Joseph Houlihan Selected Grand Marshal of Eastchester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 15
Written by Connie M. Cullen, Eastchester Irish American Social Club
Feb. 4, 2015: Sponsored by the Eastchester Irish American Social Club (EIASC), the eleventh annual Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 3:00 pm. This celebration has become a tradition and a source of pride and enjoyment for Eastchester and its surrounding area residents.
The grand marshal this year will be Joseph Houlihan, owner of Houlihan & O'Malley Real Estate Services. Stephen and Kathleen Huvane have been selected as parade honorees.
The grand marshal and honorees will be presented with their parade sashes at the grand marshal installation and sash presentation the week before the parade on Saturday, March 7, at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester.
Joseph Houlihan:
Joe Houlihan's great grandparents emigrated from County Kerry, Ireland, in the late 1800s. They arrived in various states, including New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The Houlihans have been a successful lot, making several smart decisions, most important in real estate.
Joe is a graduate of Iona College, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration; he also earned a CPA prior to commencing his own real estate career. Currently, Joe is the managing partner of the residential sales group at Houlihan & O'Malley Real Estate Services in Bronxville, NY.
His many accomplishments include being recognized by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, winning the Diamond Award for sales of over $15,000,000, and receiving the Westchester County Five Star Real Estate Agent award in multiple years.
He is an active member of St. Joseph's Parish in Bronxville and the EIASC. In the recent past, he was on the board of trustees at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, NY (2007-2013). Joe and his wife, Anna Filipkowski, reside in Fleetwood, where they raised three daughters, Kasia, Julia, and Emily. Mr. Houlihan has chosen Gerry Houlihan (brother), Patricia Houlihan (cousin-in-law), and Jim Coleman (cousin-in-law) as his parade aides.
Mr. Houlihan's reaction to being selected as grand marshal was one of amazement. He stated, "I never thought I would have this honor. My family worked hard and became successful through hard work. Their humble beginnings in Harlem brought them to Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx. They belonged to St. Phillip Neri Parish; there is a stained glass window at the church with the Houlihan name on it. That work ethic still stands and I am proud to be part of that history. I think the Eastchester Irish is a great local community group that promotes the continuation of Irish-American traditions and helps us remember our unpretentious Irish beginnings."
Stephen and Kathleen Huvane:
Stephen and Kathleen Huvane are natives of the Bronx. The parents of each have their roots in Ireland, Stephen's coming from Counties Mayo and Galway and Kathleen's, from County Kerry.
Stephen received a BS CIS from Manhattan College and an MS from Iona College, and he currently works at Purdue Pharma L.P. Kathleen earned a BSN in nursing from Mount St. Vincent and is a registered pediatric nurse currently at the Eastchester Pediatric Medical Group, CWPW, LLP.
Active members of the EIASC for over 16 years and the Swazi Legacy for five years, they reside in Eastchester, where they raised their four children, Kaitlin, Eilish, Stephen, and Kieran. Stephen has been a member of the EIASC St. Patrick's Parade committee for nearly 10 years, while Kathleen is an active member of various school functions and fundraisers.
The 2015 parade steps off at 3:00 pm, beginning at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe, and will proceed north on Route 22 to Lake Isle Country Club. The parade incorporates local schools and organizations and will feature ten pipe bands, five Irish dancing troupes, four brass marching bands, three Irish music bands, and numerous other groups, including the police and fire departments, as well as veteran and active military.
The Eastchester Irish American Social Club is a nonprofit organization founded in 1966 consisting of members from Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, and Crestwood. For information about the Eastchester St. Patrick's Day parade line of march or about participating in the parade, please e-mail
Pictured here: Joseph Houlihan.
Photo courtesy Arista Camera
