Memorium

Drum Sgt. Mike Reedy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime Bandsmen and Senior Drum Sgt. Mike Reedy. Mike passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019, with his family by his side. Mike was a proud member of The New York City Pipes & Drums for nearly 30 years. After proudly serving the US Army, Mike had an amazing 25 year career in the NYPD starting in the 9th Pct. in 1973, and finishing his career as a Homicide Detective in the 10th Pct. Upon retirement, Mike continued his law enforcement journey working another 20yrs with the Manhattan DAs Office of Special Narcotics, as a Senior Rackets Investigator. Mike’s life long drumming career began many years before entering the band where he played in the US Army Band. He also took lessons with Andy White, who played with the Beatles.

Mike is survived by his wife Patty, Daughter’s Meghan & Colleen Reedy. Service information is as follows:

Drummer Donnie James

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of senior Drummer Donnie James. Donnie passed away on Monday January 14, 2019 with his family by his side. Donnie was a proud member of The New York City Pipes & Drums for nearly five decades and of the Emergency Service Unit Truck 9 where he retired from in 1982. He was one of the first bandsmen most of the new pipers would meet upon entering the band, and probably one of the most photographed member of the band with his quintessential smile.

Donnie is survived by his wife Eileen, son Donal, Daughter’s Kathleen, Tara & Patricia and their husbands and 8 grandchildren. Service information is as follows:

Piping Instructor Ed McKenna

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time bandsmen and Piping Instructor Edward M. McKenna, on December 23, 2018. Beloved husband of the late Kathleen. Loving father of James, Edward, John, Daniel, Ellen, & Brendan. Cherished grandfather of Kelly, Kristen, Ryan, Kaitlin, Maggie, Grace, Terrance, Meaghan, Michael & Shannon and great-grandfather of three. Ed was one of the most influential and prolific pipers in the Metro New York area and beyond. His transformative style has had an everlasting imprint on the piping world.

Ed was the band’s piping instructor putting his first class out on the street in 1991. As our instructor, Ed worked with the different levels of piping with patience and always a story from the old days. His knowledge and experience were instrumental in helping the band reach grade 3 in competition. Ed severed in the United Sates Army and was a Long Island Rail Road conductor and proud member of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums. Our condolences go out to the McKenna Family.

Friends may visit at the New Hyde Park FH 506 Lakeville Road New Hyde Park, N.Y. Wed. 7pm-9:30pm & Thurs. 2-4:30pm & 7-9:30pm. Funeral Mass Friday 10:15 am at Sacred Heart Church in Merrick. Interment at Calverton National Cemetery. www.nhpfh.com

Piper Dan Danaher

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Piper Dan Danaher. Dan was a member of The New York City Pipes & Drums for over fifty years. He made the most of his time in the band serving as Bandmaster, Assistant Bandmaster and member of countless committees. He also enjoyed numerous band trips to Ireland and the well-attended Piper’s Ball Weekend in upstate NY. His love of Irish music led him to become good friends with The Wolfe Tones.

A Bronx native, Dan joined the police department in 1957, working in the 42nd Precinct, 3^rd Division and Bronx Homicide. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and a day of golf. His friends will surely miss sharing a pint (or two) with him. Dan is predeceased by his wife, Maureen, and is survived by his children Lorraine and Dan Junior and grandchildren.

: The Band appeared on Sesame Street, Finbar, Nugent, Danaher,Big Bird, Minogue, Fahey and Papa Joe Collins.

: around the table Johnson, Ambrose, Tansey, Connell, Reilly, Minogue,Calderon, Danaher, Vize,McCarthy(?) Newman

: around the table Johnson, Ambrose, Tansey, Connell, Reilly, Minogue,Calderon, Danaher, Vize,McCarthy(?) Newman

PM Edward T Minogue

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former PM Edward T. Minogue on May 7, 2018. Ed was a Ret. Captain with the NYPD and former Pipe Major and band member for nearly five decades with the band. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones, after a very hard and long fought battle. Ed is survived by his lovely wife Barbara of 53 years and 3 adult daughters Barbara and Patrick McGee (bandsman), Marie and Lee Rosenkrantz, Linda and Jim Coughlan (bandsman) and 6 grandchildren.

Ed has made a lasting mark in the band as a Piper, Pipe Major, back to a Piper and Father-in-law. He was always a natural leader commanding the respect of the rank and file both within the NYPD and the Pipe Band. Ed gave nothing less than 100% and expected the same in return brining the band to new heights under his tutelage and leadership. Ed will be truly missed by his family and fellow bandsmen for his ability to listen and offer a solution to any situation.

Rest In Peace PM Edward Minogue

: The bos enjoy a nice day at Hunter Mountain. Looks like big Ed is giving the finger to someone.

: PBW Downington Ed Minogue, King Finbar and Tom Sullivan.

: PBW Weekend Committee – Doug Connell, Ed Nugent, Tom Wellington,John Fahey, Frank Calderon,Jack Leonard,Ed Maloney and Ed Minogue

: around the table Johnson, Ambrose, Tansey, Connell, Reilly, Minogue,Calderon, Danaher, Vize,McCarthy(?) Newman

: Ed, Phil Doug Ed and Denis at the bar in Keywest waiting for the sunset.

: Minogue and Nugent in DC

: Ed takes a break after fighting the 50 lb Cobia

: top – Finbar,Minogue,T. Sullivan, John Quinn, Calderon. Bottom Nugent, Boorman, Tansey, Collins

: Ed Minogue and Jim Reilly in D.C.

: Ed Mnogue, Bernie Cummings and Ed Nugent in Washington.

: The Band appeared on Sesame Street, Finbar, Nugent, Danaher,Big Bird, Minogue, Fahey and Papa Joe Collins.

: The Pipers’ Ball Weekend Committee.

: Competition Group 1980 L to R Mike Flaherty, Denis Boorman, Frank Calderon,Tom Wellington, Ed Nugent, Tom Sullivan, Ed Minogue

Patrolman/Senior Drum Sgt. Frank Calderon

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrolman/Senior Drum Sgt. Frank Calderon on January 25, 2018. Frank was of a tremendous character and a man that was always available to every member of the Band. Frank served his country in Korea and served in the NYPD. He joined the Pipes and Drums in 1961. Frank was a great man and loved a good meal with his friends and family. I know Frank was met by Finbar and the Band that has gone to heaven before him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan and the entire Calderon family. Rest In Peace our Bandsman Frank.

Pipe Major Thomas Sullivan

Words become useless when one attempts to explain the sentiments of this Band regarding the loss of one of our own, our brother, Tommy Sullivan.

Tommy was a son of this city, from Jackson Heights and St. Joan of Arc, a Marine veteran of Viet Nam who went on to have a stellar career with the NYPD. Deep down he would always be a Two-five cop and he later served with great distinction with Manhattan North Homicide. His work with the Detective Endowment Association was exemplary.

Sgt. Freddie Crockett

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bagpiper Freddie Crockett on July 26, 2017. Freddie, was a founding member of the New York City Transit Police Irish War Pipe Band in the mid 1960’s and was stalwart in the piping community. Fred, or Freddie as everyone called him, joined the NYPD Pipes and Drums after the merger of the three police departments in 1995. Freddie’s Irish wit and charm along with his vast experience in piping had a positive effect on the band. Retired Detective Sgt. NYPD, Intelligence Division/Gang Unit, U.S. Navy Veteran-Korea-USS Henley DD-762, founding member and first president of the NYPD Navy Association. Freddie will be truly missed but is now reunited with the love of his life Sophia and son

Drum Major Phil Thompson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Drum Major Phil Thompson on September 14, 2015. As a iconic member of the band, Phil joined in the 1970’s first as a member of the Color Guard and later as a Piper. In time he achieved the rank of Pipe Sgt. and then ultimately Drum Major, his true calling, when he took over after the passing of Finbar Devine, then the first and only Band Drum Major who had held the position for some 35 years.

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