About Us

Harry Sexton - President
4th generation Arizonan married to another 4th generation Arizonan, has 5 kids and has been a Phoenix Police detective for 15 years now.

Family history: original name O'Sexton (the 'O' got dropped sometime after arrival in the U.S.) from county Tipperary. First Sexton came to North Carolina in late 1600's (indentured servitude most likely). By mid 1700's the family was now bigger and living in the 'wilds' of north-central Tennessee. My great grandfather was born in Tennessee, but raised in Missouri he then migrated to the Arizona territory in the very early 1900's to - as he put it - 'make his way in the world'. Reason for being involved with the parade committee is two-fold. In tracing my family history I discovered my Irish roots and began to learn about and have a great deal of interest in all things Irish. Then from a professional standpoint the Phoenix. Police Department wanted a liaison to the local Irish community and so I immediately volunteered.

Mary Moriarty - Vice President and Faire Chairperson
I am from New York City and moved to the Valley in 1995 when my husband Jack retired from the Police Department. My mother was from Donegal and my father's parents were from Cork and Kerry. I grew up in a very Irish house so it was natural to get involved with the Irish Community when we moved here. I joined the Irish Foundation of Arizona and then the Parade Committee. I started as Assistant Treasurer and then Co-Chaired the Faire. I have Chaired the Faire since 2003. I have worked at The Irish Cultural Center since September 2003.

Julie O'Mahar - Treasurer
Julie was raised in Milwaukee, WI. In 1978 she visited her mother, who retired in Sun City and her sister, Maureen and loved the climate and scenery. In 1979 her family moved here. She became involved in the Irish community through helping her sister Maureen who was at that time the editor of the Desert Shamrock, an Irish Newspaper, dedicated to reporting the news of interest to the Irish community here in the valley. After the death of her sister, Maureen, she took over as the editor of the Desert Shamrock and is the Executive Director of E.R.I.N., Executive Resources for Irish Networking, a business and professional organization. The O'Mahar's are 4th generation Irish and have traced their ancestry to Co. Carlow. In 2002 Julie joined the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and every year there after has helped with the program for the Colleen Pageant and the Parade.

John Corcoran - Board Member
John was born in Castle Maine, Co. Kerry, Ireland and immigrated to Chicago as a young lad of 17. He is a founding member of the Parade committee and very active in all Irish activities. As Chairperson of the Parade, he has the responsibility for all correspondence dealing with parade entries. The parade as it exists today is the fruit of his labor.

Bob Joyce - Board Member
Bob Joyce is a New England native from the Connecticut shoreline community of Waterford, which borders New London. He and his wife Carole (of 44 years) were raised in a strong Irish Catholic community and were involved in Irish activities in the Catholic schools and community for years. After 21 years of service and retiring from General Dynamics/Electric Boat. Co. Navel Shipyard, Bob was offered a position as a nuclear engineer with Bechtel Power Corp. Bechtel relocated Bob, his wife, daughter and twin sons to Phoenix in 1981. Bob has been an active member of the B.P.O.E for forty years, he was a former Harbor Commissioner and involved in maritime activities. Since moving to Arizona, he has been an active member with his family at St. Francis Xavier Church, a former Maricopa County precinct committeeman, a member of the Celtic Bar Association serving as their statutory agent, and active in the Irish Foundation of Arizona, serving as Vice President (2004) and President 2005-2006. Now retired, Bob enjoys golf, time with his grandchildren, international travel and makes trips with his wife every 2-3 years to the Emerald Isle. A special memory: The Joyce's celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary with close family friends in County Meath. Bob's parents are from Galway and County Roscommon, he is tracing his family roots as far back as 1810 when relatives on his Father's side came to the states. Bob has been an active member of the parade and faire committee for the past several years and would like to keep promoting the importance of Irish Cultural Events.

Harry Carroll - Board Member
Harry Carroll was born in Middletown, New York and attended Our Lady of Lourdes grammar school and Brooklyn Preparatory High School and then chose to finish his education at Marist College located in Poughkeepsie, New York. In his senior year, he enlisted in the Delayed Enlistment Program and after graduation in 1969 he joined the Army ultimately graduating from Infantry Officer Candidate School and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and completed the Special Jump Master Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He left the Army in 1972 and moved to Phoenix where he joined the Phoenix Police Department and graduated first in his class from the Police Academy. In 1973 he was awarded the Police Departments first Medal of Merit for outstanding courage and lifesaving. During his years with the Department, he held numerous positions in both patrol and detective divisions . He served on the board of P.L.E.A. (Phoenix Law Enforcement Association) for three terms and is still a member of P.L.E.A. and the Fraternal Order of Police. While carrying out his duties as a Police Officer he was asked to join the Army Reserves and he served as a Company Commander for the 348th Transportation Company for three years. He left the reserves in 1982 with the rank of Captain. Since his retirement from the Police Force in 1995, he has been active on several nonprofit boards especially those involved with the Irish Community. Harry served as Vice President of the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire Committee for two terms and as President for 4 terms. Harry is also a Trustee for the Irish Cultural Center and assists with the Arizona Colleen Pageant which his wife, Sandra chairs.

Sandra Carroll - Secretary
Born in Wichita, Kansas. Raised in Topeka, Kansas Graduated with a Bachelor in Education from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Member of Alpha Phi Sorority. Taught kindergarten, second, third, fourth and sixth grades in elementary schools in Kansas and Nebraska. Moved to Arizona in 1972 and assisted in starting the kindergarten program in the Alhambra Elementary School District. Graduated with a Master's Degree in Education from A.S.U. in 1974. Taught kindergarten, second and first in Alhambra and retired from teaching after 31 years in 1998. Member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education. While teaching, served as Vice President and President of AFT, a teachers union and served on many committees which worked to improve education within the district. After retirement, I decided to join my husband in his Irish activities. I joined the Parade Committee and subsequently was elected as Secretary for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire Committee and was appointed as Chairperson of the Colleen Pageant. I have held both positions for the past 5 years. My ancestry is German on my father's side and half German and half Irish on my mother's side.

Tom Murphy - Treasurer
Since 1980, Tom has been helping small businesses and their owners reduce taxes, avoid IRS problems, expand their business, increase profitability and plan for retirement. Tom has also been very active in the Irish community for many years. His grandparents hail from County Westmeath and County Longford.