Aides to the Grand Marshal 2024

Aide for the County Cork Association

Pat Conway

Patricia 'Pat' Conway is the daughter of the late Francis and Eileen Conway.  She is the sister of Maribeth Hess, Michael and Billy Conway and the Sister-in-Law of Sharon, Renee and the late Ed Hess. Pat is the aunt of Brian and Megan Hess, and Eileen, Allison, and Michael Conway and the “Aunt” of Jess, Ryan, Rich, Justin and Jackie. She is the great aunt of Georgia, Macailagh, Maeve, Alexa, Nyla and Justin (JJ).

Pat is the granddaughter of Michael Conway born in Cabragh, Dromore West, Co. Sligo and Margaret (Cooney) Conway born in Aghabullogue, Co. Cork who immigrated to Bayonne in the early 1900’s. She is the great-granddaughter of Timothy and Helen (Murphy) O’Brien born in Co. Cork who immigrated to Bayonne and were married at St. Mary’s in 1885. She is also the niece of the late Billy Sutton, who was a President of the Co. Corkmen's Association.

A graduate of St. Mary, Star of the Sea School, Holy Family Academy, and Jersey City State College with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.A. in Student Personnel Services, Pat was employed by the Roselle Board of Education for 40 years, first as an Elementary Teacher and then as an Elementary School Counselor. She served as the Character Education Coordinator, Organizer of Soup-er Bowl Sunday Food Drives for the local Food Pantry, Spirit Days for Students, Secret Pal Week for Staff, Career Day, Grandparent Support Group Facilitator, and the Just Say No to Drugs Coordinator.

Pat is trained as a Facilitator and Coordinator for the Roselle Board of Education and Catholic Parishes of Bayonne for Rainbows for All Children, a peer support program for children who have experienced a loss through death, divorce, or separation. Pat has received the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award and the Jersey Journal Woman of Achievement. She served on the City of Bayonne’s Inaugural Ethics Board and as Program Director of the Bayonne-Orange Search Program.

For HFA, Pat has served on the Board of Trustees, President of the Alumni Association, Organizer of “Honors Night” for Bayonne Clubs and Organizations and has been a recipient of the HFA Night of Stars Legacy Achievement Award.

For St. Mary’s, Pat has been active in: CYO - member, coach, player, Adult Advisory Board, CCD – teacher, Sunday School Principal, CCD Board, Parish Council - Member, Recording Secretary, President, Finance Council Member, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen Volunteer, Church Decorating Committee and a Eucharistic Minister serving the Homebound and prior to Covid, Bayonne Medical Center.

Aide for the County Donegal Association

Casey Hudacko

Casey Hudacko was born and raised in Bayonne.  She attended Midtown Community School before transferring to PS 14.  She later graduated from High Tech High School in North Bergen with a major in Television Production.  

She moved up to Boston to attend Emerson College and graduated cum laude with a major in Studio TV Production.  After leaving Boston, she moved back home to Bayonne after college before starting her career in television in the city. 

Outside of professional accomplishments, Casey spends her free time volunteering with an animal rescue and opening her home to foster dogs when she can.  She is a previous member of the parade committee for 5 years, serving as the Publicity Chair for the committee for 4 of those years. 

Casey can’t wait to march up Broadway and to celebrate with friends and family on what will be an incredible Saint Patrick’s Day in Bayonne. 

Aide for the Irish American League of Bayonne

Ian Hudacko

Ian is a graduate of Washington Community School and Bayonne High School.  He is an officer for the Bayonne Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 434.  He is a gold medal athlete with New Jersey Special Olympics in volleyball, snowshoeing, swimming, and bowling.  In 2014, Ian competed in the national games and, along with his teammates, he brought the gold medal home to the state of New Jersey.  In addition to his many Special Olympic awards, he is also a past Rotary Club Award winner.

He attends the Ability Day camp where he spends many hours with his wonderful group of friends doing various activities throughout the city.  Ian was selected by Mayor Jimmy Davis in 2022 to serve as the first Grand Marshal of the Jimmy Davis One Block Parade.

Ian is an avid sports fan and enjoys attending Devils, Yankees, and Giants games whenever possible.  During the summer, you can find him kayaking at his family lake house and enjoying everything that mother nature has to offer.  He loves to listen to music and spends a lot of time on the phone serenading his girlfriend, Alexis.

He is the proud dog father of Riley Rose, who is indeed man’s best friend!

Aide for the Shamrock Society of Bayonne

Eileen McGarvey Gill

Eileen (McGarvey) Gill is a lifelong resident of Bayonne.  Eileen is the 4th of 5 children born to Clare (Conway) and the late Patrick McGarvey, whose ancestors hail from Counties Donegal (Ranafast and Gweedore) and Tyrone.  Her siblings Clare, Kathleen, Patrick, and Peggy are among her closest friends.  Married to Chris Gill for 33 fun-filled happy years, together they have three grown children, Alex, Ian, and Emily, whom Eileen considers her best work.

Eileen is a member of Saint Henry Parish of Bayonne where she served many years as a Eucharistic Minister. While her children attended Horace Mann School, Eileen was an active member of the PTA serving on the Board for many years and as its Treasurer in her final year. 

Eileen is a graduate of St. Mary’s, Holy Family Academy and Saint Peter’s University, where she majored in Business Management and minored in Economics. After working for a time at Merrill Lynch and then Aubrey G. Lanston &; Co., Eileen paused working full-time to raise her family. 

Once Emily started Kindergarten, Eileen re-entered the workforce and managed the office of Madison Consulting Group for eight years. She began working for the Bayonne Board of Education nine years ago as the Attendance & Registration Office Manager, where she is happy to be serving the children of Bayonne and their families.

Eileen has been a member of The Shamrock Society since its inception and is also a member of the County Donegal Association of Bayonne.