Patrick Joseph Finn
Patrick Joseph Finn was born in Montclair, New Jersey, to Dermot Finn (Tibohine, Roscommon) & Pat (Walsh) Finn (Asdee, Kerry) and grew up in Belleville, New Jersey.
Patrick attended St. Peter’s Grammar School in Belleville, Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington and completed the Catholic School Trifecta when he graduated from Seton Hall University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.Patrick married Helen Hraniotis in December 1987, and moved to Montgomery, New York, where they raised their four children; daughter Mary Reddan (deceased) who was married to James Reddan (Clare), son Steve and his wife Ana and grandparents to their three children Mary, Stella and Leo, son Kevin, and their daughter Alyson (deceased). All four children earned their degrees graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology, Manhattan College, Potsdam University or Johnson State College.
Patrick spent his entire career working for Wakefern Food Corporation/Shoprite, starting out as a Warehouse Selector in 1979 and retiring in 2024 after 45 years as the Operations Manager of Wakefern’s Perishables Distribution Center. Patrick, and his brother John, have always been closely tied to their Irish heritage, growing up with many uncles and aunts, who all had immigrated to New Jersey or, of course, The Bronx, where they spent many Sundays visiting. Patrick and his countless cousins either spent the summers at Keenan’s or Carmody’s up in East Durham or spent them in the fields of Kerry and Roscommon gathering the cows for milking, making cocks of hay in the fields with the good old pitchfork, along with learning how to stack the good black turf to dry in the bog. They also attended Munster GAA championship games with their Grandfather Jack Walsh who played for Kerry and won 6 All-Irelands playing Left Fullback.
Patrick has also been involved with the Irish community in New York since his playing days with St. Joseph’s Minor GAA team or playing Sunday mornings on the pitch in Gaelic Park. Patrick and his wife Helen were members of the Parents and Students of Irish Dancing & Music Association and walked many St. Patrick’s Day Parades up Fifth Avenue as their daughter Alyson step-danced, entertaining the crowds with other students.
Patrick and Helen were members of the Cornwall Ceili Dance Group and danced many Siege of Ennis’ and Haymakers Jigs at the A.O.H. Hall in Cornwall, NY, where Patrick has been a member of the A.O.H. Donald J. Whelan Division for the last 20 years. He has held the offices of Marshal, Treasurer and Charities & Missions and has been Head Chef for their Irish Breakfast each month. Patrick was also an Aide to the Grand Marshal in the 2011 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade and currently serves on the Parade Committee representing his A.O.H. Division.
In 2014 Patrick had the privilege of being named Guest of Honor by the County Roscommon Society of New York at their Saint Patrick’s Dinner Dance and he is honored and looks forward to representing Orange County in the 2026 New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.