Brothers Chosen To Lead St. Patrick's Day Parade On Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — Brothers John and Raymond O'Sullivan have been tapped to lead the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Miller Place-Rocky Point on March 16, the Friends of St. Patrick announced this week.

The brothers are descendants of the parade's founder and first grand marshal, John M. Sullivan, and their father, James P. O'Sullivan, an Irish immigrant from County Kerry, was grand marshal of the parade 60 years ago in 1965.

Irish roots go back on both sides, as the family of their mother, Lorraine, whose maiden name is Doyle, hail from Armagh.

Both John and Raymond grew up among other community members who volunteered their time with the Friends of St. Patrick, and watched their father lead the organization. They have marched in the parade since they were children and became members of the organization in 2004 where they have held various positions over the years.

John, who lives in Ronkonkoma with his wife, Vita, and daughter, Teresa, and has been president since last year. Raymond, who lives in Miller Place with his wife, Allison, and children, Peter and Katherine, served as president from 2020 to 2023.

The brothers' sister, Kathleen Jenne, and her family, live in Baldwinsville in upstate New York.