RIP: Generous Mayo son leaves lasting mark on Irish-American community

The news of the recent passing of Tom Concannon in Yonkers, New York, revived memories for me of my first ever visit to New York in 1983.

It was like stepping into another world and that visit came just a few weeks after the closing of the Western Journal in Ballina where I started my years with the provincial press here in Mayo.

Tom Concannon (86) was a proud Mayo man from Ballybane, Brickens, and was a second cousin of mine. His grandmother was born in the same house as where I was born in Cloonmore, just over three miles from Kiltimagh.

He was born on February 27, 1939, the son of the late William and Cecelia (Morley) Concannon.

Tom immigrated to the US in 1960 and along with his brothers worked for the family business, Morley’s Supermarket on Yonkers Avenue, and later acquired it from their uncle.

Tom, along with his brothers ran the business until their retirement.

It was located close to Rooney’s Yonkers Raceway and was a good ‘stand’ in an area that had a large Irish population in those times.

Such was their popularity that they also opened a number of other stores around the general region.

Indeed, another cousin, Michael (Mickey) Morley from Magheramore, Knock, and former St Colman’s and Claremorris footballer, established his own business with his wife Ellen nearby at Lake Avenue, Yonkers.

Tom was a genial son of Mayo who along with his brothers John and Liam, became such an integral part of Irish-American life in the Yonkers and New York region over the years.

They were exceptionally kind and helpful to many arrivals from Mayo and the west of Ireland, especially during the 1980s, and provided many with excellent advice and work opportunities during a decade when things were not great back ‘home’.

The Concannon family loved their many visits home to Mayo and Tom even spent some time in the Brickens back in August of this year.

They never forgot the home land and the chains that bind Irish people in such a powerful way to the county of their birth.

Their success was a friendship shared with their neighbour, Austin Delaney from Brickens, who carved out his own special niche in the hearts of so many Irish and their friends in New York through his popular establishments, Rosie O’Grady’s saloons in Midtown, Manhattan, and the lovely Harbour Lights Restaurant at the South Street Seaport. Austin died back in 2009.

The Aisling Irish Centre in Woodlawn, a meeting point for the local Irish community and their American-born children, was among those leading the tributes to Tom, expressing gratitude for his kindness, support and generosity to the Centre and the ethos it represents in the community life of the region.

Bernadette Philbin, New York and Cloverhill, Ballinrobe, said Tom was an absolute gentleman: “Many a check (cheque) he cashed for us Irish when we came to NY in the 80’s & 90’s and never a bother doing so. Thank you for being there for us, Tom.”

Brickens native, Sean Hession, who now resides in Florida, said he had great memories of visiting Morley’s supermarket in Yonkers when I came to America. “The first question from Tom would be ‘any news from Brickens?’

Eileen Donaghy-Lilly said Tom was a lifelong friend and neighbor to them in Yonkers.”We will miss our chats, especially about Mayo and football.”

Eamon Delaney recalled how Tom was their neighbour in Ballybane: “He worked with my father before leaving for America. My father and mother always spoke highly of Tom as a great worker and friend.

"Tom was a generous, kind, hardworking and quiet gentleman who welcomed me to New York 40 years ago and gave me a job in Morley’s and helped me in every way.

"He enjoyed going for a pint and discussing what was happening back in Ireland and, of course, Ballybane. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.”

Tom was a communicant of St John the Baptist Church until his passing. He was very supportive of his local church and various parish activities that were so close to his generous heart.

The funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint John the Baptist Church, 670 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, and Tom was laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, New York.

Tom, who was predeceased by his brothers John Luke (Ballybane) and Liam, will be sadly missed and remembered with much affection by his sisters, Sr Mary, Eve Nestor and Della Walsh as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, relatives, and so many close and dear friends.