Holyoke City Council President Joseph M. McGiverin, a Councilor since 1980, has been chosen the Grand Marshal of the 59th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade. Joe will be added to a distinctive list of previous recipients including the first Grand Marshal, the late Thomas Rohan (1952) who, like Joe, was a Probation Officer.

 

            Joe, a native of Holyoke, has been attached to the parade for as long as he can remember. He recalls when the floats would line up near his childhood home on Beech Street. Joe first marched in the Parade as a student at Holyoke Catholic High School and next as a student at Holyoke Community College. Since 1980, Joe has marched as a member of the Holyoke City Council, and he has had the honor of being elected President of that Council since 1986.

 

            After graduating from Holyoke Catholic High School in 1973, he attended Holyoke Community College, receiving an associate’s degree in Law Enforcement. He continued his education, graduating from Westfield State College in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science.

 

            Joe has spent his career as a Probation Officer for the Holyoke Courts. He is known as a compassionate and patient Officer and a leader in his profession. He has also been a successful leader as President of the City Council, especially when he took on the role of Acting Mayor in 1991.

 

            Joe and his wife Jennie (Shaker) have two daughters, Brenda and Kelly. In addition to his career and his commitment to elected service, Joe is involved in our community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holyoke Elks, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. He is on the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, and is the government representative to the Holyoke Economic Development Industrial Corporation.
 

            Since 1975 Joe has been the director/coach of the Greater Holyoke YMCA Pre-Teen Basketball League and in 2006 he received the YMCA/Louis Oldershaw Community Service Award.

 

            The Parade Committee is pleased to award the honor of 2010 Parade Grand Marshal to Joseph McGiverin, an outstanding member of the Community, a dedicated representative of Holyoke, and a fine family man.