Irish-Americans Honored by Essex County

Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey and Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald, was recognized by Essex County as the 2011 Irishwoman of the Year Award and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (D-Essex) was chosen as the 2011 Essex County Irishman of the Year.

County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. also gave a special tribute to the late James Mooney, a retired Newark Fire Captain and accomplished singer of Irish melodies at the ceremony on Tuesday, March 15.

“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,” said DiVincenzo.

Christie  is a managing director in the high-yield corporate bond department at Cantor Fitzgerald. She also 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.

“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.

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.

Giblin is currently in his third term as representative for the 34^th legislative district, which encompasses East Orange, Montclair and Glen Ridge in Essex County and Clifton and Woodland Park in Passaic County. He was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1977 and 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 sang in July 2009 for the President of the United States at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and kicked off the Berkeley Summer Concert Series by singing the National Anthem. 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. 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

Essex County’s Annual Irish Heritage Celebration is one of several cultural observances hosted by the County Executive.