Mark T. Ryan, DMD
Dr. Ryan is the immediate Past-President of the JFK Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). Dr. Ryan has actively participated in leadership roles in the AOH for over ten years and has most recently served as President of the AOH for 4 years (2019 – 2022). Under Mark’s leadership, membership of the AOH has stabilized and younger members have signed on and are now actively participating. He has encouraged the successful continuation of many longstanding AOH traditions such as the Communion Breakfast but with his own unique twist.
In his inaugural year as President, Mark’s mother, and father as well as his lovely wife Kathy were invited to attend CB69. It was there they heard Mark offer thanks and appreciation to all for continuing this proud tradition. His closing remarks that year revealed the joy in his heart as he said, “I love being Catholic, I love being Irish, I love being American.” The Communion Breakfast opened to women in 2020 under his leadership and has remained so ever since. Mark has consistently marched with the Hibernians in both the Bridgeport and Milford St. Patrick Day Parades.
Care for the less fortunate and those needing a hand up has been clearly demonstrated to his AOH brothers and others. He has been an active member of the West Haven Rotary for many years and has served as its President in 2015 and 2016. Under his leadership many groups and individuals have been helped by the Rotarians from the homeless to cancer victims. He has also served as president of the New Haven Dental Association (2020) while concurrently serving as AOH President. A busy man! Mark’s practice is in West Haven. Many GAC club members travel there to experience his supremely professional and gentle touch, not the typical description of a dentist.
Mark is a regular at the GAC, especially to watch the Gaelic games. He has Munster roots, as his mother’s and father’s people hail from Clare and Limerick, respectively. Mark is well known to his friends, and he has many, as a man who goes all in. I have known Mark since he was seventeen and I can honestly say I can think of no one more enthusiastic of his Irish heritage. I recommend Mark T. Ryan without reservation and will support him to the fullest as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick Day Parade.
Congratulations Grand Marshal Mark T. Ryan, DMD!
Past Parade Grand Marshals
2024 Jimmy Feeney
2023 Gerry Reidy
2020 & 2021 Mary Ann Doonan
2019 Peter Carroll
2018 Ann Marie Curtin and David Curtin
2017 Tom McCarthy
2016 Alanna Kabel
2015 Ted Lovely
2014 Terry O’Connor
2013 Ed & Peggy O’Connor
2012 Richard & Deborah Owens
2011 Frank Carroll
2010 Bob O’Keefe
2009 Peter Bellew
2008 Robert Curwen
2007 Patrick Daly
2006 John Carolan
2005 Connie & Art Beagan
2004 Robert Emmett O’Sullivan
2003 Dave Howe
2002 James O’Donnell
2001 Patrick Carolan
2000 John Smith
1999 Ann Migliore
1998 Patrick Boland
1997 Cathy Brannelly Austin & Maura Brannelly O’Mailley
1996 Kevin Conlisk
1995 Father Michael J. Flynn C.S.S.P.
1994 Dick Callahan
1993 Marge & Bob Sheehan
1992 William J. Carroll
1991 Mae King
1990 John Sullivan
1989 Joseph Walsh
1988 Frank McEvoy
1987 John F. McCarthy
1986 James “Bud” Keane
1985 Frank McGee
1984 Patrick Sherwin
1983 Martin Reidy
