The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore grew out of a conversation between Jerry Burke and Ed Moran on the 1973 NJ Chamber of Commerce “Train-ride to Washington.”
Inspired by the success of the Friendly Sons in Essex County, they wondered if the Hudson County transplants to the shore area might not support a group of their own. After two preliminary meetings to explore interest in the idea, a key meeting was called in the fall of 1973 at The Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.
With attendance by Jack Kraft, Jim Desmond, Joe McMahon, Denis McCarthy, Pete Morley, Burke and Moran, the decision was made to have a dinner in March 1974. With the addition of James F. Feeney, the group became incorporated “to provide social and recreational opportunities for its members.” The first annual dinner was held at the Sea Girt Inn honoring Judge M. Raymond McGowan as “Irishman of the Year.”
