Comerford, James J., 1901-1988

James J. Comerford, a native of Co. Kilkenny, emigrated to New York City in 1925. He was born on New Years' Day 1901 and died at the age of 87 in 1988. He worked at a variety of jobs including as as a ticket agent for the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) at night while attending college during the day. Of note is that Comerford decided at the age of 33 he needed to get his high school dkiploma which he did and then at the age of 34 matriculated at Columbia to earn his bachelor's. He then went on to get his master's and finally his J.D from Fordam University. Comerford retired as a Judge of the Magistrates Court in 1971.

The Judge was active in many Irish organizations and was an outspoken Irish Nationalist. He served nineteen years as chairman of the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade and was also a past president of the United Irish Counties Assocation. Comerford was a member and National Historian of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) for 52 years and edited the organization's Hibernian Digest . Many files pertaining to his work in the AOH are included in the collection. Of interest in the collection are Comerford's original handwritten drafts and typed manuscript for the memoir "My Kilkenny IRA Days". Comerford joined the IRA in his teens and the memoir covers the years 1920-1923, providing an intimate look at the activities of this citizen soldier organization and as well as life in Ireland in the early 20th century.

Comerford was married to Vera Carr. They had no children.

From the guide to the James J. Comerford Papers, 1867-1985, (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)