LAST week a titan of the Irish American scene passed away. Cornelius (Connie) Doolan, 72, a native of Cork, was for decades the face of the Guinness Import Company in New York. An extraordinary community activist, Doolan was also an active member of the Cork Association and widely beloved by the Irish community here.A tireless worker and campaigner, he was celebrated for his work on behalf of the Irish, reaching out to literally thousands of immigrants in search of work or a supporting hand during his time at Guinness. In 1992 Doolan was selected as New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade grand marshal, an honor that he said provided him with "the happiest day of his life."Back in 1960 when Bill Burke, now vice chairman of Country Bank, emigrated to the U.S. from Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, the name he heard recommended most often by the Irish community here was that of Connie Doolan. Over all the intervening decades that fact didn't change."I knew Connie for 35 years. He was the first businessman in the Irish community, the kind of guy we all looked up to as a very successful individual," Burke told the Irish Voice."He was a very good friend and highly respected as a man of his word. He was known for giving good advice and leading you in the right direction."Doolan involved himself in countless community causes, such as helping arriving immigrants, supporting Gaelic games in New York, working with many charitable organizations, and being a mainstay of his beloved Cork Association.A successful businessman, role model and a mentor, Doolan was the embodiment of the success the Irish would achieve in New York. With his presidential shock of white hair and his low key but friendly manner, Doolan was approachable and interested in all who sought his advice.Added Burke, "I knew him as a businessman who was very involved in the Irish community. He would go to all the events, where he was highly regarded."Many of the most heartfelt tributes to Doolan were paid by the generation of Irish men and women who were young enough to be his children but who had benefited greatly from his advice and counsel when they were starting out.Mae O'Driscoll of the Cork Association told the Irish Voice, "He was the ultimate professional. If we did any kind of a fundraiser we would always reach out to Connie because you knew he would get the sponsorship for you. "When we started the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (IIRM) in the 1980's he got us financial support. He became the director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center when it was first established. We also got grants on a few different occasions from Connie."O'Driscoll admits that standing shoulder to shoulder with the IIRM during the 1980s was not always the most popular of decisions, but Doolan stood firm. "Connie was a proud Irishman and we were also proud of him as a Cork man," added O'Driscoll.A particularly vivid memory that O'Driscoll highlights is of Doolan, who had a fine voice, singing "Shall My Soul Pass Through Old Ireland." "Several years ago we unveiled two portraits of the Cork Lord Mayor Terence McSweeney and Thomas McCurtain at the club and Connie sang that song at the Mass. The song was written for Terence McSweeney and like him I'm sure that Connie's soul also passed through old Ireland and through Cork city grand."Doolan's funeral Mass was held at the St. Martin of Tours Church in Bethpage on Monday, with interment thereafter at the Mount Calvary Cemetery, White Plains.