Cryan's Bids Farewell To Statue

On Friday, one of Cryan’s famed patrons left the building for the last time.  The Saint Patrick statue which had been in the corner of the local establishment will be moved to its final resting place in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum in East Hanover.  It had been stationed in Cryan’s restaurant since the closing of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in the Vailsburg section of Newark in July 2010.

“It’s a resemblance of our faith for the patrons of our restaurant,” said Cryan’s owner Jimmy Cryan.  “They have really enjoyed seeing it.”

Originally bought by Cryan’s father, the late John F. Cryan, the statue was donated to the church decades ago.  When Sacred Heart closed, the younger Cryan made sure the statue stayed with the family.  In addition, the statue has brought comfort to former parishioners of the church.   

“I was in the Parish since 1961, so it means a lot for me,” said Carol Lawrence, a former parishioner of Sacred Heart who came to bid the statue farewell.  “I thought it was very nice here.”

The night was more joyous than sad as many patrons enjoyed the traditional Irish feast of beef and ale.   At the end of the night, Jimmy Cryan led the bar in one final toast to "Himself” as a way to sad goodbye to a statue that has meant so much to him and Cryan’s.