The Grump
Club’s humble beginning started with five merry gentlemen (Barney McGuire,
Tom McGuinness, Bill Connelie, Bob Sweeney and Joe Sayers)
introducing the 3 martini lunch to the Capital District.
We sadly say that Barney, Joe and Bob have since passed on.
Barney, Tom and Bill were all retired from the New York City Police Department.
At the time, Barney McGuire was a personnel administrator for NYSP, Tom
McGuinness was an investigator with NYS Agriculture & Markets, and Bill
Connelie was the Superintendent of the NYS Police. Bob Sweeney was a former
Assistant Deputy Superintendent with NYSP and was currently Deputy Commissioner
of Motor Vehicles. Joe Sayers was a
retired NYSP BCI investigator working as a lobbyist for the Security Industry.
The first historic luncheon took place in the spring of 1977 at the Knights of
St.John’s Club in Albany, NY (currently
Crossgates Restaurant). From then on, the group met month after grueling month,
trying to perfect its ritual, and each time they met additional people joined in
the quest. So proud of their
accomplishments, they eventually enlisted the help of over 400 members to
further the cause. The leadership
and perseverance of these charter members make the Grump Club what it is
today…………… A THREE HOUR LUNCH WITH AN OPEN BAR
!.
For the first 11 years, Barney McGuire was the skipper of the group keeping them
on a steady course. He took care of
the mundane tasks of arranging the luncheons, mailing newsletter, and giving
flamboyant lectures at the monthly gatherings.
The Grump Club has become the group it is today because of Barney
McGuire.
November
1988, Barney stepped aside, and asked the two Tom McGuinness’ to take over for
him. Tom McGuinness “OB” is a retired NYPD Detective and charter
member while Tom McGuinness “TJ” is a retired police officer from ESU
– NYPD.
The Grump Club still meets on the third Friday of each month.
Luncheons are at various restaurants around the Albany area.
In addition to the monthly luncheons we have a Memorial breakfast
in May, Golf outing in July,
Weekend with spouses in October and a Christmas Party in December.
We have No rules, No elections, No charter, and very few speeches.
Our Motto is Plain and Simple.
In Barney McGuire’s words, “..we have no axes to grind with anyone
!”
The late Albany Times Union columnist and beloved Grump, Barney Fowler,
once described the club in one of his witty columns as
“
…..the only group of its kind in the United States of America and
the general public should be thankful for that.”