IN MEMORIAM

A toast to those who we miss every single day. We miss your crazy, politically incorrect, and, what would be illegal today, wild shenanigans. We especially miss you on St. Patrick's Day (and sometimes on Christmas and Easter). We ☘️ U .

Frank McGovern (1902-1989)

Frank J. McGovern, born in Swanhnbar, County Cavan, Ireland, emigrated to New York City and settled in Newark, New Jersey, in the 1920s. In 1936, he opened McGovern’s Tavern at 58 New Street, coinciding with the revival of Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. This fortuitous timing marked the beginning of McGovern’s Tavern’s journey to becoming one of New Jersey’s oldest and most cherished Irish pubs. For those who emigrated from Ireland to New Jersey, McGovern's Tavern was not only a place for a pint, but a place that provided employment opportunities. Established during the post-Depression era, the tavern has long been celebrated for its generous hospitality and enduring spirit.

John F. Cryan (1929-2005)

John F. Cryan was a distinguished American Democratic Party politician. Born in Baslick, Castlerea, County Roscommon, Ireland, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Cryan worked at Prudential Insurance in Newark and as a bus driver before opening a tavern in Newark's Vailsburg section. He began his political career as a Commissioner of the Newark Park Authority under Mayor Hugh Addonizio, then served in the NJ General Assembly from 1965 to 1967. Afterward, he was elected Sheriff and served until 1980. His legacy continues through his son, Joseph Cryan, who serves in the NJ Senate and was Assembly Majority Leader and Democratic State Chairman.

Ray Durkin (1935-2014)

Ray Durkin was a prominent Democratic Party politician, known for his leadership as chairman of both the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and the Essex County Democratic Committee. Growing up in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, Durkin served 17 years with the Newark Fire Department. In 1978, Durkin became the purchasing agent. In 1980, Durkin was appointed Essex County Democratic Chairman, and in 1985, he was named chairman of the NJ Democratic State Committee. He played a key role in Jim Florio's 1989 gubernatorial nomination. Durkin served as state party chairman until 1990 and continued as Essex County party chairman until 1992. His legacy is continued by his son, Christopher J. Durkin, who has served as Essex County Clerk since 2006.

George McCormack (1942-1992)

George McCormack, born in Newark, served as a tax administrator for Essex County for over two decades. He held the position of Newark’s West Ward Democratic Chairman and was a prominent figure in various Irish cultural events. George chaired the Irish Festival at the Garden State Art Center and led the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee as president. He was also a founding member and President of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore, created to support the participation of South Jersey residents in the Belmar Patrick's Day Parade. George served as the parade announcer for many years.

Timmy McCormack (1947-2011)

The Honorable Thomas Michael "Timmy" McCormack, born and raised in Vailsburg, was a distinguished judge and public servant. A graduate of Sacred Heart Parish school, Seton Hall Prep, Newark State College (1969), and Seton Hall Law School (1974), he began his legal career as a partner in McGlynn, McGlynn, and McCormack. McCormack was appointed to the State Superior Court on December 2001. Prior to his judicial appointment, he was an Essex County Freeholder, counsel to the Freeholder Board, and prosecutor and labor counsel for various municipalities. Deeply proud of his Irish heritage, he was honored as The Young Irishman of the Year by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in 1980, served as counsel to Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and member of Essex Fells Country Club and The Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore.

Maureen McCormack (1940- 2012)

Maureen (McCormack) Anstiss was born in 1940 on Mapes Ave in Newark. She was graduate of St. Vincent's Academy in Newark. She was a member of Women of Irish Heritage, the Cryan Association, the Giblin Association, Vailsburg First Aid Squad, Vailsburg Young Democrats, and a lifetime member of the NJ Kazoo Band. She served as a longtime senior clerk for the County of Essex and a principal clerk typist at the State of New Jersey Judiciary and lived in West Orange for most of her life and then moved to Belmar in the late 1990s, where she was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth's Church at Avon-by-the-Sea.

Jimmy Cryan (1965- 2024)

Jimmy was born in Newark, raised in Vailsburg, and then lived in South Orange, Union, and eventually Little River, South Carolina. A graduate of Columbia High School, Jimmy entered the family business, working at and later owning Cryan’s Beef and Ale in South Orange, where his charisma and storytelling endeared him to everyone he met. He later relocated to Little River, staying active in the restaurant industry, fishing, and cherishing time with his wife, Noreen. Known for his legendary trips to Ireland and deep love for his family and heritage, Jimmy was beloved on both sides of the Atlantic. Jimmy was a member of the Cryan Association, Giblin Association, County Roscommon Society, South Orange Lions Club and the NJ Association of Bar Owners. He was honored by the Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society, EIES of New Jersey, Project Children, South Orange Rescue Squad and numerous law enforcement organizations for all his charitable contributions.

JOSEPH MCCONVILLE (1924- 2015)

Joseph McConville was born and raised in Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland and then moved to Brooklyn at age 12 before eventually settling in New Jersey. A proud Marine Corps corporal during World War II, he was stationed in Japan and witnessed the Japanese surrender. After the war, he worked for 30 years as a maintenance manager at Hoffmann-LaRoche and remained active in Marine Corps social events with his wife, Marion. Passionate about the bagpipes, he played in multiple bands, including the Kearny Caledonian Pipe Band and the Essex County Emerald Society Police and Fire Pipe Band and was an honorary member of the New Jersey State Police Pipe Band. He also taught the state police to play and played at funerals for fallen heroes after 9/11. A dedicated member of the Shillelagh Club, The Harrison/East Newark Elks Lodge, and The Emerald Society, Joseph’s legacy lives on through his music, service, and community involvement.