Club News | Sons of Erin

Scholarship Applications	Scholarship applications are available now, under list of forms. Must be returned by mail only, postmarked no later than March 31st.
Billy Buzzee Irish Night	Billy Buzzee Irish Night will be held on Saturday March 7th, $25 per person, tickets are available at the club now. Corned beef and cabbage dinner, music by Jimmy McArdle and friends, cash bar and raffle. Doors open at 6 PM, dinner at 7 PM. Come and meet our 2026 Colleen, her court and our award recipients!
Hall or Pavilion Rentals	To rent our facilities please contact our Bar Manager, Brian Colton, by phone at (413) 537-0490.
2026 Colleen and her Court	Our 2026 Colleen is Reese Elinor-Janet O'Connell! Reese is 17 years old and a senior at Hampshire Regional High School. She is employed part time at Westwood Restaurant and Pub. Reese is captain of the varsity lacrosse team and editor for the yearbook committee. She is also a member of the peer buddies club where she teaches elementary school students through an enrichment program. She is also a teacher’s assistant for the occupational therapist at Norris Elementary School. In her free time, Reese enjoys playing lacrosse, tutoring, working out, photography, travel, and baking. After high school, Reese plans on attending Johnson and Wales University to receive her masters or doctorate degree in occupational therapy. She hopes to pursue a career as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Our 2026 Court: Maggie Leen - Maggie is 18 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. Maggie is a Drum Major for the Westfield High School Band. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Maggie is also a member of Key Club, the Student Assistant Leadership Team, and the Swim and Dive Team. In her free time, Maggie enjoys listening to and playing music, spending quality time with loved ones, volunteering for the community, and playing games that challenge her such as problem-solving and strategy games. Upon graduation, Maggie plans on attending college and pursuing a degree in psychology. She would like to work in the psychology field in order to help others in whatever they might be struggling with. Angelica Racette - Angelica is 17 years old and a junior at Southwick Regional High School. She is employed part time by Fancy Bagels. Angelica is a member of the National Honor Society and varsity lacrosse team. She was also a member of the varsity field hockey team which won the Western Mass Class C Championship title this past Fall. She participates in Drama Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and Mock Trial. Angelica was accepted to represent Western Mass in the Global Glimpse Program and will be going to Panama to help children and families in local villages. Angelica’s interests include Law, especially Criminal Defense and the U.S. Army. In her free time, she enjoys playing lacrosse, reading, writing, acting, baking, shopping, and fashion. Upon graduation, Angelica hopes to attend an Ivy League School such as Yale or Brown and major in pre-law with a minor in psychology. She would also like to join Army ROTC. She would also like to continue her lacrosse career whether as part of a club or college team. Savanna Mazeika - Savanna is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed part time at Tobiko Sushi. Savanna is a member of the National Honor Society, a high honor roll student, participates in Letters for Rose, and volunteers at the Westfield Soup Kitchen. She is currently training to become a CNA and will receive her certification in May. Savanna also serves as a biomedical and STEM mentor as a classroom assistant. In her free time Savanna enjoys lettering, hiking, reading, crafting, and participating in active social and community issues like protests. She also enjoys volunteering with the elderly to help them perform simple tasks. Savanna has been accepted into a competitive law program at Siena College where she will receive her Juris Doctorate in 5 years. She would like to eventually become an Immigration Lawyer in order to help protect those who cannot protect themselves. Giara Curran - Giara is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed part time by Amelia Park. Giara is a National Honor Society member and takes college classes at Westfield State University through the Promise Program. She participates in Letters for Rose, Reshaping Reality, and President of the Multicultural Club. She is also a Student Council Representative, Key Club member, and captain of the lacrosse team. Giara enjoys playing field hockey, lacrosse, and ice skating, as well as going to the gym. She also enjoys participating in her church’s youth group and going on mission trips with her church. Upon graduation, Giara plans on attending Gordon College where she plans on pursuing a double major in accounting on a CPA track, and finance. She was offered a spot at Gordon on both the women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams. She also plans on joining the Air National Guard.
2026 Billy Buzzee "St. Pat on the Back" Award	Congratulations to our Billy Buzzee St. Pat on the Back award winner James M. Kane! Jimmy was born and raised in Westfield, the son of Ann and Thomas Kane. In November 1977, he became the third charter member of the Sons of Erin, playing a key role in establishing the club and bringing Irish culture to life in Westfield. He was one of six individuals present at the organization’s very first meeting of the origins. Over the years, he served two years as treasurer and spent nearly two decades on and off as the club’s manager. Never one to shy away from hard work, James helped build the pavilion and generously gave his time to both remodels of the original and current club buildings. James graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in 1973 and went on to earn degrees from Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. He dedicated 36 years to the Westfield Fire Department, rising through the ranks to Deputy Chief before retiring in 2016. He has been happily married for 44 years to his wife, Rosie (Burrage) Kane, whom he considers beautiful, talented, and wonderfully patient. He is the proud father of four children - James and his partner Jenna, Dan and his wife Lindsey, Courtney, and Tim and his husband Ian - and the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Connor, Will, Harper, Colin, and Jack - and two grandpups Winnie and Frank. James enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and is rarely idle. He is always tackling a home improvement project or lending a helping hand to a friend - or even a stranger - in need. James also enjoys traveling with his brothers and nephews to various MLB stadiums, though his favorite place to visit is Ireland, where he still has many cousins and family. He and Rosie love spending time on the coast of Maine whenever they can.
2026 Parade Marshal	Rebecca Hart is our 2026 Parade Marshal, a big congratulations to Rebecca! Rebecca was born in Providence, RI, she moved to Southwick as a child. Rebecca graduated from Southwick High School, and earned her degree in Public Administration from Roger Williams University. She has resided in Westfield since 2013. She has two children which are her pride and joy, Chase Ryan (12) and Emilia Maeve (7). Her Irish roots run deep on her fathers side; the O’Falveys are from County Kerry. Rebecca has worked for the Westfield Food Pantry as Executive Director since 2009. Under her leadership operations have grown to include many services such as the food truck, which operates as a mobile soup kitchen, and served 8,000 healthy and hot meals in 2025. Also, home delivery of groceries, the annual teen giving, which “adopts” and provides basic needs and wants during the holiday season, now 11 years strong, established a Free Little Food Pantry which provides access to food 24/7, established a community garden at Westfield State University, and much more. In addition to managing the daily operations of the Westfield Food Pantry, Ms. Hart cooks all the food served on the food truck. Prior to her role as Executive Director of the Westfield Food Pantry, she was employed by the Town of Southwick, working at the Senior Center. She was also awarded the Volunteer of the Year award by the American Red Cross, Westfield Chapter, the Above and Beyond award by the Westfield Public Schools for spearheading efforts to successfully raise $100,000 to build a new playground at Highland Elementary School, and was honored by the Westfield Woman’s Club in 2025 for her volunteerism and community involvement. When not at work, she delights in being a mom, is active in her parish, and school PTO.
2026 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year	Congratulations to our 2026 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year Paul Miller! Paul was born in Westfield to Therese (O'Connor) and Walter Miller in 1955 and lived in the Woronoco section of Russell until he was 10 when they moved to Westfield. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1973 and joined the Westfield Police Department in 1977 and attained a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. Paul retired in 2010 as Detective Lieutenant. Paul is married to Cyndy (Bowker) Miller and has one daughter, Meghan Kane, married to Patrick Kane. Interestingly, the award for Irish Woman of the year is named after Meghan's grandmother Dorothy Griffin and the Irish Man of the year award is named after Thomas M. Kane, Patrick's grandfather. Paul is "Bumpa" to three beautiful granddaughters, Kyle, Vivienne and Sloan. Paul joined the Sons of Erin in 1979 and has served on the Board of Directors for the better part of the past 16 years. Since retiring you can find Paul behind the bar twice a week! Congratulations Paul!
2026 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year	Congratulations to Rosemarie "Rosie" Hodgdon on being named the 2026 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year! Rosie was born and raised in southern Vermont the second in line of six children. She attended Readsboro VT elementary school and was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in North Adams in 1956 and received a medical secretary degree from Mt. Ida Junior College in Newton MA. Rosie moved to Westfield in 1975, is the mother of four children, Karen (deceased), Kevin, Bradley and Kimberly nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Rosie was employed at Noble Hospital for 25 years and has been volunteering there for the past 10 years. She's a member of Our Lady of Blessed Sacrement Church. Rosie is also a member of the American Legion 124 Auxiliary, the Slovak Club, Friends of Veteran Cemetery and of course, the Sons of Erin Women's Auxiliary. Rosie enjoys golfing, playing cards, reading, jigsaw puzzle and especially time with friends and family. She loves helping people and volunteering! Rosie can be seen often at the club making sandwiches, working outside and many other things to help anyone who needs it! Congratulations! .
Newsletter / Newsblast	The Club's conversion to an email format for our newsletter is ongoing. This conversion is a substantial savings to the Club in postage, printing and labor, as well as being an eco-friendly alternative. If you have not already done so, please send your email address to soewestfield@gmail.com to receive your newsletter online.
2026 Club Officers	2026 Club Officers President - Steve Griffin Vice President - Mike Kane Treasurer - Steve Burke Sgt. at Arms - Kevin Fitzgerald Recording Secretary - Megan Sweet Membership Secretary - Dennis Moran Board of Directors Jim Casey Dermot Hurley Tom Johnson Mike McMahon Bridget Rogers Steve Witkus
Quote of the Month	“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” — Princess Diana ☘️
General Membership Meetings	The Club's General Membership meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon. Meetings are usually suspended for the summer months of June, July and August.
Commemorative Bricks	The Building Committee is selling Commemorative Bricks that will be used to pave a "Memorial Walkway" leading to the 911 Memorial at the Club. These bricks can be inscribed in the memory of a departed family member, loved one, or with your own name. The Walkway enhances the beauty of the 911 Memorial dedicated in the memory of Daniel Trant, Tara Creamer and Brian Murphy. Cost is $75.00 per brick. Forms are located at the Club and here under "List of Forms".
Commemorative Veteran's Coins	The Club has created a Commemorative Veteran Coin to be issued to the Club's Irish-American Veterans. You are also eligible to receive one on behalf of a deceased family member that was a veteran. The coins can be personalized with an engraving at your own expense. Please contact Dermot Hurley to receive your coin.
Club Dues	General Membership - $70.00, Seniors Over 62 - $35.00. Women's Aux - $35.00, Seniors Over 55 - $17.50. There is a $10.00 late fee for payment after February 1st. An initial one-time fee of $100.00 for new general members will be assessed. This fee is waived for new members between the ages of 21-35.