CELEBRATING A CENTURY
I have had the privilege of celebrating two relatives as they reached the century of their birth. More interesting is that these relatives were a mother and her son: Delia Gantley O’Leary and her son Al.
Al O’Leary Marks His 100th Birthday
This celebration was more than just one day on the calendar. On his actual birthday, Al celebrated with some family members at Mass followed by a visit to the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival.
Also on his actual birthday, his Hibernian Brothers from across the country sang Happy Birthday on Facebook from the National Convention in Omaha. The following Thursday, the celebration continued at The Plank, where Al can be found most Thursdays playing the music he loves.
On Saturday July 25, the Cleveland Irish American community had a very special reason to celebrate as Alphonsus “Al” O’Leary marked his 100th birthday, honoring a remarkable century filled with family, faith, service, friendship, Irish heritage and, of course, music, at the West Side Irish American Club.
The day started out with Mass celebrated by a family friend that knew Al and his mother in Tipperary and now lives in New Orleans. Music was provided by Al and the many musicians he has played with for most of the past century.
Century of Change
Al belongs to the greatest generation. As a World War II Veteran, he answered the call from the country of his birth, America, while living in Ireland. This period was one of the most consequential periods in modern history.
Following the war, he came to Cleveland, where he built a life rooted in community and service. Al is proud of his Irish heritage and always willing to share it with others. Al and his wife Mary Celine McNamara shared their faith and heritage with seven daughters and two sons.
Community Involvement
Al is a proud member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has been a member for over fifty years and is still active today. He is also a proud Hibernian. The Boland/Berry Division #2 in Cleveland honored him with Division Lifetime Membership and the National Board recognized his birthday with a Special Resolution.
Al was a founding member of the United Irish Societies of Cleveland, the group that sponsors the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He is an active Delegate today and was honored as Grand Marshal.
He is active in the West Side Irish American Club, where you can find him playing music on the second Friday of the month in the Pub. Generations of members of the Irish Community of Cleveland know Al best for his sharing of the music as one of the Cleveland Irish Musician.
With his accordion and harmonica, Al has helped keep the traditional sounds of Ireland alive in Northeast Ohio. His music has brought people together in Irish clubs, pubs, gatherings and celebrations, passing Ireland’s musical traditions from one generation to the next.
In addition to his love of music, he loves Gaelic sports. He was instrumental in bringing Hurling and Camogie to Cleveland and Northern Ohio. Akron honors him with a Tournament in his name every fall.
Gratitude
Al’s story is about much more than reaching the extraordinary milestone of 100 years. It is the story of a veteran who served his country; a Hibernian dedicated to Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity; a Pioneer member who helps with the United Irish Societies and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade; an Irish American who understood that heritage survives when it is shared; and a musician whose accordion has helped provide the soundtrack to Cleveland’s Irish-American community for generations.
As family, friends, and members of the Irish American community celebrate this remarkable occasion, we offer Al our gratitude for a century of memories, Irish music, Gaelic sports and for the traditions he has helped preserve.
May the music continue, may the stories continue to be told, and may the generations that follow always remember
the remarkable Irish American legacy of Al O’Leary.
