Fairfield residents named parade grand marshals

Peggy and Ed O'Connor of Fairfield, long active in promoting Irish-American culture in the area, have been named grand marshals of the 2013 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Their appointments were announced by the St. Patrick's Celebration Committee.

Married for more than 50 years, the O'Connors have lived in Fairfield more than 35 years and have been active in Fairfield's Gaelic American Club and other Irish cultural activities, the committee said in a news release.

Ed and Peggy O'Connor both were born in the Bronx, N.Y., to Irish immigrants -- his parents from County Roscommon and County Kerry, hers from County Fermanagh.

Ed O'Connor is a graduate of Fordham University and worked many years for Cheeseborough Ponds, retiring as vice president of sales, according to the release. He is a longtime member of the Gaelic American Club and co-founded the Gaelic American Glee Club, which has performed nationally and abroad, the committee said.

Peggy O'Connor is a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel College in White Plains, N.Y., and taught kindergarten in Fairfield schools for 26 years. She co-hosts the Sunday afternoon "Irish Melodies Program" on WVOF-FM, the Fairfield University radio station, and is a member of several Gaelic American Club committees and the Father John M. Conlisk Irish Scholarship Program.

The couple lived in New Jersey for 15 years before moving to Fairfield in 1975. They have four children and will celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary Sept. 17.