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Ronnie Allen was born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, in January of 1930, to his loving
parents Robert and Mary Allen. He was one of nine children, God Bless his parents. Growing
up, Ronnie was an avid footballer and volunteer with the Irish Red Cross, Dundalk Branch. He
was unit officer and won the Ireland Presidents Trophy in 1957. His charitable prowess began
before he crossed the Atlantic, organizing dances and fundraisers for the Irish Red Cross.
In 1956, Ronnie met Elizabeth O’Connor at a Red Cross dance in Dublin. Ronnie immigrated to
America in 1959. He first lived in Central Islip where he got involved in the local Irish community
and formed the platform from which his American life and community would build. His courtship
with Elizabeth continued with letters through the post, which included a proposal. They married
in Dublin in 1963. Still with a dream of a life in America, they moved to Bay Shore and joined
St. Patrick’s Parish. They had six children Maire, Dermot, Kenneth, Brian, Patricia, and Rory.
Ronnie and Elizabeth knew the value of Catholic education and put them all through St.
Patrick’s Elementary School and St. John the Baptist High School.
Ronnie joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1959. He served as Division 1 president and
county president. He organized Gaelic Day, a celebration of Irish sport and culture, from 1963
through 1978. In 1976, he held a pageant at Gaelic Day saluting the 60 th anniversary of the
1916 Rising and Irish independence. Recognized for his leadership and participation in the
AOH, he was honored as Aide to the Grand Marshal in the 1976 New York City St. Patrick’s Day
Parade.
Ronnie and Elizabeth were very active fundraisers for St. Patrick Church and Elementary
School. Elizabeth organized parish dances for the hospitality center for many years. Ronnie
was the wind beneath her wings. Always highly regarded in the parish, they were chosen to
receive the St. Agnes Medal from the Diocese of Rockville Center.
After a 35-year career with Federated Department Stores, Ronnie was able to follow his true
passion of volunteerism and promotion of Irish cultural and Catholic faith. The same year of his
retirement, Monsignor Fagan, parish pastor, sponsored two houses on Cherry Street to be built
by Habitat for Humanity. Many parishioners, including Ronnie, volunteered to help with the
build. When the project completed the Habitat foreman asked Ronnie to join their regular
volunteer group. He became an active volunteer and board member for 15 years. In 2005, he
was part of the Suffolk County Habitat team that went down to New Orleans and joined
President Jimmy Carter’s Habitat Rebuild Team to help with the restoration after Hurricane
Katrina.
Ronnie is a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Bay Shore
Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. In 2005, he was honored as Grand Marshal
of the Bay Shore Parade. In 2023, he was awarded the Irish American of Distinction for District
11 at the Suffolk County’s First Irish Annual Heritage Day, thanks to Legislature Steve Flotteron.
One of Ronnie’s proudest achievements was forming the Hibernian Festival Singers in 1980.
They have sung nationally and internationally in many famous venues with many famous artists.
However, the venue they like best of all is St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore. For the last 36
years, as a fundraiser for the church, Ronnie has organized the St. Patrick’s Christmas Concert
with the choir and Broadway Stars performing to sold out audiences.