2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade Honorees
GRAND MARSHAL - Dr. Donald E. Bain - President - St. John Fisher College
Donald E. Bain, Ph.D.
President of St. John Fisher College
Grand Marshall 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Donald Bain is pleased to be Grand Marshall of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Don is best known in the Rochester Irish community for his role in the many contributions and memorials St. John Fisher College has made to Irish history and culture. For example, a facsimile of the Irish ‘Book of Kells’ is part of the permanent collection at the College library. It was donated to the College as a gift from Irish-American descendents, Irish immigrants, and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Auxiliary. The College also is home to the “Great Famine Monument” which is a memorial to the millions who perished in the famine. The monument is prominently displayed on the campus and was a gift of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Don traces his Irish ancestry to County Kerry and first visited Ireland in the autumn of 1964. Most recently, in November of 2008, he traveled to Waterford to meet with Sister City friends, business leaders, and Waterford Institute of Technology representatives to explore educational partnership opportunities. In October 2009, he was named to the Irish Education 100, the first listing of distinguished and accomplished educators of Irish descent in North America, published by the Irish Voice Newspaper and Irish America Magazine.
He became interested in history and law at an early age. Pursuing these disciplines, he was awarded a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. Prior to receiving the doctorate, he earned a Master's and a Bachelor's degree. During his undergraduate studies, he was a research assistant at Columbia University. Following his doctoral work, he was awarded an NEH fellowship at Yale University. He subsequently received a graduate certificate in educational management from Harvard University. He first joined St. John Fisher College in 1975 and has served as a professor, provost, and is in his sixth year as President of the College.
Research interests have taken him into government service during leaves of absence from the College.
A specialist in 20th century American national security, he has been a Visiting Scholar at the Defense Intelligence Agency and also held a senior appointment at the National Defense University in Washington. Before completing his education, he served in the United States Navy as a member of a combat aircrew. A Vietnam era veteran, he is a member of Williamson, New York, American Legion Post 394.
Committed to public service, Don belongs to several community organizations and was elected to four terms as a Town Justice in Williamson, New York. He is a member of the New York State Magistrates Association. He currently serves as a member of the board of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester and the Rochester Business Alliance. Recently, he was reappointed to serve a three-year term as a member of the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Seventh Judicial District of New York State.
He and his wife Margaret have two children and four grandchildren.
COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR - Carolee Conklin - Rochester City Council
Carolee A. Conklin
Rochester City Councilwoman
Community Leader of the Year - 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Born in Central New York, Carolee A Conklin lived and worked in the Northwest quadrant of Rochester for more than forty years, before more recently moving downtown. Her four adult children attended City schools and all currently live in our community.
A single mother, Ms. Conklin went to work for a private accounting firm, and then began her career in local government, originally working for the C.E.T.A. Program as the Senior Financial Officer. During the next two decades, she served as the City's Deputy Treasurer, the Monroe County Deputy County Clerk, and the City Clerk of Rochester.
In each increasingly responsible position, Ms. Conklin successfully found ways to offer better service to taxpayers with increased savings. As City Clerk, she found new sources of revenues and reached greater levels of service. She achieved a better than 95% customer approval rating among the holders of the 25,000 licenses that the City Clerk's office issues each year.
Her extensive volunteer service has allowed Ms. Conklin to give something back to Rochester, while helping to better understand the people who live here. She has served as an active volunteer and board member of Action for a Better Community (ABC), Alternatives for Battered Women (where she served as treasurer for five years), Women Helping Girls, and the American Association of University Women (serving ten years as treasurer). Ms. Conklin currently serves on the boards of the YWCA, Corn Hill Navigation, and International Sister Cities of Rochester (ISCOR).
As an at-large member of the City Council, Ms. Conklin chairs the Finance Committee and is committed to maintaining quality City services at a good value for residents and business owners. She is also a member of the Neighborhood & Business Development Committee.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - Matthew J. Flanigan - American Cancer Society
Matthew Flanigan
American Cancer Society
Citizen of the Year - 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
We are pleased to announce Matthew Flanigan as the 2010 Citizen of the Year for the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day parade. Matt grew up on the city’s north side and attended St. Ambrose parish, Bishop Kearney High School, and SUNY Brockport. From his early days as an altar server and paperboy, Matt has served his community.
As Executive Director, of Camp Stella Maris on Conesus Lake Matt oversaw all aspects of the camp including running a successful capital campaign. He promoted the camp’s mission by creating a caring environment that fostered the spiritual, physical and emotional growth of young people. Matt is now the Regional Vice President of the American Cancer Society where he is instrumental in the development of a project called Hope Lodge. This facility offers a home-like environment where a cancer patient and their caregiver can stay free of charge while undergoing treatment. In 2009, Matt helped organize a group called “Journeys of Inspiration” which traveled to Tanzania, Africa. The group climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and raised money for many cancer patient and caregiver support groups.
Matt resides in Livonia with his wife Charmagne and their two daughters Aubrey and Teagan and is very active in school and family activities. Both girls are Irish dancers with the Young School. The Flanigans are members of the new St. Mary’s Church in Livonia. Matt was part of the capital campaign there that raised funds to build the church in 2004.
Throughout his professional and personal life, Matt has been a servant for others. His enthusiasm and caring attitude have made him successful in many ventures, and this success has benefited our community. It is with great pleasure that we recognize Matt Flanigan as our 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Citizen of the Year.
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR - Mike Davis - Entercom
Michael Davis (with wife Lauri)
Manor Events Planner - Entercom
Business Leader of the Year 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Michael has been involved with the St. Patrick’s Parade for over 10 years now and has always provided advertising support through his position at Entercom Radio and worked to secure sponsorships. A lifelong resident of Greece, Mike started his business career after graduating from SUNY at Brockport in 1977. He managed several different party houses and country clubs until 1982 when he opened his own restaurant/party house/night club called The Island Cottage. Located in Greece by Lake Ontario, Mike had 10 successful years there before moving into the fundraising profession.
With his office located at The Al Sigl Center, Mike became events/fundraiser for The Arc of Monroe County and still helps both the Arc and The Al Sigl Center today with special projects. In 1999 Mike was offered a position with Entercom Rochester as Director of Major Events and Marketing, his current position. Mike puts on many major concerts and special events for the radio group including WBEE Guitars and Stars Concerts, 98PXY Summer Jams and the Haunted Hayrides of Greater Rochester to name a few.
Mike is still involved in helping many other charitable organizations such as The Ronald McDonald House, The Heart Association, Camp Good Days and Special Times and The March of Dimes. Mike has been married to his wife Lauri for over 31 years and they have two children, Juliett and Shauna. We not only thank Mike for his time and efforts with the Irish Community but for all he does for the entire greater Rochester community.
HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL - Georgina Lynch
On October 4th, 1915, Annie Georgina Cadle was born in a tiny 2 room stone cottage with a thatched roof in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, Ireland. She was the oldest of 3 children, all born in Ireland. When she was five years old, she arrived in Rochester, NY on April 8th, 1920 with younger brother Tarlton, 2 ½ years old, and baby sister Noel, 4 months old, all in tow. She lived on Lindhurst St. until she was 16.
Georgina attended #14 School, grades Kindergarten through 6th; #31 school, grades 7 and 8; and took business courses at East High School, 9th though 12th grades. One of her biggest thrills was attending the 100 year celebration of East High where Mitch Miller and his brothers attended. They graduated from East High a few years ahead of Georgina.
At a young age, she developed a good work ethic which will last her throughout her life. She earned extra money in high school where she babysat for family, friends and neighbors. Upon graduating from East High School in January of 1933, Georgina worked at the Mohican Super Market on East Main Street, between Gibbs and Stillson Steets. She worked there ‘til she was 41 years old and the supermarket went out of business. Georgina married on November 11th, 1933 to Gordon Lynch. They lived in several different places throughout the city. Finally, Irondequoit became her home. On December 4th, 1944, Georgina moved there, where she currently lives and has lived for 65 years.
Her 5 children; Nancy, Tom, Maureen, Jack, and Sheila were her life. Spending summers in Cape Vincent up the Thousand Islands was an escape and yearly ritual. In 1962, when she felt comfortable enough to have the older children watch the younger ones, Georgina began working at Star Markets in Northgate and Stoneridge Plazas. She finally retired from Star Market at 68 years old. Georgina is a grandmother to 6 and great grandmother to 11 children.
She has been blessed with this wonderful family who she often visits throughout the country; California, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida. Georgina maintains contact with her family throughout the world, including Australia, England, and of course Ireland via email, letters and cards, and by phone. She has traveled to Ireland 7 times visiting family. Georgina has had her share of loss and heartaches but counts her blessings daily.
Gardening as been one of Georgina’s strengths. In and out of her house are numerous species of plants that she can identify without hesitation. Holiday parades by motorcycle have been mandatory. When riding behind her son on his motorcycle, dog Tara in the sidecar, she says she feels such an excitement that is unbeaten. She enjoys her social life.
When not in her garden, Georgina spends time having a libation or two at O’Loughlin’s, Marge’s, Shamrock Jacks, and Johnny’s Irish Pub. She is an ardent fan of the Wild Geese and being a groupie has earned her many accolades from the band when she is present. They sing her favorite song, “Danny Boy,” to which she knows all of the words.
You will see her at the Irish Festival every year at Camp Eastman. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is an event she wouldn’t miss. She revels in the dress and camaraderie annually. Although her eyesight and hearing have waned, Georgina maintains her connections with people through her wit and charm. Whether she is riding on the back of her son’s motorcycle, fishing aboard his boat, or traveling around the country for birthdays or special events, Georgina has led a fulfilled and eventful life and offers no regrets. She is looking forward to more rewarding experiences that can outrival no one.
At 94 years young, Georgina Lynch is the perfect honoree for the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
