R.I.P Firefighter Stephens

Elizabeth Firefighter Gary Stephens died in the line of duty in the early hours of January 2nd. Today family, friends and about 1,000 brother firefighters gathered to honor his memory.

From The Star-Ledger:

More than 1,000 firefighters and law enforcement officers gathered today for the funeral of a veteran Elizabeth firefighter killed Friday when he was struck by a fire truck after he responded to an early morning blaze.

Dressed in their crisp dark-blue uniforms and white gloves, scores of firefighters from around the state lined South Broad Street by St. John's Episcopal Church in downtown Elizabeth for the funeral of firefighter Gary Stephens.

Jim Lowney Photo

Jim Lowney Photo

Buy This Book

Flying back from Ireland this week I finally had some time to read my friend Matt Welch's book about John McCain. It is truly a good and interesting read.

Jim Lowney Photo

Now That St. Patrick's Season Is Over...

We have some time to post a picture of the Union County Parade's Grand Marshal. Again, congratulations, Dad.

Jim Lowney Photo

Hoboken Kicks Off Jersey's Irish Parades

The Hoboken St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 on Washington Street.

Jim Lowney Photo

Eileen O'Connor Farinola, the 2008 Irish Woman of the Year, and Richard "Dick" England, Grand Marshal for the Hoboken St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Investiture Mass for 2008 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Jim Lowney Sr.

Union County, NJ— Jim Lowney Sr. will be installed as the Grand Marshal of the 2008 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade during an Investiture Mass at St. Genevieve Church in Elizabeth , NJ 07208 on Saturday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m.

All are invited to attend the Investiture Mass.

Following the Investiture Mass, a reception for the Grand Marshal will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Blackthorn Restaurant and Irish Pub located at 652 N. Michigan Avenue , Kenilworth , NJ 07033 .

Admission to the reception is $25 per person and includes draught beer, wine, soda and food. Live Irish entertainment will be provided by Ian Gallagher.

For more information or tickets for the reception, please contact Jim Lowney Jr. at 848-448-6885 or at jimlowneyphoto@yahoo.com.

Jim Lowney Sr., a well-know columnist for Irish-American newspapers, will lead the 12th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1:00 p.m. sharp on Saturday, March 15, 2008 on Morris Avenue in Union , NJ .

For information about the parade please visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com.

Irish Newspaperman Jim Lowney Sr. Named Grand Marshal of 2008 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Union County, NJ--The 2008 Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee proudly announces Elizabeth native Jim Lowney Sr. has been named Grand Marshal of the 12th Annual Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

Lowney is well known throughout New Jersey and beyond for his 30 years of newspaper columns in the Irish Echo and the Irish Edition.

In addition to his well-read columns about the Irish in New Jersey, he has also been active for decades in the state’s Irish-American community promoting Irish culture through education, historical preservation, festivals, fundraisers and countless parades around the Garden State.

“It’s a distinct honor to be chosen to lead the Union County Irish in a dignified parade that celebrates our patron saint and our rich heritage and the contributions of generations of the Irish immigrants to America,” Grand Marshal Lowney said.

Lowney, 67, has strong ties with Ireland and deep roots in Union County. Born in Elizabeth, he was raised in Hillside by Patrick Lowney from Castletownbere, County Cork and Elizabeth Lamont Lowney from Coleraine, County Derry.

The Joseph Nugent Sr. Association of Union County nominated Lowney for Grand Marshal and he was elected unanimously by representatives of the 17 parade committee member organizations and parade officers. The Union County Emerald Society seconded the motion.

Lowney has served as a member of the Irish Resources Advisory Board for the Msgr. William Noe Field Archives and Special Collections Center at Seton Hall University and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Irish Heritage Series at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. He also served for several years as publicity chairman of the New Jersey Irish Festival at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.

While busy with all things Irish and more than 20 visits to Ireland, Lowney also had a distinguished career as a professional journalist working as a staff photographer for the old Newark Evening News and as a reporter for the Asbury Park Press. After moving on to corporate public relations, he finished up his professional career in 2006 as a public information officer for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School. Lowney, a Seton Hall graduate, also served his country in the New Jersey Air National Guard.

Lowney has been recognized for his work in the Irish-American community before. He was profiled in Irish American Who’s Who. The Independent Irish Society of Essex County awarded him the Distinguished Irish American Citizenship Award. The Peter J. Smith Cultural Association of Union recognized Jim for his “Dedication and Continued Support of Irish Culture and Tradition.” And the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Rev. William J. Clifford Division 1 of Toms River, presented Jim with the 25th Anniversary Service Award.

The 2008 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade is dedicated to all of New Jersey’s teachers and educational support staff.

Parade day will be a family day for Lowney as well as a celebration of his Irish heritage. He is looking forward to sharing the day with wife Mary, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, daughter Maureen, and his sons Jim, Sean and Patrick as they march down Morris Avenue.

The 12th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 1:00 p.m. sharp on Saturday, March 15, 2008 on Morris Avenue in Union, NJ.

New Web Site

Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums have a new web site at unioncountypipeband.com. It is just the start. Please check back often for updates.

Jim Lowney Photo

Happy Christmas to All

Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums Hosting Christmas Party with a Purpose


Dec. 18 Toy Drive to Benefit St. Joseph Social Service Center



KENILWORTH --Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums invites everyone to join them at their Christmas party and toy drive on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Blackthorn Restaurant and Irish Pub.

All are welcome to come meet the band, share some holiday cheer, enjoy some traditional bagpipe music and help a good cause. Everyone is encouraged to bring a new toy that will be donated to the St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth the following day.

The Blackthorn Restaurant and Irish Pub is located at 651 N. Michigan Ave. in Kenilworth , NJ 07033 .

"We Got A Job"

Photo by Jim Lowney/Newark Evening News

Newark Evening News staff photographer, Jim Lowney, was in the immediate neighborhood
and shares with us his memories of the fire: "I was there before the first-due engine arrived. I, along with a few off-duty cops, were in McGovern's Tavern, at 58 New Street. I heard the alarm
go out on my crystal police radio. A few of us walked up and looked at the luncheonette, and
there was just a light smoke condition. We, and patrons of the Stage Door Bar, towards Broad
Street, went back to our beers. About 5 minutes later, I heard "Signal 11" and soon after "Tran-
smit Second Alarm." I got my camera and went to the corner. As the front door was opened, a
flashover occurred and a wall of flame pushed back the firemen.