Life Members

Michael “Mike” Rice — 1973

The founder and first President, Rice led the Division from its organization on October 6, 1946 through 1948, then served as Suffolk County AOH President from 1949 through 1952. His practical generosity included the kitchen equipment associated with the first Hall. Together with Jack Farrelly, he introduced Father Virgil Patrick Power to the Order in 1958, beginning a relationship that shaped the Division’s spiritual life for decades.

John J. “Jack” Farrelly — 1974

An original member and President in 1957–1958, Farrelly gave long service as Treasurer and helped raise the funds that made a permanent home possible. He was elected Treasurer of the newly organized Corporation in January 1964. His work also extended to Saffron as manager and treasurer. His friendship and cooperation with Mike Rice joined the Division’s financial, social and spiritual foundations.

John Flaherty — 1997

Flaherty joined Division 2 in 1957 and served as President in 1965–1966. A founding Saffron member, he was also among the twelve Corporation directors elected in January 1964. As Corporation chairman during the purchase of 27 Locust Avenue, he helped turn the membership’s long search for a home into the Hall around which Division life would grow.

James Hayes — 1998

Hayes served as Division President in 1984–1985 and carried his work into New York State leadership. By December 1996 he was State President; at the July 1997 convention he was elected to a further two-year term. His National Life Membership followed in 1998, linking local leadership with service to Hibernians throughout the state.

John Dooley — 1999

Division President in 1991–1992, Dooley became Suffolk County AOH President in June 1993. His contributions also appear behind the scenes of the Hibernian Players: the surviving New Gossoon program credits him with set design and lighting. During his presidency, Bob Lee’s historical display brought Irish patriots and heroes into the Hall, another expression of the Division’s educational purpose.

Patrick Shannon — 2001

Shannon served three years as Corporation chairman, concluding in 1993, and later became Division President in 2009. His National Life Membership preceded his Division presidency by eight years. His record is a reminder that years of work for the Hall and its members could form a substantial Hibernian career before a man took the President’s chair.

Leo Murphy — 2004

President in 1986–1987 and later Corporation chairman, Murphy helped create Then & Now and took part in the Hibernian Players. He preserved photographs, programs, tickets and other objects that now allow members to see earlier generations at work and at play. The construction photographs, band photographs and theatrical programs reproduced in this history owe much to that care. His later legacy celebrations brought personal recollections, family words and Division memories together.

John Keating — 2006

Keating was one of the original Saffron pipers in 1962 and made his Major Degree in 1965. The Hibernian Players programs place him in both The New Gossoon and Moll, illustrating the overlap between music, theater and membership. He celebrated his ninetieth birthday on June 23, 2020; the Division celebrated him again in its 2021 gatherings. After his death, Saffron remembered him in February 2025 as one of the men who had been there at the beginning.

John Rattigan — 2007

Rattigan served as Division President in 2001–2002 and continued in financial leadership, appearing as Treasurer on the incoming 2014 executive board. His service also connected the Division with Saffron and with the charitable work of the wider Hibernian family. He was among the five National Life Members honored together in July 2021. Pat Rattigan’s own National Life Membership and later County presidency show the breadth of the family’s Hibernian involvement.

Robert “Bob” O’Shea — 2008

President in 1977–1978, O’Shea remained involved in the Division’s property and lounge work long after his term. His name belongs both to the Saffron tradition and to the practical work of maintaining and improving the Hall. In July 2021, he joined Keating, Rattigan, Murphy and Biesty at the Division’s National Life Members luncheon.

John Biesty — 2009

President during the fiftieth-anniversary years of 1995–1996, Biesty urged members to preserve the faces of those who had led the Division through “The Great Picture Hunt.” He later served as Corporation chairman and helped steer the lounge and property expansion. His writing, organizational work and recollections preserved the personal connections behind the Division’s buildings and ceremonies.

Gerard “Jerry” Belmont — 2026

Belmont joined in 2001, became Vice President under Jim Dawes, and served as Division President in 2012–2013. He chaired the 2016 anniversary gala, was honored as Hibernian of the Year that year, and became Suffolk County AOH President in 2017. His continuing financial and organizational work, his service as a 2025 New York City parade Aide, and his 2026 Life Membership belong to the same long record of participation described in the main history.

Frederick Stein and Jim Sullivan

Frederick J. Stein Sr., President in 1979–1980, was remembered as a Life Member, founder of the Tara Court Major Degree Team and retired Saffron Color Sergeant. Having joined Saffron in 1967, he worked on its Music Committee, helped create the band logo with Rheingold Brewing Company, helped finance the band flag and organized fundraising connected with the first Ireland trip. His historical-photo collecting in 1995 helped prepare the Division’s fiftieth-anniversary history.

Jim Sullivan was remembered by President Bill Corrigan in June 2018 as a Past President and National Life Member. That remembrance belongs on the honors roll alongside the dated awards above. The Division’s presidency register preserves two separate entries—James Sullivan, 1970–1971, and James D. Sullivan, 1997–1998—and retains each man’s own portrait and term.

Life Membership in the Ladies’ Hibernian family

Pat Rattigan received National Life Membership, acknowledged in January 2014, and became Suffolk County LAOH President in 2015. Her continuing work with Then & Now carried fellowship forward into 2026. Kay Wisher was remembered in January 2016 as a Life Member, Past President and Past County President. A charter member of the Suffolk County Celtic Degree Team, she portrayed Queen Erin when that team formed. Their service belongs beside the men’s honors in the wider story of the Division 2 Hibernian family.