A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dennis Toal grew up in the neighborhoods of Flatbush and Marine Park. His grandfather, Thomas, originally from County Armagh, immigrated to Brooklyn in 1916. Thomas fought in WWI, married Anna from County Louth and began raising their five children in East Flatbush in Brooklyn. Dennis’ father, Joseph, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, and joined the NYPD in 1959 upon his return. Dennis’ parents, Joe and Joan (nee Kennedy), married in 1959 and welcomed four children, two of whom also became members of the NYPD. In his younger years, beginning at the age of 10, Dennis started marching in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, holding the banner for the County Armagh contingent. Due to his love of Irish culture and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Dennis joined the Clann Eireann Pipe Band in Bay Ridge Brooklyn at the age of 14, playing the snare drum in multiple parades around New York State for many years. Dennis joined the Plumbers Union in 1980 and worked there for over 25 years. He is a proud responder to the September 11th tragedy at Ground Zero. As a result of his efforts in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, Dennis sustained residual health problems which he battles to this day. Dennis has been a member of AOH Division 3 Pearl River for several years, where he continually supports the division’s fundraising and community service efforts. In 2021, Dennis was proud to be elected as the Division 3 Marshal for the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 1971, Dennis’ grandfather Thomas had the privilege of being selected Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the same honor his grandson Dennis has now received as the 2023 Aide to the Grand Marshal.