By Paddy McCarthy
Again I’m starting my Out&About the same way I finished up last week as it has been a very sad year when I hear of some people that I have known for a very long time that have passed away from all different reasons of health to meet their God in Heaven just like the wonderful Malachy McCourt, who was also a great of Adrian Flannelly. Yes, I do believe that there is a life there after and I am not telling anybody that doesn’t want to believe it as that is the way it is.
I better stop now as I want to continue with my Out&About to talk about a wonderful man Adrian Flannelly who passed away early last week and was a pillar in the Irish community. County Mayo native Adrian Flannelly, who hosted the longest-running Irish radio program in the US, has passed away. Adrian Flannelly presented his own radio show, the Adrian Flannelly Show, across America for 54 years before retiring from broadcasting last year. As I pointed out last week, he had had a long period of declining health.
Born in Attymass, County Mayo, in 1942, Adrian emigrated to the USA in 1959 at the age of seventeen. He was a member of one of New York’s best-known political families. His uncle, Paul O’Dwyer was a renowned civil rights activist and former City Council President from 1974 to 1977. Another uncle, Bill O’Dwyer was the 100th Mayor of New York from 1946 to 1950, and the first Catholic Mayor of New York.
I just spoke to Adrian’s cousin Brian O’Dwyer, who is also well known in the Irish community and he was so kind to tell me that Adrian’s body will be going back to Ireland as it was his wish to be buried there in Ireland. I have been inundated for information on the removal from people who wanted to know what were the arrangements for the burial so now you have it.
I am been told that probably in mid-August there will be a memorial for Adrian as I know so many would like to pay their respects to him and also to his family. I have to thank Brian O’Dwyer who, as I said, is an American lawyer, activist, and active member of the Irish-American community.
Brian currently serves as the Chair of the New York State Gaming Commission and a member of the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Brian spent most of his legal career helping labor organizations and supporting the rights of workers and immigrants.
You can see that this is why I want you all to know that Adrian Flannelly was such a brilliant man on what he had done on his radio show to make it one of the most popular Irish radio shows in North America that will be missed forever, RIP.
It is not to often that I do something like this in my Out&About column and repeat most of what I have been telling you about this great man who I personally got to know since I immigrated to New York from Cork. If I was going on and on about this legend then this was my chance to show my respect for this great man as he will be solely missed by his family, friends, his radio program listeners and thousands and thousands more as his popularity was beyond all expectations from all walks of life in entertainment, political, business and a whole lot of personalities who will want as I know to pay their respects to this legend of a man, who will never be forgotten.
This notice came to my attention from the United Irish Counties that, “Sincere condolences are extended to Patrice Buckley and the Buckley, Brogan, Collins and Jabbour Families on the sudden and tragic passing of their cherished sister, daughter, niece, aunt and cousin, Yvonne Renee Buckley Brogan, on Friday July 26, just a week after her 50th birthday. The immediate past president of the County Kerry Association of New York, Patrice is a devoted delegate and officer to the UICANY. Heartfelt condolences also (and especially) to Brian and Annabelle on the loss of their beloved wife and mother.”
The arrangements are as follows: Wake: Wednesday 31 August 4 pm to 8 pm at Pelham Funeral Home (64 Lincoln Avenue. Pelham, New York 10803; www.pelhamfuneral.com), Funeral Mass: Thursday 1 August 10:45 am at St. Barnabas Church (409 East 241st Street, at the corner of Martha Avenue in the Bronx; www.stbarnabasbronx.org). Mass can also be viewed on their Facebook page at facebook.com/stbarnabascatholicchurch.
Thank you all for your understanding that I have focused my Out&About on a great friend who also is also legend Adrian Flannelly, RIP.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once again…