Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn, a proud Brooklyn native, is the son of a retired NYPD Captain father and a registered nurse and schoolteacher mother. After completing his education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help elementary school and Xavier High School, Dan pursued criminal justice in college, inspired by his father’s legacy. He commenced his career as a New York City Police Officer in July 1999, initially assigned to the 17th Precinct in Manhattan. In 2002, he transferred to the NYPD Intelligence Division, where he provided security for Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

In 2005, Dan joined the FDNY, steadily advancing through the ranks. Beginning as a Firefighter at Ladder 114 in Sunset Park, he later ascended to the position of Fire Marshal. In this role, he led numerous intricate investigations into fatal and suspicious fires. His dedication to investigative work earned him promotions to Lieutenant and Supervising Fire Marshal. As a Supervising Fire Marshal, Dan oversaw the Special Investigation Unit, a distinguished task force handling high-profile arson cases. In 2017, he was sworn in as a Task Force Officer with the ATF. Dan was also named Investigator of the Year by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation in 2018.

Dan’s outstanding investigative efforts have garnered him 38 departmental awards. Notably, he received the FDNY Deputy Commissioner Christine R. Godek Medal for uncovering a far-reaching criminal conspiracy resulting in charges of arson, kidnapping, assault, and robbery, following a fire that left 10 Firefighters seriously injured. The lengthy investigation led to the incarceration of four violent felony offenders.

On April 1, 2021, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro appointed Dan as the Chief Fire Marshal of the City of New York, a role he continues to serve in. Despite his professional achievements, Dan remains a lifelong Bay Ridge resident, a devoted husband to his wife Courtney (a lifelong Bay Ridge resident and funeral director at McLoughlin Funeral Home which is owned and operated by her father Jay Sessa), and a loving father to his two sons, Declan and Gunnar who attend P.S. 185. He is honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year's Bay Ridge Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

James Hart III was raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  He is the son of James and Nydia Hart.  James’ Irish lineage comes from his father’s side. James is a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (O.L.P.H.) in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  He attended elementary school at OLPH and Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  He studied Business Administration at the College of Staten Island.

His studies led to a career in finance, working with H.S.B.C., Bank of America, and Citibank.  In 2012, James had the opportunity to join the New York City Police Department (NYPD), his life-long dream.  He works in the Transit Bureau, keeping NYC’s public transportation safe.  He is a proud member of the NYPD Emerald Society. James is the Treasurer of the A.O.H. Division 12 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He joined the Division in 2012 with a goal of community engagement and outreach.  James was an Aide in the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade in 2019.  He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4257.

James has been married to his wife Connie (née Cercone) for 10 years.  They share a love of travelling the world.  They are working their way through one of their travel bucket lists: to visit all of the Major League Baseball stadiums.  They have seen 18 with plans for more soon!

Michael Fitzpatrick was born in Borough Park to Jack and Anna Fitzpatrick along with his siblings John, Elizabeth, and Brendan. Michael’s paternal grandfather, James, came to America from County Offaly and his paternal grandmother, Catherine (McBride), came over from County Donegal in 1923.

Michael attended OLPH Grammar School where he played basketball and baseball. Michael attended Xaverian High School (as did both his brothers) where he enjoyed playing intramural sports and eventually made the Varsity B basketball team. Working at Alan’s Card Shop on 86th Street he would meet his future wife, Theresa. A graduate of SUNY Stony Brook, they raised their sons Anthony and Ryan. Michael coached the boys in baseball and basketball throughout their days at St. Anselm, and they followed in his footsteps and attended Xaverian.

Michael has been a New York State Court Officer in Brooklyn Criminal Court for the past 25 years and is a proud member of the NYS Courts Emerald Society, recently being elected as their 2nd Vice President. He has proudly marched in many of the borough’s St Patrick’s Day parades, but his best memory of the marches was carrying the Irish flag down 5 th Avenue in the NYC parade in 2022.

Tressa Deady - Kabbez is the youngest of seven children born to Eamon and Theresa Deady, (nee Casey). Eamon was an award-winning Irish football player in Brandon, County Kerry who emigrated to the United States in 1947. Tressa’s maternal grandmother came to America in 1913 from Abbeyfeale, also in County Kerry.

At age 18, Tressa lived with her two sisters and worked for her brother at the Canteena, a place that would change her life and create memories that she would cherish forever. While working there, she obtained both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in teaching and taught middle school for a few years before her daughter Renee was born, followed by her sons, Jackson and Daniel. While home raising her children, she put her teaching experience to good use and became the ultimate volunteer. Tressa served as PTA president of PS 185 for eight years, served on the School Leadership Team and was among the first set of Learning Leaders to volunteer at schools. Tressa spent her days running carnivals, book sales, movie nights, and fundraisers which benefited the children and supported the school.

Then, when her children became involved in playing sports for St. Patrick’s, Tressa was right beside them. She stepped into the role of Head Coach for the St. Patrick’s/ St. Ephrem’s girls swim team, was an assistant coach to the boy’s swim team and supervised the Learn to Swim program for young children. Under her guidance as head coach, over 100 girls each season swam their way to quite a few CYO championships.

As her children grew and attended fantastic Bay Ridge schools; PS 185, Visitation Academy, Bay Ridge Prep, Genesis, and Xaverian, Tressa found herself involved and volunteering at all of them. The school environment made her realize it was time to return to teaching and today, she is very proud to be a 4th grade Math and Science teacher at PS 186 in Bensonhurst.

William Gillen traces his Irish roots to County Donegal, Ireland, where his great-grandfather lived. William’s father, John, was born in Greenock, Scotland and came to New York at the age of five. John’s family, which included his father William, his mother Margaret “Peggy”, his older brother Bill, younger sister Bernadette, and younger brothers Brian and Vincent, eventually settled in Bay Ridge, where John attended Our Lady of Angels. It was there that he met William’s mother, Ann Marie Montalto. Ann Marie is also one of five siblings and ensures that William is proud of his Italian heritage as well!

William grew up in Dyker Heights and like both parents he is one of five children, with siblings Margaret, John, Marykate, and Joanna. William met his wife, Stacy, one quiet, intimate Thanksgiving Eve at the Kettle Black, and together they have two sons, John “Jack” Joseph and William Salvatore. They now live in Dyker Heights next door to William’s mother and his childhood home.

 William attended St. Ephrem Catholic Academy, where his son Jack is now in kindergarten. He is a graduate of Xaverian High School and was a founding member of the Xaverian Pipes and Drums Corp. He has been marching in the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade annually ever since, first with Xaverian and now with his current band, the Knights of Columbus, of the Columbus Counsel #126.

 William is an attorney with a private practice in Bay Ridge, which he established in 2009. His practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Estate Administration and Real Estate. He is also a proud member and Past President of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, and is affectionately known as one of Bay Ridge’s “neighborhood attorneys”. William takes great pride in serving the community where he grew up and continues to call home.

Karen Prizzi (nee Forsyth) was born and raised in Bay Ridge. As the oldest child of Barbara and David Forsyth she grew up with her three siblings David, Meg, and Suzanne. Her family roots on her father’s side began in Limerick, Ireland with both of her grandparents Mary and Edward.

They had met and were engaged in Limerick, then immigrated to America in the mid 1920’s where they were married at Holy Name parish in Park Slope. Karen also has Irish roots from her mother’s side which stems from her Great Grandmother Hannah O’Connor who left Dublin to come to America in the early 1920’s.

Karen attended St. Patrick’s elementary school, P.S 104, Fontbonne Hall Academy, and St. Francis College. She has been a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick’s parish where she has been a volunteer since 1974 until present. She has taught twirling, coached CYO swimming, volleyball, softball, and basketball. She’s also had the honor of chaperoning young adults on World Youth Day trips in 2016, 2019 and 2023.

Karen worked at Mudge, Rose, Guthrie, Alexander & Ferdon for many years as an executive assistant. Later, she worked closer to home as an educator working in Early Intervention as an Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapist. For the past 10 years she has been working as Senior Administrative Assistant at A & E Real Estate Holdings LLC. Karen is also the Compliance Officer for Citadel Security Agency since 2017.

 Karen is a loving and proud mother to her three daughters Kristin, Kaitlin and Victoria. She is also the proud grandmother of Timothy James, her pride and joy!

The son of Patrick and Josie Lennon of Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Michael Lennon resides in Bay Ridge with his wife of 29 years and their four children.

As a child, “Mike’s” home parish was Our Lady of Angels and after he graduated from OLA’s Grammar School, he attended Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. A strong advocate of his faith and the importance of Catholic education, Mike enrolled all four of his children in Saint Anselm School. They all also attended and graduated from Catholic High Schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan. While ensuring that his children received their educations, Mike was often called upon to volunteer in various capacities including coaching, fundraising, special events, chaperoning, and security.

Also, as a proponent of service to his community, Mike served in the United States Navy and is a veteran of the first Gulf War. Two of his children have followed in his footsteps and are also serving in the military while simultaneously attending college.

After serving his country Mike joined the NYPD, from which he has just recently retired having spent his entire career assigned to Midtown North. Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Broadway provided Mike with a million stories (as the saying goes) and even more fond memories and friends. As he served the community as a cop, St. Patrick’s Cathedral served him with a home away from home and will always be one of the fondest parts of his career. He proudly wore his father’s badge number, #22876 throughout his career.

Mike is a member of are the NYPD Emerald Society, the NYPD Holy Name Society, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Div 12, and Thomas Dongan Council 1251 Knights of Columbus.

Karen A. Puckhaber was born on March 11, 1959, in Park Slope Brooklyn to William & Mary (nee Clark) Zambri.  She has 7 brothers & sisters, 24 nieces & nephews, and 27 great nieces & nephews! Karen received her sacraments in Saint John the Evangelist Church and Bay Ridge has been her home since 1990, where she is a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Parish.

Karen attended John Jay High School, went on to work on Wall Street, and presently works at the Law Office of Angela Scarlato & Associates. Karen loves to volunteer, and works many hours alongside her husband, Chris, for a committee helping with the cleanup after Super Storm Sandy in Red Hook, Staten Island, Coney Island, and the Rockaways.  They have also volunteered to feed the less fortunate on Thanksgiving, as well as on the local political campaigns of John Quaglione and NY State Senator Marty Golden.

In 2017 Karen became a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 22 in Bay Ridge, and in 2019 she was asked to join the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Karen would like to extend special thanks to her husband, Chris (AKA Crabby), for always being by her side to help volunteer even though he’s not officially a member of the Committee.

As a proud Irish American with dual citizenship, Thomas McDonagh is honored and thrilled to serve as a Deputy Marshal for the esteemed 2024 Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade. His roots stem from his mother, born in Athboy, Co. Meath. In 1958, Linda Gaffney immigrated here with her mother, six sisters, and two baby brothers on the Corinthia Ship, which sailed to New York harbor to meet two older sisters and her father. His father Mickey, who immigrated from Roundstone, Connemara, Galway, in 1971, epitomized the American dream by establishing successful businesses in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The McDonagh legacy includes bars like Top Brass, Currans, The Rob Roy, and The Galway Arms. Thomas's uncle, Paddy McDonagh, owned local bars, Paddy's Pub, The Cove, and Penny Lane.

Thomas's education started in Sunset Park by attending OLPH for elementary school, McKinley Junior High School, and ended in Bay Ridge by graduating from Xavierian High School in the class of '98. He attended Oneonta State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. During his college years, Thomas held careers in various trades, such as NYC's Local 608 Carpenters Union, from '97 to '03. He trained as an apprentice electrician at Patriot Lighting, owned by his cousin Pete "the electrician" Swiontak, who serves customers in the Bay Ridge community. Before that, he also bartended at local pubs such as the Irish Haven, Green Isle, and Snook Inn.

Thomas's absolute dream was to serve the City of New York, and he has fulfilled this by becoming an integral part of the City of New York's workforce for nearly 20 years, serving in the Sanitation Department since '04 and the FDNY since '05. He is a senior Firefighter in Ladder Co. 131, "The happy hookers" in Redhook Brooklyn, and has been a union delegate for a decade.

Thomas is most proud of his Family, being the oldest of four. His siblings are Michael (Jackie), Brendan (Kara), and Caity (Dave). he is an uncle to Reagan and Mickey McDonagh, as well as David Doherty III. Growing up, he actively participated in Irish athletics, engaging in Gaelic football for the Celtics in the Bronx alongside his two brothers and Rugby in college. Thomas's personal life is equally rich. He is married to the love of his life, Danielle McDonagh, the Clinical Coordinator for Radiation Therapy Education and Research at Mount Sinai Hospital.

They will celebrate 13 years of marriage and share a beautiful daughter, Mackenzie, in the 4th grade. Thomas takes pride in supporting Mackenzie's swimming endeavors and academic achievements, consistently earning straight As. 2015, the McDonagh family was honored as the Family of the Year. Thomas has strong familial ties to public service, with relatives who proudly served as former deputies, namely Mary (Mamie), Eugene, Erik Manning, and Tracy McDonagh Joerrs. Being a first-generation Irish immigrant, Thomas is honored to serve his community alongside family members, many of whom are public servants. His commitment to the greater city of New York extends beyond his professional career, embodying the spirit of the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Joe & Janice Martinez are devoted members of St. Patrick’s Parish, and together they have 6 children.

Joe has enjoyed a successful career at Approved Oil, Janice as a Medical billing specialist, and now a Teacher’s Assistant at St. Patrick’s Catholic Academy.

Joe & Janice have been volunteering and giving of themselves since 1988 at St. Patrick’s, doing everything from Joe coaching every sport and Janice volunteering in every possible way, from lunch duty, the theater club, the soccer program and volleyball team, fundraising, and she is affectionately known to the students as “Pizza Mom.”

If something is needed, Joe & Janice are always there to help in every way possible.