By Tom Loughlin
Utica NY: On August 1, John C. Devereux, an Irish-born immigrant entrepreneur who founded the original Savings Bank of Utica, Historic Old St. John’s Church and Orphanage, and the Hibernian Benevolent Society, was honored with a William C. Pomeroy Organization Historic Marker in a ceremony at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley.
The event was attended by members of the Irish community, officials from the New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians, Utica Mayor Michael Galime, Judge Anthony Garramone, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, Brian Adey ,representing NY State Senator Joe Griffo’s office and Carli Rightmier, representing Governor Kathy Hochul.
The Pomeroy Organization took over the process of verifying historic sites and creating markers when New York State ceased the operation due to financial constraints.
The blue and gold marker stands between the entrances to the Five Points Pub and the HARP museum on the west side of the ICCMV.
