Robert M. Mauro of Weston, executive director of the Irish Institute and founding director of the Global Leadership Institute at Boston College, died on Oct. 31after an extended illness. He was 46.

While his work took him all over the world, Dr. Mauro’s most significant contributions came in strengthening ties between people in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Boston.

He leaves his wife, Barbara Pyke; his beloved daughters, Dara and Tess; his parents, sister, and an extended family in the United States and Ireland.

Mary Swanton currently lives in Milton with her husband, Albert. A union carpenter in Boston and a native of Skibbereen in West Cork, he was a member of the world famous Skibbereen Rowing Club. Their oldest son, Seán, 28, served in the United States Marine Corps and lives in Wakefield with his wife Sonia. Their two younger sons—Kevin, 21, and Michael, 19, both play college rugby. Swanton adds that Michael has inherited her Dad’s tenor voice which, she says, “is very meaningful.”

  Herewith a typical day in the golfing life of Jerry York as he continues his dogged, life-long search for a repeatable golf swing:

“Hey, guy,” Jerry says to the parking attendant as he pulls into the lot at his Oakley Club golf course in Watertown for another round of golf with his good friends from BC.

From its origins, this event has been a celebration of our shared Irish heritage with an emphasis on men and women— past and present— who have excelled and inspired us with their personal and professional achievements, generous spirit, wisdom and wit. Over the last dozen years, some of Irish America’s best-known and beloved people and families have graced the Seaport ballroom stage. This year’s cohort of honorees continues that proud tradition.

Now that many families are once again celebrating the holidays together in person, there’s an opportunity to swap stories, meet new arrivals, and share happy memories of those we’ve lost over the years.

It might seem morbid to some, but there’s a topic that should be raised with loved ones when the time is right. What is our family history of sudden deaths caused by aneurysms?