I am starting my out and about with some sad news of a very nice lady Virginia Byrne (Ginny, as she was known) who has passed away, RIP. She played a big part in the promotion of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. I received this news from the committee of the parade. They said: “We are deeply saddened to inform the community of the passing of longstanding and beloved member of the Parade’s formation committee, Virginia Byrne.
“‘Ginny’ will be sadly missed by her husband Reilly Dundon, member of the Parade’s Board of Directors and Chairman of Formation, their son Alex, all members of the Parade Board and Parade Committee.
“Virginia (Ginny) Byrne, age 62, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2020 in New York, the city that she loved. Cause of death was complications of lung cancer. Ironically, Ginny never smoked. Ginny was born in Manhattan on May 30, 1957 and was raised in the Highbridge and Riverdale sections of the Bronx. She graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in 1975 and worked for Standard Brands in New York while attending and ultimately graduating from New York University in 1982.
“Desiring to be a journalist, as well as a seeker of truth, she became a reporter, and later a broadcast editor for The Associated Press (AP) in New York. In opening the ‘Police Beat’ at 1 Police Plaza for the AP, Ginny covered the drug wars on the streets of New York in the 1980s and 90s. Several of the many stories she covered were the shooting of NYPD Officer Steven McDonald; the racially charged death of Michael Griffith in Howard Beach in 1986, the Central Park Jogger case in 1989 and the Happy Land social club fire in 1990.
“While working for the AP, Ginny served in various positions for the Communications Workers of America-News Media Guild. In addition, she served as an officer and as president of the Newswomen’s Club of New York. One of her last stories for the AP was reporting on the 2010 death of Lt. Colonel Lee Archer, one of the last remaining Tuskegee airmen.
“She befriended many people in government, journalism and news media during her 28-year career; her wit, humor and intelligence made difficult days bearable for many. After leaving the AP, Ginny did consult and volunteer work for the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade and for the National Tartan Day New York City Parade.
“Ginny was devoted to her immediate family and sought the best of medical and physical care for them, regardless of the circumstances. After being diagnosed with ALK+ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in 2016, Ginny became a tireless advocate for research into this particular cancer, which primarily strikes healthy, active women under the age of 50. She also lobbied for the destigmatization of lung cancer, traditionally seen as a ‘smoker’s disease’ as increasing numbers of nonsmoking adults, primarily women, are diagnosed.
“She participated with two advocacy groups, ALK Positive and ALK Fusion, to focus awareness and support for those with this disease. Ginny was predeceased by her mother, Mary C. Doody, her father, James M. Byrne and her first husband, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Joseph Queen. Ginny is survived by her loving husband, Reilly J. Dundon, and their son, Alexander S. Dundon, to whom she became a fantastic Mom; her Aunt Rita Denault, Aunt Terri and Uncle Bob Dowdy, numerous cousins and mourned by many friends and former coworkers.
“It is requested that donations be made in her name to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Be A Part of The Solution Fund, which benefits lung cancer research.”
We send our condolences from The Irish Examiner USA, may she rest in peace.
Because these are very tough times and will never be seen again in my lifetime, it would be hard for me to do my Out&About, especially now that everything is closed down, now you well know what I mean?
Here is another sad piece of news of a perfect gentleman as it is with great sadness The County Cork Association announced the passing of Past President Martin Hickey last Thursday. We extend our deepest condolences to his daughters Anne Marie, Julie and his son Martin and his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A native of Cullen, Co Cork, Martin was born on April Fool’s Day in 1935 to Cornelius Hickey and Julia Murphy. He spent his youth in Cullen where his parents ran C. Hickey’s Bar. In his teens he traveled to Scotland to attend the Seminary. From here he was recruited into the Army and suffered a lifelong leg injury.
Back in Cullen as a young man he and his brother John ran an electric and radio business.In 1958 he gave into adventure and immigrated to America. Arriving in New York in 1958, Martin worked at the New York Athletic Club as a bartender. Soon after he started his career with Pan American airlines. He was proud to serve them until they closed in the 1980s when bought out by Delta Airlines. He served with Delta until his retirement, topping off his career with 35 years of working at Kennedy Airport.
Last year Martin was honored for being a member of the County Cork BP&P Association of NY for over 50 years. His daughter Julie and extended family represented him on the night. In 1987 Martin served as the President of the Association and they were blessed with his dedication and contributions.
Our deepest condolences go out to the Hickey family at this time of great sorrow. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers that come from the Cork Association and also The Irish Examiner USA.
Another great friend of The Irish Examiner USA is JP Cone whose father John passed away a few days ago. We would like to send our condolence.
John E. Cone Jr. was born in Brooklyn, NY to John and Kathryn Cone on May 29, 1942. John attended Loyola School in Manhattan. From there he attended Georgetown University and Fordham Business School. Following college, he went on to study Law at St. John’s University and graduated with a JD in 1968. Upon graduation, he began his career at Bingham, Englar, Jones, and Houston on Wall Street in Manhattan.
He met Mary Frances Sharpe in the Summer of 1967 who was teaching at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan after moving to New York from County Tipperary, Ireland. They were married in August 1969 in Dublin, Ireland, and had two children.
John specialized in Maritime Law at Bingham, Englar, Jones, and Houston, where he became a Partner. He enjoyed a fulfilling career there for over 30 years. He then left to start his own Law firm and continued to practice law until his death.
John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His passion in life was golf. There wasn’t a day he would miss getting out on the course. He enjoyed traveling to play and was a proud overseas member of the Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland.
John touched many lives and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Frances; his children and their spouses John Patrick and Tara-Anne; his granddaughter Mary Clare; his step-grandchildren Dylan, Maddox, and Charlotte; his sister, Gail Leibell and several nieces and nephews in the United States, Ireland, and England.
That’s it for this week and I hope to see you all again WHEN I am Out&About again…