By Jaimie Julia Winters
The United Irish Associations of West Hudson will celebrate a milestone this year as it hosts the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 15. Stepping off at 1 p.m. on Harrison Avenue in Harrison, the parade will travel north along Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard before concluding with a review in front of Kearny Town Hall on Kearny Avenue.
Leading this year’s celebration of Irish heritage and community pride is Grand Marshal Kevin Quinn, joined by Deputy Grand Marshals Ellen McGirr-Murray and Michael Patrick Conlon. More than 50 groups — including pipe bands, marching bands, Irish dance schools, and local community organizations — will march through Harrison, East Newark, and Kearny, continuing a proud tradition that has brought generations together to honor Irish culture in West Hudson.
Grand Marshal, Kevin Quinn
Kevin Quinn was born in 1961 to Patricia and “Rocky” Quinn and raised in an Irish-Scottish American family alongside his brother Dennis and sister Patti Rowe. He attended St. Cecilia Grammar School, then Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, before continuing his studies at SUNY Albany.
In 1986, Kevin married Michele Anne Corey-Quinn. Twenty-one years later, the couple welcomed their son, Patrick Liam Quinn.
Quinn has had a long and dedicated involvement with the United Irish Associations of West Hudson. Over the years he has served as a delegate, treasurer, and parade coordinator. In 1996, he became president — a position he has proudly held for the past 30 years. He also served for several years on the board of the Kearny Irish American Club.
Deeply committed to youth and community service, Quinn spent many years coaching Kearny Little League and Hudson CYO basketball. He is also a member of the executive board of the Montclair Police Athletic League, where he previously served as president.
Professionally, Quinn spent 27 years with Verizon, retiring in 2023 after leading teams of as many as 200 employees and contributing to the development of new telecommunications technologies.
Deputy Grand Marshal, Michael Patrick Conlon
Michael Patrick Conlon is a proud Son of Erin whose Irish roots trace back to County Mayo and County Kilkenny. His paternal great-great-grandparents, Michael and Bridget Conlon (née Bierne), emigrated from County Mayo, while his maternal great-great-grandparents, Kyren and Maria Watson (née Walsh), came from County Kilkenny. The Watson family settled on Warren Street in Harrison, and the Conlons on Halsey Street in Newark, where Michael worked as a tailor and Bridget as a seamstress. The Conlons later moved to East Newark.
Michael was born at Clara Maass Medical Center to Thomas and Regina Conlon (née Snodgrass) and was raised in Harrison. He attended Holy Cross School and graduated from Queen of Peace High School before earning his degree from Rutgers University, where he met his future wife, Martha.
A lifelong supporter of scouting and community service, Michael has been a volunteer and mentor for many years. His children, Brianna and Aidan, are also active in scouting. He served as Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 402 and Faithful Navigator of the Msgr. Doane Assembly, Fourth Degree, in Harrison. One of his most meaningful volunteer efforts is the annual Thanksgiving meal delivery program, where he and his children help prepare and deliver hundreds of meals to families in need.
Michael began his career in federal law enforcement in 1998 with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and later served as a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations. His assignments included New York City, the Hudson Valley, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Newark, along with overseas duty in Dubai and Doha. He retired in 2024 as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge and now serves as Vice President of Safety and Security for Extended Stay America, overseeing security for more than 550 hotels across 44 states.
A strong supporter of Irish culture and music, Michael has played bagpipes with the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band since 2012 and previously with the MacMillan United Pipe Band. He also founded the Homeland Security Investigations Pipe Band, which performs at official Department of Homeland Security events including Police Week ceremonies and commemorative services.
Michael has long been involved with the United Irish Associations of West Hudson, serving on the parade committee for nearly 20 years and as Parade Coordinator from 2006 to 2016. Since returning to New Jersey, he continues to support the organization, including piping for the Grand Marshal and Deputies at the annual dinner dance and parade.
Deputy Grand Marshal, Ellen McGirr-Murray
Ellen McGirr-Murray was born on November 6, 1962, at West Hudson Hospital in Kearny and was raised in Harrison with her siblings Carol, Kathleen, Theresa, Bobby (late), and Jimmy, along with cousins Mary Bridget and Willie. She attended Holy Cross School, Washington Middle School, and graduated from Harrison High School in 1980.
She later graduated as valedictorian from Katherine Gibbs School in Upper Montclair in 1985 and worked for several CEOs, presidents, and chief operating officers throughout New Jersey. In 2004, she returned to school to pursue a second career in medical assisting at RETS Institute, graduating with the Highest Academic Achievement Award. She went on to work in several specialties including orthopedics, pulmonology, dermatology, and primary care.
Ellen and her husband, John Murray, raised three children — Lauren, Andrew, and Adam — and she is now a proud grandmother to Jordan, Madison, Dyson, and Delaney. Her children were active in sports including cheerleading, soccer, Pop Warner football, lacrosse, baseball, and basketball, and Ellen rarely missed a game while also volunteering for booster clubs and fundraising efforts.
Ellen joined the Harrison/East Newark Elks Ladies Auxiliary in 1993 and later became a full member when women were permitted to join. She also became a member of the Irish American Ladies Auxiliary of Kearny in 2003.
In 2005, she was delegated to the United Irish Associations of West Hudson as a trustee and continues to serve today as a delegate from the Harrison/East Newark Elks. She has volunteered at countless events and fundraisers over the years.
From her first year with the United Irish, Ellen served as a Deputy Adjutant for the West Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade under Parade Adjutant Mike Conlon. When he stepped down, she became Parade Adjutant and Coordinator, making history as the first and only woman to hold the position. After five years, she passed the role to the next generation, mentoring current Parade Adjutant Brian Wiltrout.
Known affectionately as the “Irish Princess” of her family, Ellen proudly celebrates her heritage. Her maternal grandparents were from County Armagh and Liverpool, England, while her paternal grandparents emigrated from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.
Photo: Mike Conlon, Ellen McGirr-Murary , and Kevin Quinn, (left to right).
Jaimie Julia Winters chronicles the stories that shape New Jersey communities as a freelance writer for Kearny Life and Community Sentinel and former editor at The South Bergenite, Ridgewood News, Community News, The Record, and Jersey Catholic.
