Born and raised in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, John attended the CUNY Hunter College, where he later served on the Board of Trustees and raised funds to establish the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute. Upon graduation, he began a career in healthcare IT and is presently an executive with IBM as the Global Health Plan Industry Segment Leader. In 1997, he married Deborah Beyer and promptly quit his job (much to his mother-in-law’s chagrin) to complete two master’s level degrees at Columbia University. John and Deb resided in Woodside, NY, for ten years and eventually moved to Eastchester with their three children, Jack, Emily, and Kendall, in 2007.
 
John has been active in the Eastchester Community, serving on the Board of the Eastchester Historical Society and President of the Eastchester Irish American Social Club. A former Eagle Scout, John was awarded the General Douglas A. MacArthur Youth Award (2017), issued by the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of NY, for his work in restoring John F. Kennedy’s boy scout troop (Troop 2 Bronxville).
 
Quote: “It is an honor to represent the Irish community as Grand Marshal with my esteemed colleagues, as well as our two Honorees. The Eastchester Irish American Club members lead many noteworthy efforts that have made our Irish culture accessible to our town and future generations,” said Murtha.  He traces his Irish heritage from Athlone, County Westmeath, and Dublin, where he will be visiting with his 3 siblings/spouses and all of their respective children this summer.