Gerry Toner Gerry Toner embodies “The American Dream” risen from humble beginnings tremendous success in business friend and confidant to politicants and entertainers great friend and family man born 1933 in Belfast, Northern Ireland evacuated during WWII to Lady Una Ross’s estate a different world of culture and privilege would forever shape the man he would become determined to gain access to this world started working at age 8 left school at age 13 to work to help support his family age 16 joined Merchant Marines travelled world before joining the Cunard Liner, The Queen Mary. During this time his strong work ethic ... his sense of adventure led him to dream of success in America. In 1962 he and new bride Cathy immigrated to the United States with nothing more than pocketful of dreams hopes of a better life Gerry worked The Stork Club, Copa Cabana and the Rainbow Room. In 1963 he opened his first pub the Green Derby. He had a breakthrough idea opened the first Irish singing pub in New York City, The John Barleycorn, introducing New York audiences to Jesse Owens, Paddy Noonan, The Irish Rovers. went on to build an empire of over 12 pubs including Flanagans, The Abbey Tavern and Kennedy’s a hotel in Ireland various real estate holdings. Gerry believed in promoting Irish culture causes supporting the local community sponsored concerts at Madison Square Garden Carnegie Hall host to Irish celebrities like Peter O’Toole Maureen O’Hara recognized for his support of Irish and Irish American causes as well as philantrophic efforts helped countless fellow immigrants in New York. He is a member of the Knights of Saint Patrick, Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick New York Athletic Club. He resides in Garden City with his wife Cathy father of three daughters four grandchildren. His good friend John Hume described him best “Gerry is a very talented man with incredible integrity achieved success in his life yet always knows how to be a true friend and gentleman”.