Ellen Sweeney
Ellen
Mary Sweeney (nee Caron) was the oldest of six children born
to Doris (nee Freeley) from Gurteen Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
and Patrick Caron originally from Cloonmaul, Co. Roscommon.
She was born in Newark, reared in Belleville. She attended
St. Peter's Grammar School and Our Lady of Good Counsel High
School. After high school, she worked for ITT as an
executive secretary. During her childhood, she and her
family traveled several times to Ireland by ship to visit
grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. One of those trips
took place at the end of her senior year of high school
during which she was presented her diploma by
the Captain aboard the RMA Mauretania on a voyage to
Ireland.
Ellen had a great appreciation of Irish culture, music, literature, art and values. Her love of all things Irish brought her to the dances at McGovern's Tavern in Newark. It was there that she met Hugh. They were married in 1959, and started their life together in West Orange. Three years later they bought their first and only house in Bloomfield, NJ where they raised their five children.
Ellen worked as a secretary at a small law firm, Gateway Insurance, Operating Engineers Local 68, a printing company in West Orange, and Blarney Woolen Mills. She was a member of the Women of Irish Heritage and the Irish American Society of the Oranges. In 2012 Ellen was honored to be selected as a Deputy Grand Marshal of the West Orange Saint Patrick's Day parade.
Ellen lived out her retirement in Bloomfield, enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her ten grandchildren. She and Hugh were regular spectators at their grandchildrens' activities. Ellen was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years in 2005. She joined him ten years later, passing away in January of 2015.
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Hugh Sweeney
Hugh Daniel Sweeney was the sixth of eight children born to
Nora (nee Conway) from Herbertstown, County Limerick, and
John Sweeney from Portsalon, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
He was born in Newark and lived in several houses in the Roseville section of town. He attended St Rose of Lima Grammar School and later graduated from St Benedicts Prep. His father was a bus driver and mother a homemaker who dabbled in real estate.
Hugh was drafted into the army and served his country during the Korean War. He was stationed in Europe and was honorably discharged after two years. He returned home, his family now living in Glen Ridge and became a Glen Ridge police officer. After a year or two he decided to go to college. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting three years later.
Always having a great love of his heritage, Hugh joined the St Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band and became a bagpiper. The band practiced at McGovern’s Tavern in Newark and it was at a dance at McGovern’s that he met the love of his life Ellen Mary Caron. They were married at St Peters Church in Belleville in 1959 and immediately started a family. After five years and five kids they were living in Bloomfield in the only house they would ever buy.
Hugh's work life consisted of working for several construction related companies such as SGB and Safety Scaffolds. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 15 for many years. Later in life he was the maintenance man at Castle Ridge, a town house development in East Hanover.
Hugh was blessed with ten grandchildren and spent many wonderful days with them at school activities and family functions. He lived out his last days in his own home and passed away peacefully Labor Day weekend in September of 2005
