Author Mark Twain once famously quipped about the great exaggerations fueling rumors of his death. But the legendary Malachi McCourt topped even Twain, by noting that - exaggerated or not - death “need not be fatal.” That was the title of one of McCourt's many books. And, in some ways, it was the guiding principle of his extraordinary life - acting on stage and screen, telling … [Read more...] about Malachy McCourt, “Death Need Not Be Fatal”
Those we Lost
Vietnam’s First Medal of Honor Recipient
By Mary Cucinell
IA Newsletter, February 10, 2024
IA Newsletter, February 10, 2024
Captain Roger H.C. Donlon was the first person to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Nam Dong on July 6, 1964. Roger Hugh Charles Donlon, first Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam War, died on January 28, 2024. He was 89. Born on January 30, 1934, Donlon recalled his early life in an interview saying," I was blessed to be born into an Irish Catholic family in … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s First Medal of Honor Recipient
Remembering Master Teacher
Thomas J. Quinlan
IA Newsletter January 20, 2024
Thomas J. Quinlan, 98, passed away Monday, January 15, 2024. He was a master teacher in a career that spanned eight decades.
He was the beloved husband of the late Virginia (Clark) Quinlan.
Born January 28, 1925, in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late John and Edna (Brownell) Quinlan and a proud grandson of Bartholomew and Cecilia (Cox) Quinlan, both of whom were born in … [Read more...] about Remembering Master Teacher
Thomas J. Quinlan
Shane MacGowan: “We’ll Never See His Like Again”
By Stephan Talty
IA Newsletter, December 2, 2023
IA Newsletter, December 2, 2023
Thirty-one years ago, I walked up to an apartment in north London to meet one of my heroes, Shane MacGowan. He was asleep when I got there and drunk when he woke up, funny, shy, and acerbic. He cut off one of my questions to tell an unprintable story about the Jam’s lead singer, Paul Weller, leant his sister fifty quid, which he pulled out of a pocket amidst a large clump of … [Read more...] about Shane MacGowan: “We’ll Never See His Like Again”
Those We Lost: From a Legend in Philanthropy to a Legend of Music
Charles "Chuck" Feeney 1931-2023Billionaire philanthropist and member of the Irish America Hall of Fame Chuck Feeney died in October, aged 92. A wildly successful entrepreneur, Feeney’s work ethic was equaled only by his goodwill. Combining the two, he founded and funded philanthropic organizations to distribute nearly all the fruits of his labors during his lifetime to causes … [Read more...] about Those We Lost: From a Legend in Philanthropy to a Legend of Music