IRISH MAN OF THE YEAR

Born in New Brunswick, NJ on August 26, 1961, he is the second of seven children born to Vincent and Ann. He grew up on Gerard Avenue in Old Bridge, attended St. Ambrose School, Jonas Salk Middle School and graduated from Madison High School in 1979.

After leaving school, he joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS LY Spear. On his discharge from the Navy he returned to Old Bridge and started his own contracting business, KW Construction. In 1986, he married his lovely wife, Catherine Murphy. The family of two became a family of four with the birth of sons, Sean and Ryan.

In 1990 he joined the FSOS and since then has been involved in numerous club projects. The list of projects is endless but here are a few, The renovation of the bar, building of the storage shed, adding new siding to the building, renovation of the lounge, construction of the Pavilion. The project to repair both bathrooms had him working 10-12 hours a day at the club. Kevin was instrumental in re-roofing the building and installing the new A.C. System at substantial savings to our club. It was Kevin that started what has become known as the Annual Pig Roast, by staying overnight and cooking pigs in a barbecue pit.

Throughout all of this Kevin found time to serve on the FSOS Executive Board. He served first as a Keeper, then as Vice-President and eventually President for 2006 - 2007. Being an elected officer for most of his time with the FSOS he was ineligible for this prestigious award. In what is seen as an award that’s  long overdue to a man that has given so much of himself to our organization, I give you the FSOS Irishman Of The Year, Kevin Wyer.

Article by Larry McGrath

2008 Irishman of the Year

Congratulations to Butch Konopka, "Irishman of the Year" pictured here with President John Wagle.

And how do you get to be Irishman of the year after just a few years (he joined in 2001) as a member of the Friendly Sons? You take to heart the fact that a friend sponsored you into the club and at the time of doing so he most likely said that you would be an "Asset" to the club. What's an asset? One definition of "Asset" is "A valuable quality or person". Butch has lived up to and indeed surpassed that definition.

He is a quiet and unassuming man, loved by family and friends alike and respected by all. He takes to heart his responsibility as a Friendly Son. His easy smile and quiet demeanour let you know instantly that he's a nice guy. But that's only part of the picture that is Butch. He is so much more than that, though you'd never see it unless you looked behind the scenes, that are the everyday workings of the FSOS. More comfortable in the background and rarely in the foreground, he does what needs to be done. Tiling, plumbing, roofing or indeed any task at hand, his only requirement is that it will benefit the Friendly Sons.

For all his efforts, for all his work, we are eternally grateful. And yes, it has to be said, He is truly an "Asset", he's the real deal.