I am a fourth generation Irishman whose great-grandfather came from Ireland, via Scotland, to New York City, and settled in Hoboken, N.J. My last name is most commonly found on the West Coast of Ireland.
My great-grandfather was an only child, and his son was an only child, who grew up in Hoboken. He always wanted a son of his to go to the engineering college on the hill, right on the Hudson river, looking over to New York City.
My grandfather had three sons and his oldest son did go to Steven's Institute of Technology. He graduated near the top of his class and went to work for a company that would hire Catholics. That was in 1945. Not all companies would hire Catholics at that time.
He was very successful and ended up being the CEO of a number of corporations. All were in the general area of the chemical industry. He served for 25 years on the Board of Trustees at Stevens, and the gymnasium is named after him. He once told me how much he enjoyed playing intramural basketball when he was a student.
His son, my older brother, also went there.
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