2025 Hibernian of the Year Chuck Parnow

Chuck was born to Mary (nee Tighe) Parnow and Charles Parnow, both of Irish heritage. He grew up in Union City, NJ. Moving to Wyckoff, NJ, for high school, he graduated from Ramapo Regional High School in 1980. He went on to college, attending Union College in Schenectady, NY, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics in 1984. At Union, he was a member of Delta Chi, a social fraternity, where he made lifelong friends and served as both Vice President and President. 

After college, Chuck pursued an actuarial career, earning several professional credentials, becoming an Associate in the Society of Actuaries, a Fellow in the Conference of Consulting Actuaries and an Enrolled Actuary. He worked for over 40 years in the benefits consulting field, working for just two companies—spending 19 years at Kwasha Lipton and the second half of his career with WTW Co., Inc. His last major role with WTW was as Head of Operations for the North American Health & Benefits line of business (roughly $700 Million in annual revenue with 1,900 employees). 

Chuck’s journey in understanding his Irish heritage was one of happenstance and good fortune. He grew up in the same house as his maternal grandmother, Mary (nee Dowd) Tighe, who emigrated from Ireland in 1923, listening to the stories of the family farm, working in the bogs and making the journey to the U.S. When in college, he took advantage of study abroad, and on his way to a semester in Bath, England, he visited his grandmother’s home village and stayed with a number of the cousins still living there, renewing an ‘in person’ connection with the home country for the first time since 1930. 

In 1990, he married Maire Doyle and they had five children together: Patrick, Siobhan, Kevin, Kathleen, and Mairead. His kids’ mom’s family— all four grandparents—were Irish, had a long history in Irish music, and she made sure all the kids were exposed to traditional music, learned an instrument, and were very successful in their Irish dancing endeavors. This led to many family trips both in the U.S. and many to Ireland—each family member playing a different instrument or dancing, while Chuck played the radio. 

Chuck had moved to Rockland in 1988 (Piermont), and the family moved to Pearl River in 1997. Once in Pearl River and with the children moving up through school, Chuck became involved in many local activities. He was an active participant at Saint Margaret’s where he called Bingo (fundraiser for the school which all five children went to) for 15 years. He was also very involved in the Boy Scouts Troop 34 out of Saint Margaret’s, serving as both Assistant Scoutmaster and as Scoutmaster. He continues to serve as a lector at his parish, Saint Aedan’s, having done so for more than 20 years. 

Chuck joined Division 3 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 2005 and earned his Major Degree in 2007. As the kids grew older, Chuck became more involved in the AOH, first helping to run the Annual Ski Trip, then getting involved in various other events and activities. Chuck eventually became Vice President in 2015, serving for 5 years. In 2020, he assumed the role of President, just weeks before the pandemic hit with a vengeance. 

As with so many other parts of our lives, the Division had to contend with new ways of doing things, on top of terrible losses. Much of the effort spent since 2020 was first in keeping the organization moving and active and keeping members connected, all while acknowledging and processing the grief we all felt. It is only in the last year or so that ‘things are starting to feel normal’—whatever that new normal is. He continues to work with a group of younger volunteers within the Division who are striving to keep the organization active and relevant—all the while supporting the many charitable endeavors within the community and always making sure to keep our Irish traditions alive. 

If you swing by an event at the Hibernian House, you will likely run into Chuck. He may be in the middle of the fray, emceeing the event, or he may be in the background getting his hands dirty. But it’s always in pursuit of our Hibernian motto—Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.