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Letter to Editor - Eastchester Grand Marshal For St. Pat's Parade

EASTCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Eastchester Daily Voice accepts signed and original letters to the editor up to 350 words. To submit your letter, email Eastchester@dailyvoice.com.

Sean Mackin named as Grand Marshall of Eastchester's St. Patrick's Day parade.

Sean Mackin named as Grand Marshall of Eastchester's St. Patrick's Day parade.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

It has been said that “St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time—a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” 

It is also time to celebrate all things Irish—the arts, food, literature, music and especially the contributions of Irish Americans.

Sean Mackin, a longtime Eastchester resident, and proud Irish American epitomizes the spirit of giving and service. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to community and country, Mackin has been named Grand Marshal for the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade sponsored by the Eastchester Irish-American Social Club. 

The parade, on Sunday, March 12, steps off from Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe at 3 p.m. and travel along White Plains Road.

Born in Belfast, County Antrim, Mackin became a key voice in the Irish peace process working with elected officials in Washington D.C., to promote peace and justice in Northern Ireland. 

His efforts began at an early age when he joined the Irish republican movement, was imprisoned several times, even tortured— without charges ever being brought. 

He immigrated with his family to the U.S.A in 1983 and after a long deportation fight with British became an American citizen.

Forging a path for himself and his family in his new country, Mackin adopted the true American way and through hard work became a successful businessman as owner of Preferred Mechanical Inc. and Preferred Sprinkler Corp.

In addition to his success in business, Mackin is a humanitarian and advocate for Irish-American causes. 

He is co-founder and chairman of the New York Irish Center known for its outstanding services to the senior Irish generation and suicide prevention assistance for the Irish community. In 2014, he was honored by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform for his work with undocumented Irish.

Mackin is a man of principle that respects the freedoms of this country and on a daily basis works with people of all backgrounds to accomplish these common goals. 

He and his wife Philomena, have been members of the Eastchester Irish American Social Club for 18 years, supporting its many charitable causes. They are the devoted parents of three children, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Taylor who have three children Gavin, Ryan and Ella Rose; son Sean Og; andson Ciaran and his partner Chelsey and their son Pierce. Like Mackin, they all live in Eastchester.

Mackin thoroughly enjoys celebrating all that is Irish. He makes the perfect leader in “transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic” with something that will embrace our culture and encourage people of every origin to come out and participate. 

So in that spirit, I invite you to join Grand Marshal Mackin, his family and the members of the Eastchester Irish American Social Club to our 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12 and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

All are welcome to join the celebration. After all, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

John G. Murtha, president, Eastchester Irish-American Social Club

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