BY KIRSTEN SANCHEZ
A veterans’ advocate, a civically-involved priest and two charity-minded inn owners will be among the honorees at the borough’s Ancient Order of Hibernians annual dinner-dance next month.
The AOH, Division 3 branch, now celebrating its 145th year, will honor Patrick Devine, an advocate for Bronx veterans and member of Community Board 10 for more than 30 years; Christy and Rosetta Lawless, owners of the Shamrock Inn on Crosby Avenue in Pelham Bay, who funded a scholarship program at eight east Bronx Catholic elementary schools; Father Richard Gorman, chair of Community Board 12, and William Walsh, vice president of the North Bronx Healthcare Network.
It will also posthumously honor Thomas Moore, past president of Division 3 and a retired FDNY deputy chief who passed away in May of 2012.
The affair will be Thursday, Nov. 8, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Maestro’s, 1703 Bronxdale Ave.
The Bronx division, founded in 1867, is comprised of Irish Catholic men who support the Catholic Church, community Catholic schools and local programs that improve the lives of all Bronxites.
Devine said it is a great honor to receive an award from the organization.
“Of course it is a great honor,” said Board 10 member Devine. “I am being honored as a veteran advocate and also as a community activist. I have been doing this for forty years and being of Irish heritage it is a great honor to be recognized by a distinguished group such as them. Their organization does a lot of things for the veterans, so again, it is a great honor.”
Fr. Gorman agreed.
“It was a surprise, but it was very gratifying,” Gorman said. “I enjoy working in civic work in the Bronx and I really don’t look to get an award for it, so when I get an award like this it s very special. And if I know anything about my fellow Irishmen, its going to be a great night.”
“I am pleased to announce that the division will honor these distinguished Irish-Americans who have made outstanding contributions not only for the Irish but all Bronxites,” said Division 3 president Bob Nolan. “Collectively, they have devoted their lives to service for persons in need.”
In the past two years, Division 3 has awarded $5,000 in scholarship funds to 11 Irish Catholic students graduating the 8th grade.
They on to the following high schools: Our Lady of The Assumption, St. Francis Xavier, St Clare of Assisi, St. Theresa’s, Villa Maria Academy, St. Benedict’s, St. Frances De Chantal and St. Mary Star of the Sea.
In addition to the dinner, there will be a journal dedicated to the life of Thomas A. Moore.
The cost of the dinner is $75 per person.
Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket or journal ad should contact the committee at nolanbxbp@hotmail.com.
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
