Rosaleen and Connell Furey

EMERALDS OF THE YEAR:  2008

 Rosaleen (Casey) Furey was born in Bray Co. Wicklow, Ireland to John and Mary Casey.  Rosaleen is the 5^th oldest of 8 children, including 5 sisters and 3 brothers.  Rosaleen always loved Irish music and dance.  Connell “Connie” Furey was born in Lettertrain, Co Donegal, the 5^th child in a family of 12, including 4 brothers and 8 sisters.  He was educated in the National School in Letterfad, Co. Donegal.  As a young man he enjoyed Gaelic sports such as football, handball and hurling, but also was a keen ceili dancer and loved Irish music.  The plot thickens.

 While working in Northern Ireland upon completion of school, Rosaleen spied a dashing young man who was a lovely dancer.  Connie pretended to play it cool but was completely smitten and they were inseparable.  Emigration to America and its limitless possibilities was seen as a way to achieve their dreams, so in 1960 Connie arrived in New York and in 1961, Rosaleen joined him.  She soon secured employment with a finance company and Connie began his career with the New York Telephone Company which lasted for 33 years. 

 On December 1, 1962 Rosaleen and Connie Furey were married in St. Jerome’s Church in the Bronx.  The Furey family moved to Pawling in 1975 where they raised their children, Nuala and Conall.  Nuala is married to Michael Donnelly and they have two lovely children, Casey and Michael and reside in Brewster, NY.  Conall is married to Kimberly Johnson and they have a wonderful daughter Brianna and live in Atlanta, GA.  Needless to say, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree and the Irish dancing talents of her parents became apparent in Nuala who successfully competed for many years in Feisannas.  Both Connie and Rosaleen are proud parents and grandparents and have a wallet of pictures to prove it.

 Rosaleen soon became involved in the new community and when Nuala and Conall finished school, she secured employment with Guide Communications.  Rosaleen proved to be a valuable and versatile employee and a major asset to the publication where she was employed for 29 years.  Not to be out done, Connie soon became a constructive presence in his new community involving himself in the Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 545, as well as a member of the Comhaltas, Michael Coleman branch.  Connie now enjoys playing golf and both of them still love to execute their favorite dance, the waltz.

 Rosaleen and Connie joined the Emerald Association of Putnam County 14 years ago where they cultivated many friendships due to their outgoing nature.  In addition to their hard work and diligence, they also served as Chairpersons of dances and worked on various committees, including the Emerald annual Feis.  They are both grateful and humbled to be honored as Emeralds of the Year and happy to share this wonderful and exciting award with all their family and friends.