Luke John Lenahan

Born January 29, 1932

Education

            Graduated St. Mary’s High School, South Amboy, 1950

            Captain, Varsity Basketball Team

            1950-Attended the University of Seattle on Scholarship

            1952-Attended Belmont Abbey College (Belmont, NC) on Scholarship

1954 Drafted into US Army

         Captain, Fort Bragg Basketball Team

1958 Graduated Belmont Abbey College

Professional

            1958 – 1965 Taught History at St. Mary High School, South Amboy

                                 Varsity Basketball Coach

1965-1992    Taught Physical Education, Health and Driver’s Education at

Madison Central High School, Old Bridge

Athletic Director, Varsity Basketball Coach

            1971    Franchise Owner, Mister Softee Ice Cream

            1978     Founder, Route 9 Driving School

            1981    Manager, Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club

Personal

            June 8, 1957 Married Dolores Noble

            Father of seven children

            Grandfather of 14 grandchildren

            Lifelong parishioner, St. Mary’s Church, South Amboy

                                    St. Mary’s CYO Advisor

                                    St. Mary’s basketball coach

                                    St. Mary’s Ecumenical Council

            Sayreville Democratic Organization – Chairman for 13 years

            Sayreville Democratic Organization – committee Man for 17 years

From his children

            If ever there was a true Irish gentleman, Luke Lenahan is it.  Luke has always lived his life according to the three principles of the Irish Claddaugh, love, loyalty and friendship.  Luke’s love of family has been evident throughout his life, as a son, brother, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  His loyalty in his faith, his neighbors, friends, and his hometown has been evident throughout his life.  And never has there been a man who is so warm, so engaging, and so sincere that nary a man has he met who can’t call him “friend”. 

Luke has set the bar high – his example is one to be admires, and something we can only strive to emulate.  It is for this reason that Luke Lenahan should be South Amboy’s Irishman of the Year.