Four Nassau County members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians have been named to the New York State Board of the AOH.
At the New York State Convention, held in Pearl River last month, James Burke of Massapequa was elected as New York State AOH Vice President, this after holding the positions of state secretary and treasurer over the past four years.
"It's been an honor to be elected vice president of the New York State AOH," Burke said. "We are the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the United States and we strive to promote our heritage and culture. Although New York State contains the largest AOH population, as vice president, it is my goal to grow the order," Burke said.
Also elected is John O'Connell of Floral Park who will take the role of District 6 director, covering Nassau and Suffolk counties. O'Connell was also reappointed as the state's publicity director and was also tapped to fill the vacancy of National Hibernian Digest editor, by AOH National President, Seamus Boyle.
John Ryan of Massapequa Park was, meanwhile, reappointed as the state's Veterans Affairs chairman, while Joseph McDonald of West Hempstead, was named the state's webmaster, handling the AOH's new media.
James Burke has been a member of the Michael Hogan Division 15 in Massapequa since 1986. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he served as commandant of the Marine Corps League in Massapequa. He was an account executive for Norampac for 20 years. He lives in Massapequa with his wife, Patricia, and has four grown children and nine grandchildren.
O'Connell joined the Mike Moran Division 8 in Glen Cove in 1996. He is executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. He lives in Floral Park.
Ryan is a National Life Member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a veteran of both the U.S. army and the New York City Police Department. Ryan lives in Massapequa Park with his wife Noreen.
McDonald is currently the president of the Mike Moran Division 8 in Glen Cove. A Hibernian since 2007, he also holds the positions of national online editor of the Hibernian Digest. He is a reporter for Fox Sports, covering the New York Mets. He lives in West Hempstead with his wife Liz and daughter Jamie.
