Craig Speers
Place of birth: Buffalo New York.
What is your profession? Retired Senior Examiner of Municipal Affairs for NYS Office of the State Comptroller for over 36 years. Retired Associate Professor of American History (Adjunct) Erie Community College.
How do you celebrate your Irishness? I have served the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a member and officer, of the Buffalo /Erie Division #1 and the New York State AOH for the last 44 years. I was the Treasurer for the WNY Irish Famine Commemorative Committee from its inception. I am a student of Irish History and proudly participate in the Buffalo OFW and Delaware Parades, and support the Buffalo Irish Festival, Buffalo Irish Center, Buffalo Fenians GAA, and Harris -Grieco School of Irish Dance. My son Brian and niece Kathleen play for the Fenians and my niece Jennifer is a TCRG for Harris-Grieco.
Name a hero you admire and why? I'm unable to choose just one because my family has a long history of service during WWII in the Army and USAAF. My parents Hap and Bud Speers, served as volunteers in the US Army. My mom was a Nurse, serving in the European Theatre, with the 96th Medical Evacuation Hospital and my dad in the 102nd AAA Bn in the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. Two of my uncles, Edward and Bernard, were killed in service while on duty with the 8th Air Force.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... My Irish ancestors, the Murphy's (Dundalk, County Louth) and Phelans (County Dublin) arrived in 1880 with 2 canvas bags and hope and faith that they could establish a better life in America. They settled in Seneca Falls, NY where they were pillars of their parish - St. Patrick's.
Biography: Born in 1950 in Buffalo, NY to Irish and Serbian parents. Educated at Amherst Central High School, St. Bonaventure Univ., University@ Buffalo and Canisius University. I possess a BS in Business Administration, Masters in American History and Teaching Certification in Business and History.
I volunteer at St. Rose and St. Michaels as an usher, Catholic Charities, Parish Council and School board.
I currently serve on the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority , PEF Retirees as PAC director and the Buffalo CLC AFL/CIO. Married to Theresa Gillooly Speers, an Irish citizen and retired RN with NYS Department of Health. We have 2 sons Brendan and Brian, both involved with service. Brendan is a volunteer fireman in Ottsville Pa and Director of Financial Planning and Brian is an Emergency Services Planner with Erie County. We have 3 Grandchildren Aubrey, Ryan and Brett.
