Meet Our 2017 Men of the Year!

Andrew Breslin (left)

Born in Co. Cavan, Ireland but raised in Kells, Co. Meath, Andy is the youngest of Eileen and Michael Breslin’s six children -- five boys and one girl! After moving to America on his 20th birthday, he landed his first job bar-tending in Tramps. His brothers, Michael and John, and sister, Maureen, soon joined him in the States.

In 1986, he opened his first bar, Allison’s, on 8th Avenue beside FIT, with Alphie McCourt, brother of the Frank & Malachy. Sidetracks followed in April 1988 on Queens Blvd, in the heart of the Irish Immigrant Movement, and became a great base for the Irish community. In 1997, he took over The Red Lion, followed by Banc Café, Whitman and Bloom, the Ellington and Smith & Wollensky’s in London. In addition, Andy and his brothers own a number of bars in Dublin including Café Insane and Whelan’s of Wexford Street, where U2 launched their career.

Andy and his beautiful wife, Caroline, reside in Manhattan with their adorable 10 year old daughter, Kaela. They have been generous supporters of numerous organizations, especially the Irish Arts Center, of which Andy is a member of the board. Andy is also active in The Knights of St. Patrick and was their honoree in 2013. As a long-time supporter of the Frances Pope Memorial Foundation, it is very fitting that Andy will be honored at our 2017 Friendship Ball.

Raymond C. Baccala (right)

Raymond C. Baccala was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1959 and moved to New Jersey in 1989. Ray now makes his home in Marlboro, where he and his wife of 27 years, Dianne, raised their two children, Samantha and Robert.

Ray began his Wall Street career as a part-time clerk for Salomon Brothers Inc. in 1979. Upon receiving his BBA in Finance and Investments from Baruch College in 1981, he was promoted to trader. Today, through his 30 years of experience in the financial industry and his keen leadership abilities, Ray holds the position of President of Tradition Securities and Derivatives, Inc.

Ray has an extensive history of community service, as well as charitable involvement. He has served as President of both the Marlboro Little League and Mustangs Diamond Club. His history of charitable work includes being a committee member and supporter for Paul O’Neil’s Right Field Charities, The David Wright Foundation, The Ron Darling Foundation, Building Homes for Heroes, The Mariano Rivera Foundation and the Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis Center at CentraState Health Care System. In 2007, Ray co-produced “Concert for the Troops” to raise money for the USO and Wounded Warrior Project.

Ray has also been a long supporter of The Frances Pope Memorial Foundation and is very proud to be an Honoree for the 2017 Friendship Ball.