drawn at the Breakfast.

The 32nd annual Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade will top off the day. The Parade will lineup at the Orange County Government Center. The lineup time is between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. with the step off at 2:00 p.m.