Wednesday, February 25, 2026 n www.TheObserver.com n Volume CXXXVIII, Issue No. 42 w
UNDER THE COVER Melham livid ECPO won’t charge man who doxxed him
MIGHTY QUINN
Page 4
BELLEVILLE n BLOOMFIELD n EAST NEWARK n HARRISON n KEARNY n LYNDHURST n NORTH ARLINGTON n NUTLEY
He’ll serve as parade grand marshal with deputies Conlon & McGirr-Murray By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.
I
kc@theobserver.com
n a few weeks, the United Irish Associations of West Hudson will march along in the big parade from Harrison Avenue, to Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard to Kearny Avenue. And this is a special one, without question. The first parade stepped off 50 years ago around this time. And equally special, the parade’s grand marshal will celebrate his 30th year as the president of the association — which is responsible for putting on perhaps the most important event all year long in Kearny, Harrison and East Newark. Selected to serve this year’s parade as Grand Marshal is Kevin Quinn. He will be joined by two Deputy Grand Marshals — Michael Conlon and Ellen McGirr-Murray. Before we get to the parade’s 50th anniversary, let’s take a look at the three honorees first.
Photo by the United Irish
Long-time United Irish Associations of West Hudson President Kevin Quinn, right, will serve as grand marshal of the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He is seen here with, from left, Deputy Grand Marshal Michael Conlon, Patrick ‘Jr.’ O’Donnell (former grand marshal) and Deputy Grand Marshal Ellen McGirr-Murray
Kevin Quinn Quinn was proudly born to an Irish-Scottish American family in 1961, to mum Patricia and dad Rocky. He has a brother,
Dennis, and a sister, Patti Rowe. Quinn attended St. Cecilia Grammar School and then went on to Queen of Peace High School, North Arlington, and attended college at SUNY-Albany.
In 1986, he married his wife, Michele Anne Corey-Quinn. Then, 21 years later, Kevin and Michele welcomed their son, Patrick Liam Quinn. His work with the United Irish
has been extensive, including stints as a delegate, treasurer and parade coordinator. But it was in 1996 when he assumed the role of president, one he has held for the last 30 years. He was also on the board at the Kearny Irish American club for several years. Quinn was a Kearny Little League and Hudson CYO basketball coach for many years. He is also a member of Montclair’s Police Athletic League’s exec board — and previously served as its president. For 27 years, Quinn successfully worked for Verizon, retiring in 2023, after leading teams of as many as 200 employees. He also worked several other positions and was responsible for “developing new technologies” for the telecommunications giant. Michael Patrick Conlon Conlon is a Son of Erin. His paternal great-great grandparents, Michael and Bridget Con-
See PARADE, Page 14
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