Irish Person of the year, John Colleran- 1995

John was born in Galway City, Ireland, and was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers , Co. Galway and Newbridge College Co. Kildare.  He graduated in 1954, and in 1972 received his BSA from Univ. of N.Y.

John emigrated to the U.S. Dec. 8, 1956.  Upon arrival from Ireland he went to the fundraiser for an Irish Priest in Croke Park, N.Y..  There he met Nora McDonagh of Swinfort Co. Mayo, Ireland/  didn't see her for six months.  The rest is history, they married June 1958 and lived in N.Y. City and Long Island 1958 to 1979.

He joined American Airlines in New York in 1961 as an accounting clerk, is now a 34 year veteran with them and his current position is Manager Customer Service Delivery Project for the Sabre Travel Info.  Network.  He moved with the company to Lake Success on Long Island in 1972, then moved all the accounting functions to Tulsa, Okla. in 1979.  In 1986 he moved to Dallas to join the Finance Dept. of Sabre, the computerized reservation system.

John & his wife have been dedicated members of any Irish Group wherever they lived.  You saw them everywhere no matter how large or small.  In Dallas John held various positions including President of the IAS.  He was Founder and Race Director of the Dallas Shamrock Run (the largest 1st year run in Dallas History with 2500 runners)/  2nd year had 4300 runners and raised a lot of money for the Downtown parade thru Sponsorships obtained.  He was instrumental in bringing the London Irish All Girls Pipe Band to the St. Patrick's Day Parade, also in having 12 additional high school bands in the Parade.

He arranged with the Irish Tourist Board to have the Shannon Castle Entertainers for the St. Patrick Day Festivities.  This included also a Major gathering of both Industrial and Political heads of Dallas to view both Tourism and industrial opportunities in Ireland.  He arranged a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and these leaders.  He also arranged for a special greeting from the first woman President of Ireland, Mary Robertson, to be played at our St. Patrick's Dance.  This was first run in the U.S.  In Dallas that night, due in part to Dallas's having involvement in promoting Irish ness.

John was a long standing member of the Knights of Columbus, N.Y. Okla. and Texas was a former Grand Knight of Claremore Chapter, Okla.  He was a member of the I.A.C. Kings Park, N.Y. and founding member & Pres. of Tulsa I.A.S, and Founder of the Tulsa Irish Cultural Society

John & Nora have three children and two grandchildren,.  John Jr. is a Cardiologist with Georgetown Univ.  Wash. D.C. and is married.  James is a Sergeant with the Dallas Police, married & two children.  Noreen is with American Airlines and will be married at Knock Shrine in Ireland in April 1995.

John & Nora are members of St. Maria Coretti Parish, Arlington, and they live in Grand Prairie.  He is dedicated to bringing true Irish Culture wherever he goes and was willing to work his heart out for the end result.  Many of us know how hard he and his family worked and wish him God Speed during his year as out Irish Person of the Year.