From that Sunday afternoon in April of 1898 to today, Division 65 remains rich in history and pride.

From that Sunday afternoon in April of 1898 to today, Division 65 remains rich in history and pride. Early meetings of the Division were held in Boyle’s Hall at 21st and Market Streets. In the early 1900’s the meetings moved to Saint Patrick’s Parish Hall (Shannon River Ballroom) at 21st and Naudain Street, every 3rd Tuesday.

During this period of strong dedication to the Order, the Division found itself dealing with the turmoil that was occurring in Ireland over the slaughter of Irish Regiments in the Crimea, and the sacrifices Patrick Pearse and the men of 1916. In O’Dea’s history of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, he noted the significant participation of the Philadelphia Divisions toward the $15,000 raised for the families of the martyrs and those imprisoned after the Rising. As much as some things change, some things always seem to remain the same. Today, Division 65 participates in the support of families of Irish political prisoners and Irish Northern Aid.

Though the spirit of freedom stood firm in the Division, in the years to come, the tenor of the nation was mirrored in the Order. Exhausted after the “war to end all wars” and the Great Depression, new life was breathed into the A.O.H. In 1930 a Division membership drive was announced in the “Catholic Standard & Times”. The drive was organized by then Vice President, Peter Higgins, at the Grand Fraternity Hall located at 1626 Arch Street.

Despite the hard economic times, the drive succeeded and the A.O.H. flourished. The 1920’s & 1930’s saw the formation of a very active drama club in Division 65. Motivated by the late Jimmy Mullan and his brother Joe Mullan, and in conjunction with the Ladies Auxiliary (forerunner of the LAOH), it was in demand by many of the Parish Halls of the Diocese.

In a Sesquicentennial portrayal, President John J. O’Reilly could be seen as one of the signors of the Declaration of Independence. Amidst this renewal, those farseeing had their greatest fears realized, and World War II exploded at Pearl Harbor. Young member Joe Montgomery who had volunteered two years previous joined many members of the Division in the overseas theatres. With the end of the war and the ensuing prosperity, A.O.H Division 65 again took off. The Division was, a major participant in the Anti-Partition Movement of the 1950’s, the 41st International Eucharistic Congress and the Irish Heritage Council during our nation’s Bicentennial. The Division was, and still is, active in the Federation of United Irish-American societies, the Society of Commodore John Barry U.S.N., and the American Irish Immigration Committee. Many of its members labored diligently to have a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that would reflect positively on our race and religion. Their efforts resulted in the formation of the Saint Patrick’s Day Observance Committee. When the “gulags” were opened in Northern Ireland our former President, Joe Montgomery, was on the picket lines. Over these last forty years of struggle Joe has remained focused on the ideal of freedom, having served as National Freedom for all Ireland Committee Chairman. Today we remain strong and dedicated to the causes and ideals that the Division was founded upon. On November 8, 1998 the Division bestowed the honor to President Emeritus Joseph E. Montgomery who for 47 years was President of our Division by having the Division named after him. Joe Montgomery continues to guides us with his knowledge and wisdom supporting our current President.

We who have been given the torch by those of another day, ask your help and support in seeing that the day of freedom is reached. We want to see that the ideals of our religion are preserved, and the culture of our race is sensitively portrayed. We also must pay tribute to the wives of our members, without whose partnership, we would most certainly have failed. Sadly we have lost many good men of the division since our incorporation. Our most recent loss was our Division namesake Joseph Montgomery. May he and all our brothers rest in peace.

If you listen carefully, you can still hear Joe Montgomery singing "Danny Boy."

It's been some years since Joe graced the choir loft of Transfiguration Church in West Philadelphia with his distinctive Irish tenor. But there are those who swear they can still hear his voice raised in those songs that never fail to stir the heart or bring a tear to the eye of a true Irish patriot.

And they will remember the image of Joe, garbed in top hat and morning coat, ever the dapper gentleman, as he presided as grand marshal over the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Joseph E. Montgomery, a longtime leader of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other Irish-American organizations, a truck driver in the grocery business and proud member of the Teamsters Union, and Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, died Dec. 3. He was 95 and was living in Merchantville, N.J., but had previously lived in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, N.J.

Joe was president for 40 years of what was known as Division 65 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians before the name was changed to the Joseph E. Montgomery Division.

Steve Burns, now vice president of the division, recalled how he startled members in the late '90s when he suggested naming the division after Joe.

Typically, Hibernian divisions were named after deceased persons or religious figures. "Oh, God, we can't do that. He's still alive," was a typical reaction to Steve's idea.

"And I said, 'That's my point. Let's honor Joe while he's still with us.' "

And so the name was changed, one of the numerous honors Joe received over the years. He was inducted into the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame in 2009.

The leadership roles Joe assumed in Irish-American organizations included the president of the Hibernian division from 1958 to 1998, its 100th anniversary; president of the United Irish-American Societies of Delaware Valley (its Man of the Year in 1983); president of the Commodore John Barry Society; secretary of the Irish Participation Committee of the 41st International Eucharistic Congress; president and corresponding secretary of the St. Patrick's Day Observance Committee.

Joe was grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1993.

He also worked on the advisory committee of the "Treasures of Early Irish Art," an exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He was national chairman of the Freedom for All Ireland Committee, and president of the Pennsylvania state board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

He was described as a "true Irish gentleman," and a "Hibernian's Hibernian."

“I will remember Joe as the epitome of the Irish gentleman.”

— Patrick Mulhern

Common Pleas Judge James Lynn, a longtime friend, said, "I will miss hearing his wise counsel; his wonderful and powerful singing voice; his humor, talking about staying in shape - doing 100 push-ups and lifting weights."

Lynn recalled a conversation with Joe three years ago:

"Me: 'Joe, you still lifting weights?' Joe: 'No, Jim, the doctor told me that at 92, I better put the weights down. But I'm still doing the push-ups.' "

Joe was famous for his quick wit and quips. As recounted by the judge, his way of putting someone down who annoyed him was, "That guy could give an aspirin a headache."

Patrick Mulhern, now president of the Joseph Montgomery Hibernian division, said, "I will remember Joe as the epitome of the Irish gentleman. I consider myself better for having known him, and will sadly miss his friendship and countenance."

Chris Phillips, president of the St. Patrick's Day Observance Association, said Joe "was a pure gentleman, a man who did more for others than he ever did for himself."

Joe Montgomery was born in Philadelphia and attended Roman Catholic High School. He joined the Army on May 1, 1940, and served in the Panama Canal Zone and the Galapagos Islands. He was a waist gunner on B-17 and B-24 aircraft on anti-submarine patrol.

He also taught gunnery at various Army bases. He won marksman medals with the M-1 rifle.

After the war, Joe went to work for the Quaker Grocery Co. and spent the rest of his working career in the grocery business as a driver. He was a member of Teamsters Local 107 and later Local 500.

He married Mary E. Collis on Feb. 22, 1944, while home on leave. She died in 1998.

Joe Montgomery is gone, but the work he did for the Irish community in Philadelphia and the people he inspired with his devotion to the rites and traditions of those places live on wherever green is worn.