Bethpage St. Patricks Day Grand Marshals

Jack, a dual Irish and American citizen, has been a dedicated Bethpage resident since 1981. A lifelong public servant, he served as Director of Emergency Services for New York Presbyterian Hospital and took part in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following 9/11. Deeply involved in the community, Jack helps coordinate the Veterans Banner Program, delivers Thanksgiving meals, supports the annual Veterans dinner, and assists with food drives for the St. Martin of Tours pantry. He spent more than 11 years coaching PAL soccer, teaching sportsmanship and respect to local youth.

Jack also supports the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, serves as an officer on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, is a member of the Knights of Central Park, and teaches community CPR and AED programs. His ongoing dedication truly embodies the spirit of “Bethpage Strong.”

Ray O’Donnell’s life has been defined by service. After attending Catholic school, he joined the Navy and completed two tours in Vietnam before beginning a 32-year career with the NYPD, rising to Detective Lieutenant and serving as a department spokesperson. Following retirement, he continued his leadership as Director of Security and Fire Safety for a major Manhattan high-rise.

A dedicated member of the Bethpage community, Ray has coached and refereed with the LI Junior Soccer League and Nassau County high school soccer, and he volunteers teaching English to new residents. A longtime supporter of the parade, he has played a key role in organizing the lineup each year, bringing calm, order, and expertise to the process. Ray and his wife, Diane, have been married for 49 years and are proud parents of two sons and grandparents of two.

Rose Marie Walker has represented Nassau County’s 17th Legislative District since 2009, serving communities across Hicksville, Massapequa, Bethpage, and surrounding areas. She currently chairs the Health and Social Services Committee and also serves on several key committees focused on veterans, seniors, minority affairs, and finance. Before joining the Legislature, Rose worked as a career counselor for the Family and Children’s Association and served in the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department. She previously spent six years as a Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman, where she championed initiatives supporting veterans, seniors, and environmental protection. A dedicated community leader, Rose has served on the Board of Education, PTA organizations, and multiple civic groups. She is a founding member of both the Hicksville Athletic Booster Club and the Bethpage–Central Park Kiwanis Club and has volunteered extensively with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Rose and her late husband, John, are the proud parents of Rob, Jen, Bryan, and Kristi, and grandparents to Aiden, Alexis, Lucas, Brady, and Madison.

Born and raised in Dublin, Gabe was educated by the Christian Brothers and the Carmelite Order before beginning his early career as an accordion teacher at the Sean Kearney Accordion School. He married his wife, Irene, in Dublin, and the two later emigrated to New York in 1977. After settling first in Jackson Heights and then in Bethpage, where he has lived since 1979, Gabe built a successful career as a Vice President of Sales in the plastic packaging industry. Deeply connected to the community, he and Irene raised two children who graduated from Bethpage schools, and he spent time co-coaching a local girls’ soccer team in the 1990s. A lifelong musician active in the Irish-American music scene since 1978, Gabe is also an engaged member of several Irish organizations, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 2 in Babylon and the Irish American Clubs of Plainview and Mineola.

John is a longtime Bethpage resident, a graduate of Bethpage High School and a member of the Bethpage Fire Department. John served in the New York City Police Department for five years. Following in his fathers footsteps, he transferred to FDNY (the New York City Fire Department). John’s son, Ryan, is currently a member of FDNY - that’s three generations of firefighters in FDNY. John is a member of the Bethpage Fire Department, currently serving as 1st Asst. Chief of the Bethpage Fire Department. He has been a trainer at the Nassau County Fire Academy. John is often invited to the Bethpage Schools to teach the children about fire safety. John is known for his dedicated service to the Bethpage community and, of course, he has been a regular in the Bethpage St. Patrick’s Parade.

William Scharen has been a Bethpage resident for 40 years and is retired from a long career in the insurance industry. Deeply dedicated to St. Martin of Tours parish, he served two terms on the Parish Council and spent four years as a coordinator for the Pre-Cana program. For the past two years, William has also served as President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 15 Michael F. Hogan, in Massapequa Park.

The Bethpage 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade proudly honors Thomas McKeon as Grand Marshal. Tom has lived in Bethpage for 36 years with his wife, Nancy, and their two daughters, and they are longtime parishioners of St. Martin of Tours. He currently serves as a Captain in the Bethpage Fire Department and is a decorated retiree of the New York City Department of Corrections. Tom is also an active member of the Emerald Society, continuing his strong commitment to service and community.

Kathy Brenton, daughter of Michael and Anne Vukovich, has been a proud Bethpage resident since 1958. Born in Manhattan and rooted in this community her entire life, she and her husband Douglas raised their three children—Bridget, Laurel, and Gregory—right here in town. For 34 years, Kathy has been a respected employee at GEICO, all while dedicating countless hours to volunteer work. She spent ten years as a 4-H Leader and served as President of the Charles Campagne PTA, always finding ways to support local families. In 1999, Kathy, alongside John Coumatos and the late Syl Nugent, founded the Bethpage St. Patrick’s Day Parade in honor of NYC Grand Marshal and Bethpage resident Connie Doolan. What began in her basement and spanned just a few blocks has grown into the vibrant, full-scale celebration the community cherishes today. With the help of devoted volunteers, Kathy has guided both the parade and its legendary after-party through years of growth, rain or shine.

Honored as Grand Marshal in 2016 and now a proud grandmother to two grandsons, Kathy’s commitment to Bethpage remains at the heart of everything she does.

Father Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R. led the 2015 Bethpage St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Rev. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R., pastor of St. Martin of Tours Church, receives the Grand Marshal’s sash after being chosen to lead the 2015 Bethpage St. Patrick’s Parade. Father Woods is a Brooklynite of Irish descent. His mother was from Flagmont, County Clare and his father was from Kilkanena, County Clare. He was ordained a Redemptorist in 1975. He has served as an educator, Provincial of the Baltimore Province and is an ongoing member of a mission team with Fr. John McGowan, C.Ss.R. They have given missions from the Caribbean to Ireland and all along the east coast of the United States. In 2010, after serving as Provincial for the northeast, Fr. Woods was assigned to be pastor of St. Martin of Tours Church.