– Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted the Annual Essex County Irish Heritage Celebration on Tuesday, March 15th. During the afternoon ceremony, the County Executive presented Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey and Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald, with the 2011 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year Award and The Honorable Thomas P. Giblin, NJ Assemblyman, with the 2011 Essex County Irishman of the Year Award. He also gave a special tribute to the late James Mooney, a retired Newark Fire Captain and accomplished singer of Irish melodies.
“As I travel throughout New Jersey, I constantly tell people that Essex County’s strength is our diversity. Highlighting the contributions that each ethnicity has made to our culture, economy and history helps create a better understanding of each other and develops a sense of community,” DiVincenzo said. “Mary Pat Christie and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin are two individuals who have helped shape the quality of life in New Jersey through their legal and civic work,” he added.
“This is truly a day to be remembered. I congratulate First Lady Mary Pat Christie and Assemblyman Tom Giblin and thank them for all that they have done for New Jersey and Essex County, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Freeholder President Blonnie R. Watson.
Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey, is a Managing Director in the High Yield Corporate Bond Department at Cantor Fitzgerald. She has successfully combined her roles as wife and mother with a business career and community service. In addition, she serves as the Treasurer of the Delbarton School Mother’s Guild, participates in her daughters’ Girls Scout and Brownie troops, and is the team mom for her children’s sports teams. Mrs. Christie is also an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Mendham, where she contributes to the family liturgy, confirmation class activities, and soup kitchen outreach.
Born in Paoli, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Christie is the ninth of ten children. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware and received her Master’s in Business Administration and Finance at Seton Hall University. Mrs. Christie and her husband, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, met in college and have been married for 24 years. The Christies have four children, Andrew, Sarah, Patrick, and Bridget.
“This is truly an honor and I thank the County Executive for recognizing me as the 2011 Irishwoman of the Year and I want to congratulate Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, as well. As a product of a large Irish family, the concern for others and strong work ethic was instilled in me,” said Christie. “I will continue working on re-entry initiatives for ex-offenders because this is a population we cannot neglect. As First Lady, I hope to continue to make you all proud, because we have a lot to be proud of here in New Jersey,” she added.
Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin is currently in his third term as representative for the 34th Legislative District, which encompasses East Orange, Montclair and Glen Ridge in Essex County, as well as Clifton and Woodland Park in Passaic County. He began his public service career in 1977 when he was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, where he served until 1990. In 1979, he was appointed as Commissioner to the New Jersey Real Estate Commission and, in 1990, he became the Essex County Surrogate.
Giblin serves as the Business Manager of the 5,000-member Local 68 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO. In addition to his work in Public Service and Union Management, Giblin has remained active in community and civic groups across the State. He served as the Director of Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey for 22 years, a member/trustee of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson for 12 years and a former executive board member of the Essex Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also has been an officer and trustee for the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation, the American Heart Association’s Essex County Chapter, and the New Jersey Association of Retarded Citizens of Essex.
Assemblyman Giblin resides in Montclair and is the father of five children and grandfather of five.
“I am very appreciative to the County Executive for bestowing this recognition on me and I congratulate my co-honoree, First Lady Mary Pat Christie,” said Giblin. “I am the child of Irish immigrants who instilled in me the importance of working hard and helping people. Throughout my entire career, some of my best years in government were spent here in Essex County,” he added.
Born, raised and educated in Newark, James Mooney was a member of the Newark Fire Department for 29 years, where he retired as the Captain of Rescue One and Hazardous Materials. He was primarily known for his tremendous voice and ability to sing in front of a crowd of any size. He had the honor of singing at the Governor's Mansion on several occasions, and in July 2009, he was given the opportunity to sing for the President of the United States at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. In the summer, Jim kicked off the Berkeley Summer Concert Series with his powerful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. He also sang for various organizations of which he was a member, including The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Garden State Irish Festival Committee, The Newark St. Patrick's Day Committee, Irish American Society of the Oranges, The John Cryan Association, The Giblin Association, The McGovern Association, Holy Name Society, The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Brian Boru Association, Essex County Emerald Society, The Nugent Association, the Ocean Gate Democratic Club, and the Ocean County Democratic Committee.
He served as president of The Ocean County Retired Police and Fire Association. While Jim took great pride in many accomplishments, especially singing, nothing in this world made him more proud than his family. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Daly). They had four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“I want to thank the County Executive for honoring my father because he always enjoyed coming to these events to sing and celebrate Irish heritage,” said Maureen Del Plato, daughter of James Mooney. “On behalf of my family, we all thank you because this really means a lot to us,” she added.
The entertainment was provided by Verona resident Eamonn Ryan. Jack McGarry of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office was the official bagpiper.
Essex County’s Annual Irish Heritage Celebration is one of several cultural observances hosted by the Essex County Executive and the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action. The events are held to raise awareness about the rich ethnic diversity and backgrounds of County employees.
