OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Aisling Heenan and Brenda Pazderski of Spike Dailey’s Irish Pub in Dunkirk presented a donation to Edziu Kaus and Michael Edwards of the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council after a fundraiser this past year. Pictured from left to right: Pazderski, Edwards, Heenan, Kaus, Yvonne Rosario and Katie Reilly.

Aisling Heenan came to the United States from Ireland on her own at the age of 26. She didn’t know anyone stepping off the plane, and she was looking for a place to call home.

She found that in northern Chautauqua County. Heenan says the Dunkirk and Fredonia community has made her feel like part of one big family.

“They made me feel very welcome. I wasn’t a stranger,” Heenan said. “The people were absolutely amazing, with open arms.”

Over the past 17 years, Heenan has owned and operated Spike Dailey’s Irish Pub. In doing so, she has connected with many members of the community. During that time, Heenan always made an effort to give back to the area she now calls home.

Heenan is now set to retire, but before officially stepping away, she made sure to give thanks one last time through a final donation to a local cause. This past week, Heenan donated the proceeds of a fundraiser to the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council.

Heenan and Brenda Pazderski of Spike Dailey’s presented a check for $1,197.97 to Edziu Kaus and Michael Edwards of the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council in the lobby of Lake Shore Bank in Dunkirk. They were joined by Yvonne Rosario and Katie Reilly of Lake Shore Bank.

Heenan made the donation in honor of George R. Nopper, a veteran of the Vietnam War who served in the U.S. Army from 1964-66. He was an Army Rank E-4 Specialist, who then later worked as a diesel mechanic at Al Tech Specialty Steel Corp. in Dunkirk.

Nopper was born June 14, 1941 in Dunkirk to Harold and Josephine (Rahn) Nopper. He spent nearly 56 years married to his wife, Eleanor (Donaldson) Nopper, until his death at the age of 81 on June 20, 2022.

The donation came from the proceeds of Spike Dailey’s “Duck for a Buck” fundraiser. A year ago, the proceeds benefited the Lakeshore Humane Society in Dunkirk. This year, after speaking with a customer at the bar, Heenan decided the perfect final donation should go to local veterans.

“It’s really the people that make the business,” Heenan said. “There would be no business without the locals, so that’s why it’s got to go back.”

Heenan recently sold the pub to Bobby Cerrie, who told Heenan he planned to keep the same name and many of the same items on the menu. Spike Dailey’s is expected to open this summer on the Dunkirk Pier.