connect 2018 • 45 Loretta, Chairman Emeritus of The Ireland Funds America, led the 257th New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on March 17, 2018. Over 100 marching bands led the annual celebration in NYC as luminaries from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to NY Governor Andrew Cuomo marched the traditional route. Loretta rode in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by family. Staff and supporters of The Ireland Funds joined over 150,000 participants in marching with the celebration. John Sharkey, Board Director of The Ireland Funds America and Founding Member of The Ireland Funds WineGeese Society, passed away on June 25, 2018. John was active with The Ireland Funds attending countless events, WineGeese Society trips and annual Ireland Funds Conferences. John was the Chairman of Kane, Saunders & Smart and later joined MCI retiring in 2000 at the conclusion of the MCI and WorldCom merger. John and his wife Helen’s philanthropic interests touched numerous charitable causes including The Ireland Funds, the Flax Trust in Belfast and the Glucksman Ireland House in NYC. John had a deep love for all things Irish and shared that passion with his friends at The Ireland Funds. He will be deeply missed. LORETTA BRENNAN GLUCKSMAN Serves as Grand Marshall of the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade R.I.P. JOHN SHARKEY December 9, 1936 – June 25, 2018