Sean Dolphin, Guest of Honor
A dedicated family man and proud community member, Sean Dolphin exemplifies the strength of family values and heritage, serving as a bridge between generations in New York and Ireland.
Born in Glendale, Queens, to Eugene and Bridget Dolphin, Sean is the youngest of nine children in a family deeply rooted in Irish traditions. His father, Eugene Dolphin, emigrated from Dromore West, County Sligo, to New York in 1950, served honorably in the Korean War, and worked with Con Edison for over 40 years. His mother, Bridget (née Golden) from Templeboy, County Sligo, followed in 1955, becoming an inspiration as the past president of the Sligo Ladies Association and earning recognition as a Golden Pioneer for her abstinence from alcohol.
Sean is a first-generation American born to immigrant parents from Ireland who came with nothing but hopes and their faith, embodying the pursuit of the American dream.
Eugene and Bridget were known for opening their home to immigrants coming into the U.S., offering support and a sense of community. To honor their memory, Sean, his wife, and their children take annual visits to Sligo, visiting both respective family homes in Templeboy and Dromore West, and frequently connecting with extended family and friends. These cherished trips reinforce their strong ties to their Irish heritage.
Sean attended Christ the King High School, where he cultivated lifelong friendships. He met the love of his life, Kim (née Ramos), while walking his dog around the streets of Glendale. Sean and Kim have been happily married for 25 years and currently live in Long Island with their five children: John, Sarah, Brendan, Matthew, and Kate.
After his parents Eugene and Bridget Dolphin passed in 1991, Sean was sworn in as a New York City Police Officer in June 1992. Now in his 33rd year with the NYPD, Sean achieved the rank of Lieutenant Special Assignment in 2020. This discretionary promotion is a testament to his dedication and service to the City of New York. He holds a baccalaureate in Criminal Justice from SUNY Empire State College and is a 3rd-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, reflecting his commitment to faith and community, and is a parishioner of Christ the King RC Church.
Sean’s Irish heritage remains a cornerstone of his identity. Instilled with deep pride by his parents, he has marched in every New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade since birth, missing only one year due to an injury. Today, he marches proudly with the NYPD Emerald Society, representing his cherished County of Sligo. Fittingly, his wife's birthday coincides with this special holiday, further solidifying its significance in their lives.
Sean has three key pillars of walking the talk: Faith, Family, and Community. His unwavering Catholic upbringing has cemented these core values in his everyday life. As a devoted family man, Sean focuses on supporting his children in their soccer tournaments or football games, always the biggest fan and cheerleader on the sidelines. Beyond his professional duties, Sean continually seeks ways to serve his community, offering kindness and support to all who cross his path. His daily acts of generosity, though not heralded in the New York Post, make a lasting impact on those around him.
With these three core principles —Faith, Family, and Community— Sean touches many lives, enriching them in mind, body, and spirit.
Sean’s life is a testament to the values of service, heritage, and family, embodying the legacy of his parents while forging his own path as a leader and role model.
Sean would like to thank the County Sligo Social & Benevolent Association for the honor bestowed on him this evening. He would also like to thank his family for their endless support and encouragement over the years. Sean would equally like to wish the association continued success and growth.
Born in Glendale, Queens, to Eugene and Bridget Dolphin, Sean is the youngest of nine children in a family deeply rooted in Irish traditions. His father, Eugene Dolphin, emigrated from Dromore West, County Sligo, to New York in 1950, served honorably in the Korean War, and worked with Con Edison for over 40 years. His mother, Bridget (née Golden) from Templeboy, County Sligo, followed in 1955, becoming an inspiration as the past president of the Sligo Ladies Association and earning recognition as a Golden Pioneer for her abstinence from alcohol.
Sean is a first-generation American born to immigrant parents from Ireland who came with nothing but hopes and their faith, embodying the pursuit of the American dream.
Eugene and Bridget were known for opening their home to immigrants coming into the U.S., offering support and a sense of community. To honor their memory, Sean, his wife, and their children take annual visits to Sligo, visiting both respective family homes in Templeboy and Dromore West, and frequently connecting with extended family and friends. These cherished trips reinforce their strong ties to their Irish heritage.
Sean attended Christ the King High School, where he cultivated lifelong friendships. He met the love of his life, Kim (née Ramos), while walking his dog around the streets of Glendale. Sean and Kim have been happily married for 25 years and currently live in Long Island with their five children: John, Sarah, Brendan, Matthew, and Kate.
After his parents Eugene and Bridget Dolphin passed in 1991, Sean was sworn in as a New York City Police Officer in June 1992. Now in his 33rd year with the NYPD, Sean achieved the rank of Lieutenant Special Assignment in 2020. This discretionary promotion is a testament to his dedication and service to the City of New York. He holds a baccalaureate in Criminal Justice from SUNY Empire State College and is a 3rd-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, reflecting his commitment to faith and community, and is a parishioner of Christ the King RC Church.
Sean’s Irish heritage remains a cornerstone of his identity. Instilled with deep pride by his parents, he has marched in every New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade since birth, missing only one year due to an injury. Today, he marches proudly with the NYPD Emerald Society, representing his cherished County of Sligo. Fittingly, his wife's birthday coincides with this special holiday, further solidifying its significance in their lives.
Sean has three key pillars of walking the talk: Faith, Family, and Community. His unwavering Catholic upbringing has cemented these core values in his everyday life. As a devoted family man, Sean focuses on supporting his children in their soccer tournaments or football games, always the biggest fan and cheerleader on the sidelines. Beyond his professional duties, Sean continually seeks ways to serve his community, offering kindness and support to all who cross his path. His daily acts of generosity, though not heralded in the New York Post, make a lasting impact on those around him.
With these three core principles —Faith, Family, and Community— Sean touches many lives, enriching them in mind, body, and spirit.
Sean’s life is a testament to the values of service, heritage, and family, embodying the legacy of his parents while forging his own path as a leader and role model.
Sean would like to thank the County Sligo Social & Benevolent Association for the honor bestowed on him this evening. He would also like to thank his family for their endless support and encouragement over the years. Sean would equally like to wish the association continued success and growth.
Dr. Stephen Butler - Sligo Person of the Year
Dr. Stephen Butler was born in Woodside, Queens, in November 1978. Stephen is the youngest of three boys, born to Anne, a native of Duagh, County Kerry, and Matty Hugh Butler from Culleens, County Sligo, who was a longtime member of the County Sligo Social & Benevolent Association, joining as soon as he arrived in New York in 1962.
Stephen spent many childhood summers visiting his family in Ireland, often staying at his grandparents' farm in Culleens.
Stephen attended local public schools in Queens while making his sacraments at, and playing CYO basketball for, Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians parish, better known as Saint Mary’s, Winfield.
He attended high school at Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst, Queens.
Stephen received a full academic scholarship to Iona College, where he studied English Literature.
He obtained his Master’s Degree in English from the City College of New York while working full time as a member of Local 32 B-J. He was awarded the union's Thomas Shortman Fund Graduate scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies at Drew University.
He earned his PhD in Modern History and Literature from Drew in 2011.
While his older brothers chose the noble path of careers in civil service, Matt with the NY Department of Sanitation and Brian with the Suffolk County Police Department, Stephen decided to become an educator.
Stephen taught Composition, Humanities, and Literature courses at Iona and Keane universities before joining the Expository Writing Program at New York University in 2012. Originally hired as a language lecturer, he now serves as a clinical professor at the school.
Since 2013, he has been an associate editor, book reviewer and article writer for New York Irish History, the annual journal of The New York Irish History Roundtable.
In 2016, he was text editor for the United Irish Counties Association commemorative publication, “The 1916 Easter Rising: New York and Beyond.”
In 2018, his first book, “Irish Writers in the Irish American Press, 1882-1964,” was published by the University of Massachusetts Press.
Since 2020, Stephen has frequently written columns about literature, history, sports, music and politics for the Irish Echo newspaper.
Stephen lives with his wife Erin in River Edge, NJ. The couple have been blessed with four daughters: Brigid, Lily, Adare and Molly.
Stephen spent many childhood summers visiting his family in Ireland, often staying at his grandparents' farm in Culleens.
Stephen attended local public schools in Queens while making his sacraments at, and playing CYO basketball for, Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians parish, better known as Saint Mary’s, Winfield.
He attended high school at Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst, Queens.
Stephen received a full academic scholarship to Iona College, where he studied English Literature.
He obtained his Master’s Degree in English from the City College of New York while working full time as a member of Local 32 B-J. He was awarded the union's Thomas Shortman Fund Graduate scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies at Drew University.
He earned his PhD in Modern History and Literature from Drew in 2011.
While his older brothers chose the noble path of careers in civil service, Matt with the NY Department of Sanitation and Brian with the Suffolk County Police Department, Stephen decided to become an educator.
Stephen taught Composition, Humanities, and Literature courses at Iona and Keane universities before joining the Expository Writing Program at New York University in 2012. Originally hired as a language lecturer, he now serves as a clinical professor at the school.
Since 2013, he has been an associate editor, book reviewer and article writer for New York Irish History, the annual journal of The New York Irish History Roundtable.
In 2016, he was text editor for the United Irish Counties Association commemorative publication, “The 1916 Easter Rising: New York and Beyond.”
In 2018, his first book, “Irish Writers in the Irish American Press, 1882-1964,” was published by the University of Massachusetts Press.
Since 2020, Stephen has frequently written columns about literature, history, sports, music and politics for the Irish Echo newspaper.
Stephen lives with his wife Erin in River Edge, NJ. The couple have been blessed with four daughters: Brigid, Lily, Adare and Molly.
Raymond Conlon - Lifetime Membership Award
RAYMOND CONLON was born in Drumnacool, Gleann, County Sligo, to Bridget and Michael Conlon. He is the second youngest of 13 children. He attended Gleann National School.
Raymond left home when he was 18 years old and worked in Dublin, Kildare and London before emigrating to the U.S.A. in 1975. He secured employment as a Stationery Fireman with the New York City Board of Education, a position he held until his retirement in 2007. In 2009, the principal and staff of PS100 in the Bronx honored him by dedicating the Library Media Center in his name in appreciation for his many years of service and loyalty.
Shortly after his arrival in the U.S.A., Raymond joined Division 3 of the A.O.H. in the Bronx where he remained a loyal member serving as Corresponding Secretary. He chaired its annual Christmas celebrations several times before transferring to Division 4, Manhattan in 1977. Division 3 A.O.H. honored him as their Hibernian Man of the Year in 1977.
Shortly after arriving in New York, Raymond joined the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association where he served four terms as President. He was instrumental in reinstating the annual Communion Breakfast and in opening membership to women. He was honored as their Sligo Man of the Year in 2000.
In 2002, Raymond was honored to be selected by the United Irish Counties Association as Aide to the Grand Marshall, His Eminence Cardinal Edward Egan, in that year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the United Irish Counties Association of New York.
Raymond is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Astoria where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister and is a past president of the Holy Name Society.
Raymond and his wife Mary were blessed with two sons: Richard, who went to his heavenly home in 2015, and Francis, who lives in Cypress with his wife Boryana and their son Damyan.
In 2020, Raymond was honored to march in the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade as its Grand Marshall.
Raymond is honored and thankful to the County Sligo Association for tonight’s recognition and wishes everyone a very enjoyable evening. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
Raymond left home when he was 18 years old and worked in Dublin, Kildare and London before emigrating to the U.S.A. in 1975. He secured employment as a Stationery Fireman with the New York City Board of Education, a position he held until his retirement in 2007. In 2009, the principal and staff of PS100 in the Bronx honored him by dedicating the Library Media Center in his name in appreciation for his many years of service and loyalty.
Shortly after his arrival in the U.S.A., Raymond joined Division 3 of the A.O.H. in the Bronx where he remained a loyal member serving as Corresponding Secretary. He chaired its annual Christmas celebrations several times before transferring to Division 4, Manhattan in 1977. Division 3 A.O.H. honored him as their Hibernian Man of the Year in 1977.
Shortly after arriving in New York, Raymond joined the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association where he served four terms as President. He was instrumental in reinstating the annual Communion Breakfast and in opening membership to women. He was honored as their Sligo Man of the Year in 2000.
In 2002, Raymond was honored to be selected by the United Irish Counties Association as Aide to the Grand Marshall, His Eminence Cardinal Edward Egan, in that year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the United Irish Counties Association of New York.
Raymond is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Astoria where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister and is a past president of the Holy Name Society.
Raymond and his wife Mary were blessed with two sons: Richard, who went to his heavenly home in 2015, and Francis, who lives in Cypress with his wife Boryana and their son Damyan.
In 2020, Raymond was honored to march in the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade as its Grand Marshall.
Raymond is honored and thankful to the County Sligo Association for tonight’s recognition and wishes everyone a very enjoyable evening. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
Tony Conlon - Lifetime Membership Award
MICHAEL ANTHONY CONLON, better known as Tony, was born in Drumnacool, Gleann, County Sligo. He was the seventh of 13 children born to Bridget and Michael (Sonny) Conlon. Tony attended Gleann National School and as a teenager, began working in the Arigna Coal Mines while also helping to build the family’s home cottage in Gleann.
Hard work was a mainstay in Tony’s life. He went from the coal mines in Arigna to Bord Na Mona in Kildare and on to the construction industry in England. While in London, Tony met and married Mary Kelly of Dromahair, County Leitrim, and they went on to have nine children.
Tony and Mary, with their budding family, moved from England to Ireland and back numerous times, always following better work opportunities. They included working construction jobs in London, including the boring and drilling of the Victoria Tube Line tunnels, as well as being a heavy goods driver, delivering cement to construction projects throughout the city of London. Back in Ireland, he worked as a driver for CIE in Dublin, often pulling numerous shifts a day.
In 1975, Tony and Mary emigrated to New York with 7 children ranging in age from 12 years down to a newborn, and shortly thereafter, welcomed their youngest child. They settled in Astoria, Queens, and Tony immediately started working three jobs: one as a fireman for Local 94 at P.S. 198 in New York City, and another on evenings and weekends at St. Ignatius Loyola School in Manhattan, as well as being a full-time superintendent in Astoria. It’s hard to find a time when Tony only carried one job at a time. Tony and Mary eventually moved to their home in Hawthorne, New Jersey, and in 2002, Tony retired from his job as a Stationary Engineer at Manhattan Technical High School.
Even today in his retirement, Tony volunteers several days a week with “Chore of Bergen County” doing small projects in the homes of senior citizens and as a “Jack of all trades,” is often found in the homes of family members, completing various jobs that are too numerous to list. In his downtime, Tony enjoys tending to his lawn and gardens. He also enjoys a good round of golf, often with his brother and fellow honoree Raymond.
Unfortunately, in 2020, Tony lost his daughter June and a few short months later, his wife Mary. He meticulously maintains their final resting place at Christ the King Cemetery.
In 1981, Tony became a proud member of the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association of New York and, up until recently, was a mainstay at the various St. Patrick’s Day parades, often carrying a banner or flag for the association.
Tony is grateful to the County Sligo Association for honoring him tonight while surrounded by his family and friends. He has always been and continues to be a proud Sligo man.
Hard work was a mainstay in Tony’s life. He went from the coal mines in Arigna to Bord Na Mona in Kildare and on to the construction industry in England. While in London, Tony met and married Mary Kelly of Dromahair, County Leitrim, and they went on to have nine children.
Tony and Mary, with their budding family, moved from England to Ireland and back numerous times, always following better work opportunities. They included working construction jobs in London, including the boring and drilling of the Victoria Tube Line tunnels, as well as being a heavy goods driver, delivering cement to construction projects throughout the city of London. Back in Ireland, he worked as a driver for CIE in Dublin, often pulling numerous shifts a day.
In 1975, Tony and Mary emigrated to New York with 7 children ranging in age from 12 years down to a newborn, and shortly thereafter, welcomed their youngest child. They settled in Astoria, Queens, and Tony immediately started working three jobs: one as a fireman for Local 94 at P.S. 198 in New York City, and another on evenings and weekends at St. Ignatius Loyola School in Manhattan, as well as being a full-time superintendent in Astoria. It’s hard to find a time when Tony only carried one job at a time. Tony and Mary eventually moved to their home in Hawthorne, New Jersey, and in 2002, Tony retired from his job as a Stationary Engineer at Manhattan Technical High School.
Even today in his retirement, Tony volunteers several days a week with “Chore of Bergen County” doing small projects in the homes of senior citizens and as a “Jack of all trades,” is often found in the homes of family members, completing various jobs that are too numerous to list. In his downtime, Tony enjoys tending to his lawn and gardens. He also enjoys a good round of golf, often with his brother and fellow honoree Raymond.
Unfortunately, in 2020, Tony lost his daughter June and a few short months later, his wife Mary. He meticulously maintains their final resting place at Christ the King Cemetery.
In 1981, Tony became a proud member of the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association of New York and, up until recently, was a mainstay at the various St. Patrick’s Day parades, often carrying a banner or flag for the association.
Tony is grateful to the County Sligo Association for honoring him tonight while surrounded by his family and friends. He has always been and continues to be a proud Sligo man.