First “GREEN LINE” Business Sponsor, Grand Marshals and Honoree Named For Eastchester's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

February 26, 2014

EASTCHESTER —The Eastchester Irish American Social Club (EIASC) today announced that Ragetté Real Estate, located in Eastchester and the oldest family-owned real estate firm in Westchester County, has been named the first ever “Green Line Sponsor” for the EIASC’s 2014 Eastchester St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In the days leading up to the parade, the green line is painted along the route, including White Plains Road, to help show and build community support for the day’s celebration of Irish culture.

“We are delighted to have Ragetté Real Estate step up as the first ever ‘Green Line Sponsor,’” said John Collins, president, EIASC. “It is especially important for the 10th of a generations-old family business, like Ragetté Real Estate, and their support for recognizing Irish heritage. We are grateful for their participation.”

“Ragetté Real Estate is proud to be the “Green Line Sponsor’ for Eastchester’s 10th Parade,” said Ralph R. Ragetté, Jr., Associate Broker, Ragetté Real Estate. “As we enter our 129th business, we understand the importance of highlighting traditions such as the Eastchester St. Patrick’s Parade to show the contributions of those of Irish descent to the vitality of our community.” Ragetté is the fifth generation involved in his family's real estate firm which was founded by his great great grandfather in 1885. More information about the firm can be found at http://www.ragette.com/.

In addition, Collins announced that local residents Tom Huvane and Jim Hendry as Grand Marshals and Fr. Eric Raaser as Parade Honoree. An official presentation of Parade Sashes to the Grand Marshals and their parade aides, and the Parade Honoree was held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at J.C. Fogarty's in Bronxville.

As a Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Eastchester St. Patrick’s Parade, Tom Huvane has guided this extraordinary event since its inception in 2004. Raised in Woodlawn in the Bronx, Tom and his family moved to Eastchester in 1997 and joined the EIASC in 1999. A Senior Vice President with UBS, Tom was recently named to the “Wall Street Top 50” by Irish America Magazine. A graduate of Fordham Prep and Fordham University, Tom is an active supporter of the Irish Arts Center in Manhattan and the N.Y. Irish Center in Queens. For his aides, he has chosen his wife, Bernadette Enright Huvane along with his son, Thomas, and daughter, Jackie.

Jim Hendry, Co-Founder and past Co-Chairman of the parade, is a former NYC Transit and NYPD Officer and currently a Nassau County Homicide detective. A resident of Eastchester since 1993, Jim has been active both civically and politically for the betterment of the community. He has coached numerous sports teams, served on the traffic advisory board and was Vice President of the EIASC for six years. Together with his wife, Anne Sullivan Hendry, Jim started the Hendry School of Irish Dance in Eastchester. With Anne being the Grand Marshal of the 2012 parade, he is proud to note that they are only the second couple to both serve as Grand Marshals. Jim has selected Joe Dooley, John Phelan, Steve Doherty and his son Dan as his aides.

Fr. Eric Raaser was born in Newark, NJ to Frederick and Clare (nee McGowan) Raaser and has roots in Counties Roscommon and Sligo. He attended St. Pius X College Seminary and St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoody and was ordained a priest in 1985 by John Cardinal O'Connor. Fr. Raaser has served numerous seminaries, schools and churches throughout the Bronx and became pastor of the Churches of Immaculate Conception & Assumption in anniversary year of the parade to have the involvement 2005.

The parade, sponsored by EIASC, will take place on Sunday Mar. 16, 2014. It will start at 3:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe and head north on Route 22, following the green line, to Lake Isle Park in Eastchester. EIASC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the importance of Irish culture in the community was founded in 1966 and consists of members from Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville and Crestwood. For more information, please visit http://www.eastchesterirish.org/.

 

Posted by Ralph Ragette Jr on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.