My Father's Family was from Collingdale originally. I have a question/comment

I lived in your beautiful town during the time I made my First Holy Communion. My Father's name was Harry Holleran, Jr., he has a younger Sister named Dorothy and had a younger Brother Jack. I believe his Brother Jim is older then my Father was. My Grandfather's name was Harry/Henry Holleran and my Grandmother's name was Kathleen. We of course, as you can tell by the name are of Irish descent. My Grandfather was a Brick mason Contractor, I believe.(I do know he was a brick mason because my Father was a brick mason, as well. But that probably came later on in his life.) His business was in Philly. I know this to be true because he either knew or had dealings with Princess Grace Kelly's father, who was also in the same business, of course this was before she became a princess. My Father actually met her. He said she was very shy and very gracious.
I guess you can tell I'm a bit homesick for the town my lovely Father grew up in. I have never been back. It must be over 45 years now. I am now 54.
I can't remember the name of the street my Grandparents' house was on. All I can remember is that, I think it was on a corner. It was very large, white, I think 3 stories and had a wonderful wrap-around porch. For the short time I lived there I thought of it as my own castle.
What I was wondering was would any of your readers remember my Family or the house? It might not even be standing for all I know. I had always hoped that my Father and my Sisters' and I could have stayed and lived in it. But that wasn't to be the case.
Maybe someone has something.

Thanking you in advance,
Trish Holleran Madden
Virginia Beach, VA

Patricia Holleran Madden wrote:

I lived in your beautiful town during the time I made my First Holy Communion. My Father's name was Harry Holleran, Jr., he has a younger Sister named Dorothy and had a younger Brother Jack. I believe his Brother Jim is older then my Father was. My Grandfather's name was Harry/Henry Holleran and my Grandmother's name was Kathleen. We of course, as you can tell by the name are of Irish descent. My Grandfather was a Brick mason Contractor, I believe.(I do know he was a brick mason because my Father was a brick mason, as well. But that probably came later on in his life.) His business was in Philly. I know this to be true because he either knew or had dealings with Princess Grace Kelly's father, who was also in the same business, of course this was before she became a princess. My Father actually met her. He said she was very shy and very gracious.
I guess you can tell I'm a bit homesick for the town my lovely Father grew up in. I have never been back. It must be over 45 years now. I am now 54.
I can't remember the name of the street my Grandparents' house was on. All I can remember is that, I think it was on a corner. It was very large, white, I think 3 stories and had a wonderful wrap-around porch. For the short time I lived there I thought of it as my own castle.
What I was wondering was would any of your readers remember my Family or the house? It might not even be standing for all I know. I had always hoped that my Father and my Sisters' and I could have stayed and lived in it. But that wasn't to be the case.
Maybe someone has something.
Thanking you in advance,
Trish Holleran Madden
Virginia Beach, VA

You're probably better off not going back, and ruining your memories. Collingdale, and the surrounding towns in the Eastern half of Delaware County aren't what they used to be. They've all gone downhill over the last 15-20 years thanks to the Philadelphia "urban sprawl". I live in Upper Darby, and it stinks watching your neighborhood turn into a crime ridden, drug infested ghetto. Thank you Section 8.

Would you remember any street names? Andrews Ave., Collingdale Ave? MacDade Blvd? There is a house on the corner of Andrews & Collingdale Ave. that is white, 3 stories and a white wrap around porch. Very pretty, but I think it got turned into apartments, not sure. Collingdale is not as bad as Upper Darby which has become West Philly in the Burbs. Thank you Section 8 is right.

Also, if you made your First Holy Communion in Collingdale, you might want to look up St. Joseph Church in Collingdale. They would probably have the records, etc. of your family.

Kellz of Swarthmore...I agree. I moved into Collingdale three years ago and I am ready to get out.

Joanne, if you live down by Darby, I can hardly blame you. Every block on MacDade has a Chinese takeout joint/laundry mat or bar. Granted, they do the street cleaning, but the rest of it looks like crap. At least when you are on the side streets, it looks better.

Dear Mrs Halloran Madden-I live in Collingdale now, and think it has suffered no more than other towns will or have, and not just from Section 8 but because of the degeneration of family values afflicting and affecting the entire Nation. Collingdale still has some old homes and neighborhoods which have retained dignity and beauty; probably your old beloved home is among them. God Bless you and your fond memories/it is the remembrance of happiness and not the dream of it which which brings us peace.

I agree with Kellz and Joanne, I moved here three years ago. When i first saw the house I thought it was in Aldan (next door to me is Aldan). Anyway, I have a family behind me that lets their kids throw parties and a "family" in front of me who has about 10 adults living in one house and grills on the barbeque at midnight on weeknights, Collingdale SUCKS.

I hate it here, I am the above post, can anyone tell me about the noise ordinance here, i don't want to be a stick in the mud but this is getting rediculous.

Low-lifes never leave the home for long.Most of their social events are at home.They are oblivious to the concept of row home or nearby neighbors in earshot from them.I lived in Upper Darby most my life,am still here,had relatives in S.W.Philly and the way it was then compared to now is like night and day.All the posts of this section 8,and sprawl from undereducated residents have cheapened life in these areas,are what I see in like to posters on how it was.Today 5-19-07,there is another weekend get together of family,freinds of low-lifers that always party on this one way street with limited parking spaces,but have many come anyway.The street is packed,even parking illegally-fire zones,driveways blocked instead of renting a hall like my family does.We live in a area that also has 14 stores that make parking especially crmped on weekends.Noise,party till 2am,kids running in the street,cars blowing horns at them etc.I use to look forward to weekends,now I dread weekends and glad when Sunday night comes.A small restaurant-Bouno Cusine,is reservation only and patrons come from all over delco to dine here.Why?Its a "toilet bowl" of a neighborhood.These well to do people come here,park their expensive autos screwing those of us that live here out of parking,and when they come out they carry on like school students.My guess is there is something illegal going on.Like mob fiqures used run down areas as to not draw attention to themselves.These patrons have to pass better restaurants to come here.Glen Mills,Newtown Square,N.J resients are just a few examples of where they come from.So,they pass larger better places to dine.Drug dealers sell their "prescriptions" by a convienence store,rap crap spewwing out from cars that are expensive yet they don't work(they are here day&night).I saw this area go from a working middle class neighborhood to a blighted area.Guess who caused that!This cancer of soceity is spreading.

RonJaws wrote:

I hate it here, I am the above post, can anyone tell me about the noise ordinance here, i don't want to be a stick in the mud but this is getting rediculous.

Ron-May I suggest acquiring a telephone directory? The Yellow Pages text usually offers area maps (which illustrate town borders) and borough phone listings (for information related to local ordinances). You may find it a more useful resource for FACTS than an online forum......

And the domino effect begins!!! Darby, Upper Darby, East Lansdowne, now starting in Glenolden, already began in Folcroft and may be happening in Havertown.

Patricia Holleran Madden wrote:

I lived in your beautiful town during the time I made my First Holy Communion. My Father's name was Harry Holleran, Jr., he has a younger Sister named Dorothy and had a younger Brother Jack. I believe his Brother Jim is older then my Father was. My Grandfather's name was Harry/Henry Holleran and my Grandmother's name was Kathleen. We of course, as you can tell by the name are of Irish descent. My Grandfather was a Brick mason Contractor, I believe.(I do know he was a brick mason because my Father was a brick mason, as well. But that probably came later on in his life.) His business was in Philly. I know this to be true because he either knew or had dealings with Princess Grace Kelly's father, who was also in the same business, of course this was before she became a princess. My Father actually met her. He said she was very shy and very gracious.
I guess you can tell I'm a bit homesick for the town my lovely Father grew up in. I have never been back. It must be over 45 years now. I am now 54.
I can't remember the name of the street my Grandparents' house was on. All I can remember is that, I think it was on a corner. It was very large, white, I think 3 stories and had a wonderful wrap-around porch. For the short time I lived there I thought of it as my own castle.
What I was wondering was would any of your readers remember my Family or the house? It might not even be standing for all I know. I had always hoped that my Father and my Sisters' and I could have stayed and lived in it. But that wasn't to be the case.
Maybe someone has something.
Thanking you in advance,
Trish Holleran Madden
Virginia Beach, VA

I have seen a house that fits this description on Andrews Ave. and Collingdale Ave. It is near to the Collingdale Library and Pat's Pizzeria.

Ztype: I agree with everyone on Collingdale, it was and will never yet be the same as it was, back in the 60's and 70's. Not because of a degeneration of family values, but because the children of those who lived there, never stayed around, just moved further away. If we would have stayed, the riff-raff woulda never got in.
**********

Ztype wrote:

Dear Mrs Halloran Madden-I live in Collingdale now, and think it has suffered no more than other towns will or have, and not just from Section 8 but because of the degeneration of family values afflicting and affecting the entire Nation. Collingdale still has some old homes and neighborhoods which have retained dignity and beauty; probably your old beloved home is among them. God Bless you and your fond memories/it is the remembrance of happiness and not the dream of it which which brings us peace.

Does anyone remember the Clam Tavern?

**********

Mysterious One wrote:

Low-lifes never leave the home for long.Most of their social events are at home.They are oblivious to the concept of row home or nearby neighbors in earshot from them.I lived in Upper Darby most my life,am still here,had relatives in S.W.Philly and the way it was then compared to now is like night and day.All the posts of this section 8,and sprawl from undereducated residents have cheapened life in these areas,are what I see in like to posters on how it was.Today 5-19-07,there is another weekend get together of family,freinds of low-lifers that always party on this one way street with limited parking spaces,but have many come anyway.The street is packed,even parking illegally-fire zones,driveways blocked instead of renting a hall like my family does.We live in a area that also has 14 stores that make parking especially crmped on weekends.Noise,party till 2am,kids running in the street,cars blowing horns at them etc.I use to look forward to weekends,now I dread weekends and glad when Sunday night comes.A small restaurant-Bouno Cusine,is reservation only and patrons come from all over delco to dine here.Why?Its a "toilet bowl" of a neighborhood.These well to do people come here,park their expensive autos screwing those of us that live here out of parking,and when they come out they carry on like school students.My guess is there is something illegal going on.Like mob fiqures used run down areas as to not draw attention to themselves.These patrons have to pass better restaurants to come here.Glen Mills,Newtown Square,N.J resients are just a few examples of where they come from.So,they pass larger better places to dine.Drug dealers sell their "prescriptions" by a convienence store,rap crap spewwing out from cars that are expensive yet they don't work(they are here day&night).I saw this area go from a working middle class neighborhood to a blighted area.Guess who caused that!This cancer of soceity is spreading.

I live in Yeadon and i must say its not that bad as everyone says it is. I been here for a year and i like it. There are some sections(near Darby) which are kind of rough,but for the most part its pretty nice

Hi Tricia:

I am researching my family and found your post. My mother is Dorothy Holleran. I would love to speak with you. Look me up on facebook. I live in Bedford Hills NY

Theresa

Patricia Holleran Madden wrote:

I lived in your beautiful town during the time I made my First Holy Communion. My Father's name was Harry Holleran, Jr., he has a younger Sister named Dorothy and had a younger Brother Jack. I believe his Brother Jim is older then my Father was. My Grandfather's name was Harry/Henry Holleran and my Grandmother's name was Kathleen. We of course, as you can tell by the name are of Irish descent. My Grandfather was a Brick mason Contractor, I believe.(I do know he was a brick mason because my Father was a brick mason, as well. But that probably came later on in his life.) His business was in Philly. I know this to be true because he either knew or had dealings with Princess Grace Kelly's father, who was also in the same business, of course this was before she became a princess. My Father actually met her. He said she was very shy and very gracious.
I guess you can tell I'm a bit homesick for the town my lovely Father grew up in. I have never been back. It must be over 45 years now. I am now 54.
I can't remember the name of the street my Grandparents' house was on. All I can remember is that, I think it was on a corner. It was very large, white, I think 3 stories and had a wonderful wrap-around porch. For the short time I lived there I thought of it as my own castle.
What I was wondering was would any of your readers remember my Family or the house? It might not even be standing for all I know. I had always hoped that my Father and my Sisters' and I could have stayed and lived in it. But that wasn't to be the case.
Maybe someone has something.
Thanking you in advance,
Trish Holleran Madden
Virginia Beach, VA

Trish,
Your father actually had four brothers and one sister. Harry A. was the the oldest, then came Eddie, Jack, Jim, Dorothy. If you would like some more info contact my cousin above from NY. I too am on FB.