Jeanne Patricia Rynhart, the Irish sculptor died on June 9, 2020, She was 74.
Rynhart, who was born Jeanne Scuffil in Dublin on March 17, 1946, attended the National College of Art and Design, graduating in 1969. After several years in England, she returned to Ireland in 1981 and went on to establish the Rynhart Fine Art gallery and workshop in Ballylickey, near Bantry in County Cork, with her husband Derkek Rynhart.
Rynhart is best remembered for as the creator of the Molly Malone statue, which was unveiled for the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, and the two statues she sculpted in 1993 in honor of Annie Moore, the first immigrant to pass through Ellis Island. One statue is at Cobh Heritage Centre in Cork and the other, on Ellis Island in New York City, which was dedicated by the then-President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
Rynhart, who was buried in the Abbey Cemetery, Bantry, is survived by her husband Derek and their children, Audrey and Barry. Audrey and her husband, Les Elliott, continue to operate the Rynhart studio.
The world famous genealogist Megan Smolenyak has a special appreciation for Rhyhart because of her own association with Annie Moore. Read more about how Megan’s sleuthing uncovered the story of the real Annie Moore.
Robert Charles Golden, 73, passed away on June 9, 2020, the result of heart complications. He was born on July 12, 1946 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Although he lived in Arrochar, Staten Island for more than thirty years, he always considered Bay Ridge his hometown.
Before retiring, Bob was an Executive Vice President of Prudential Financial. Under his leadership, Prudential founded a technology and call center in Donegal, called Pramerica. Opening with just eight employees in 2000, Pramerica has grown to become the largest employer in the northwest region with more than 1,500 people on staff.
Bob was a man of deep faith and gave tirelessly to many charitable causes, of which Catholic Charities and HeartShare Human Services, for which he served as Vice Chair, were closest to his heart.
Bob loved everything Irish and was a proud member of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, The Emerald Association of Long Island, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, and The Saint Patrick’s Society of Brooklyn. In 2000, he was named one of the Wall Street 50 by Irish America magazine, and made that list every year until his retirement. He was also past President of The Cathedral Club of Brooklyn and The Bayfort Benevolent Associates.
Bob was a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a Knight, Grand Cross, of The Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
A graduate of Xaverian High School and Fordham University Graduate School of Business, he is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Finance & Industry. He loved fun and hanging out with the boys and will be missed by his Vermont bonding buddies. Cigar nights won’t be the same without him.
A man who never craved the limelight yet received many awards and honors, he was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Catholic Guardian Society, Educator of the Year by the Association of Teachers of New York, Chief Brehon of the Great Irish Fair of Brooklyn, Man of the Year by the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn, and Man of the Year by Catholic Big Brothers.
Golden was also the recipient of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Brooklyn, the Spirit of Xaverian Award from Xaverian High School, the Excellence in Volunteerism Award from HeartShare Human Services, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, to name just a few.
Bob, truly a man with a “Golden” heart, was the beloved husband of Maureen Moore and the proud father of Kathleen Elizabeth and Robert Charles, Jr. Kind and generous to the core, he will be truly missed by all who knew him.
The family encourages donations in lieu of flowers to:
HeartShare Human Services
Moore Residence
12 Metrotech Center, 29th floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Editor’s note: Bob was a wonderful supporter of the magazine over the years, and was always a sunny presence at our Wall Street 50 dinners where he regaled those gathered with humorous stories of his trips to Ireland. He will be sorely missed.
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