John Hands

President

Born in Detroit, Michigan, John came to the Grand Strand in 1987 from New York's Hudson River area.  He got his initial electronics training in the USAF and served as an Airborne Electronics Countermeasures Operator in the Strategic Air Command before training in computers and working for IBM for 30 years.  After moving here, he was employed as the Service Manager of the Computerland Store and went on to spend 5 years as a Computer Technician for the Technology Department of the Horry County School District. 

John joined the AOH in Horry County shortly after it was formed in 1996 and has been actively supporting them with Information and Data Processing activities.  He received the Hibernian of the year award in 1999.  John was the first editor of the AOH Newsletter, held that position until 2002 and resumed it in 2005.  He was the District Director for the SC State Board from 2003 to 2007 and the Recording Secretary of the Division from 2001 to 2008.  He was elected President for 2009.  John is also the Division's Bagpiper and an Honorary Member of the Myrtle Beach Regional Pipe Band.  He is Webmaster for two Websites; the McGarry AOH Division and the South Carolina AOH State Board.  He is also a member of the Little River Water & Sewerage Company's Board of Directors.

John has two children who live in the capital district of New York, a son in the Washington/Baltimore area, a daughter in Lexington, SC and another daughter living in Little River.  John and his wife, Kathy, have 10 grandchildren and one great grand child.  They live in Little River.

Mason Luther

Chairman, Illness and Distress Committee 

Mason is a retired electrician from the N.Y. area and converted to the Catholic faith back in 1959.  He is active in the church and is a Past Grand Knight of Triune Council #2052 where he served from 1990-1993.  He also served as the District Deputy of Hudson Valley.  He is also an Honorary Member of the KofC in Myrtle Beach with a 4TH Degree. 

Mason belongs to the Korean War VET in New York City and belongs to both the American Legion and the Elks here in Myrtle Beach. 

Mason works part time job as a ranger at Myrtlewood CC.  A Widower for a few years, he met his wonderful wife Sylvia (his words) and has been happily married for 10 yrs. They now, have 9 grand children together.

He is a valuable member of the AOH and is the Chairman of the Standing Committee, the Illness and Distress Committee and the Golf Committee. 

Fran Tuite

Past Division President

Fran was born in Meriden Connecticut (near New Haven, CT.), and raised at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.  He was an alter boy and communicant at Saint Thomas Aquinas. 

Loving sports and music he set out for college to be a cameraman for NFL films.  He was in the drum section of the school Marching band.  Ohio University taught him that advertising sales paid the bills and was the route to management.  Years of advertising sales in New York City, Charlotte, Hartford and Boston led him to settling in Myrtle Beach.  He became partner and marketing director of The Afterdeck nightclub complex in Myrtle Beach in 1988.  Instead of selling ads he was on the other side of the table buying and creating them.

Fran quickly adapted to the atmosphere at the beach and after 17 years has no reason to move away.  Seven years ago he was referred by John Hands and Bruce Thompson, of the local Hibernians, to a musical group called "The Low Country Pipers."  They added him to their roster of the bagpipe band as the sole drummer.  He has seen that group merge with another band to become the Myrtle Beach Regional Pipe Band.  Fran is in his third year of being their President and Drum Major.

Fran Tuite has held many offices in the ski club as well as in other civic clubs including Ad club, Optimists and Jaycees.  In his free time Fran enjoys watching sports, dancing and civic volunteering.  He cheers for Notre Dame and New England's Pro teams.

Fran is currently a bachelor who likes to travel.  He looks forward to selecting a trip to the snow country every year.  And yes, he's seen the wooden nickels with "Do it when you get "around TUIT"" on them.  He just shakes his head and says why don't they spell it right?

Fran has also been Recording Secretary and Marshall of our AOH Division.

Dix Colbert

SC District 1 Director
Past Division President

 I was born and grew up in the Albany, New York area and worked for the New York State Department of Transportation in the Bridge Design Section for 30 years. 

 My Family and I moved to Surfside Beach in August of 1990 where we are raising twin sons, who keep us busy with their musical endeavors.  They are also members of our Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

 I became a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1998, received the Shamrock Degree in April of 1999 and the Major Degree in October of 1999.  In 2003 I was elected Financial Secretary, Vice President in 2004 and 2005 and President for 2006.  

 I am also an Officer in the Knights of Columbus and am in the Fourth Degree.  I usher at St. Michael’s Church at the 5:30 Sunday Mass and also do Adoration.

 Our entire whole Family is involved in the area's education and music.

 If you have new ideas for projects, give me a call so that I may forward the proposal to the Executive committee.

Robert J. Mott

National AOH Organizer
Past National AOH Director
Past Division President

Biography not available at this time.

John Galvin

John came to the area from Saddle Brook, NJ in 1987.  He and his wife, Rosemary, an active member of the LAOH,  bought a condo in the Lake Arrowhead Area of Myrtle Beach which they used for vacations.  He retired in 1994 and moved to North Myrtle Beach in 1997.

A Charter member of the Division since 1996, he has served two terms as Financial Secretary and two prior terms as Treasurer.  

He graduated from St. Peters College, Jersey City, in 1952 and then spent 2 years in the army serving in Korea.  Prior to retirement he was the Municipal Clerk and Planning Director for the Town of Bloomfield, NJ.  He presently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of North Myrtle Beach.

He and his wife have 5 children and 12 grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 23.

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Sorry, Biography is not available at this time