By Paddy McCarthy
It has been a very sad week here in New York with a lot of bad news. I just got back from Ireland on Tuesday evening at 8 pm and I will tell you about that later. I am going to start by talking about a pillar of a man in the Irish community that I’d known for many years, John Browne. When I first came to New York in 1982 John was introduced to me by another great Cork man, my friend Joe Murphy, RIP.
John was such a nice man to meet as he made you feel at home and, as I had only just arrived from Ireland, he made me so much at ease and helped me to adjust to the way of living in New York. I met all his family from day one and I can say only this, they are just wonderful and so helpful not just to me but to anyone who crossed their paths.
He was a gentle giant in the Irish community and never said no to anybody who needed his help and from the bottom of my heart I thank him for so much for all his advice. Thank you John, rest in peace as you deserve to sit on the right-hand side of the Heavenly Father himself.
The Cork Association sent me a beautiful “In Memoriam ~ John J. Browne” that you can now read about here: “The Officers and Members of the Co. Cork BP&P Association celebrate the life and legacy of Past President, John J. Browne: proud Cork man, well known and highly respected proprietor of the Grandstand Bar and Restaurant in Elmhurst. John departed this life on Thursday, February 10, 2022. He would have been 83 years on July 22nd.
“John was born and raised in Kanturk, Co. Cork, the second oldest of nine siblings. John attended Kanturk National School and Colaiste Treasa. Growing up he enjoyed playing hurling and Gaelic football and was a member of the Kanturk Hurling Club team that reached the County Final in 1957. That same year, John, like many of his fellow Corkonians set out on that well-trodden emigrant path to the United States. John served in the US Armed Forces as part of the 3rd Aviation Company of the 3rd Infantry Division (1960-62). Following his discharge John married Christina Hayes from Limerick. After his military service, John worked for five years as a manager at King Cullen Supermarkets and subsequently moved to UPS where he was the Union Shop Steward.
“In 1970 John took over as manager of the Bliss Tavern in Sunnyside. In 1983 he made the decision to go into his own business. His first establishment was the Cork Lounge on Greenpoint Avenue in Long Island City and in 1988 opened the Grandstand Restaurant and turned it into a thriving business.
“John was a dedicated member of the Co. Cork Association for 46 years; he chaired numerous committees and held many offices including President in 1997. He was a member of the committee who acquired the Cork Building in LIC in 1983. He was also a great supporter of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement from its founding at the Cork Association in 1987 as well the Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC), the NY Irish Center and the Cork Football and Hurling Clubs. John embodied the goals and aspirations of the founding members of our Association – benevolence, patriotism and protection. As a result, John embraced many Irish Causes. Numerous Irish organizations and individuals were the beneficiaries of John’s benevolence and hospitality. The Grandstand was often the first stop for many Corkonians looking for employment and housing. John never failed to assist them.
“We are proud of John’s legacy and his contribution to our Association and to the Irish American Community. In addition to his being celebrated as 1983 Corkman of the Year, John was honored by many Irish organizations including the Cork Gaelic Football Club, the Dublin Society and EIIC. We are grateful for John’s friendship and leadership in our Association. We extend our condolences to his wife Christina, their children, Denis, Mark, John (deceased), Michael and Maureen, their eight grandchildren, C.J., Kyle, Nicholas, Connor, Reilly, Logan Browne, and Andrew and Ryan DeNicola and two great grandchildren, Colin and Kaylee. Sincerest condolences also to John’s siblings, Billy, Michael, Tadg, Anthony and Marian who share in John’s loss, but joyful in his reunion with his departed son John and his siblings, Christy, James and Denis. Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday @ 9:30am, Co. Cork BP&P Association – Martina O’Dowd, President Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Now you can see the great respect everyone had for John Browne who will never be forgotten. All of us here at The Irish Examiner USA send our heartfelt condolences to the Browne family.
As I mentioned last week I went to Ireland on Wednesday last for a few days to take care of some arrangements as my daughter Christina is getting married in Youghal, County Cork and did not get back until Tuesday evening and was not home till 10 pm.
I should have been home on Monday but I missed the flight as I had to get a test before I got on the plane in Dublin. To add to my problems, I left my phone in the Metropole Hotel in Cork; now remember I am at Dublin airport and all my information is on it so you can imagine how I felt with all that was going on. I had two choices, to stay in Dublin with no phone or get a bus back down to Cork, a 4-hour drive. So I decided to head back to Cork retrieve my phone and stay another night. Back on the bus next morning at 9 am it was another four hours to Dublin Airport so you can see all the fun I had, can you can imagine it? Not good.
I also just got news on another friend, Steve Walsh, who built the new Nevada Smiths from start to finish and was just one nice person to meet, RIP.
Finally here are a couple of events that should be supported. The 2022 Irishman of the Year Dinner is just days away. I hope to see you at Antun’s (96-43 Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village) on Wednesday, February 23rd and good luck to all the entrants of the 300-club raffle.
The 2022 NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal and Aides Reception will also be held at at Antun’s on Sunday, February 27th. Make sure to get your tickets soon.
See you all next week when I am Out&About again…