Joe and Mary Kate O’Connor named Citizenship Award Recipients for Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade

The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke is proud to announce Joe and Mary Kate O’Connor as the recipients of the 2027 Citizenship Award, recognizing their decades of service to Holyoke, their commitment to the community, and their dedication to celebrating and preserving their Irish heritage.

The Citizenship Award is presented annually to individuals whose service and involvement exemplify the spirit of citizenship and community that have long been at the heart of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. For Joe and Mary Kate, that commitment has been a shared part of their lives in Holyoke for decades.

Joe and Mary Kate are lifelong Holyokers who have been married for 40 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Patrick of Washington, D.C., and Kevin of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and his fiancée, Monica Felix.

Joe served the City of Holyoke for 31 years as a member of the Holyoke Fire Department and continues his service to the city as an elected member of the Holyoke Retirement Board. His commitment to the community extends beyond his professional career through his involvement in civic, charitable, and Irish-American organizations, where he has consistently supported efforts that benefit local residents and families.

Mary Kate has been a registered nurse for 35 years and currently works in the Endoscopy Department at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. A graduate of Sacred Heart Grammar School, Holyoke High School, Holyoke Community College, and the College of Our Lady of the Elms, she has dedicated her professional life to caring for others. She is also a parishioner of St. Jerome’s Church and previously served as a member of the Holyoke Historical Commission.

Both Joe and Mary Kate have been active members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and currently serve as Presidents of their respective Holyoke organizations. Through their leadership and involvement, they have helped carry forward the Hibernians’ longstanding tradition of service while supporting charitable and community causes throughout Holyoke and the surrounding area. Their work has included supporting Kate’s Kitchen, local food drives, veterans, nursing home residents, charitable benefits, the preservation of Irish gravesites, and numerous other community causes.

“Holyoke has always been home to us, and we’ve been fortunate to be part of a community that has given our family so much over the years,” said Joe and Mary Kate O’Connor. “We’ve always believed that if you’re fortunate enough to be part of a community, you have a responsibility to give back. Our involvement with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians has given us wonderful opportunities to work alongside family, friends and fellow members to support local families, veterans, seniors, charitable organizations, and causes throughout our community. Our Irish heritage is a very important part of who we are, but it has always been about more than preserving traditions – it’s about coming together, helping others, and bringing people together. We are truly honored to receive this award and grateful for the many friendships, memories, and opportunities to serve that have come from being part of the Holyoke community.”

Their connection to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade also spans generations of tradition and community celebration. Joe and Mary Kate have supported the Parade season, including the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race and the many events and traditions that bring residents together each year. They both have also been honored as “AOH Irish Man” and “LAOH Irish Woman” of the Year by their respective organizations.

For Mary Kate, that commitment to Irish heritage is also deeply personal. She is the daughter of Maggie (Rowan) Cadigan and the late John Cadigan, both of whom came to Holyoke from Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland. A first-generation Irish American, Mary Kate has developed a passion for ancestry research and is currently pursuing certification in Irish genealogy, continuing to explore the family history that connects her to Ireland and to Holyoke’s Irish community.

“Joe and Mary Kate will be the first to credit their fellow members of the AOH and LAOH for all they accomplish, but their leadership and commitment are a big part of what makes these organizations such an active force in our community,” said St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke President, Stephanie Joyce. “Their service is a wonderful example of what the Citizenship Award represents – giving back, bringing people together, and strengthening the community we all call home. We are proud to recognize Joe and Mary Kate together with the 2027 Citizenship Award.”

Together, Joe and Mary Kate O’Connor have demonstrated the true spirit of citizenship through their years of service, volunteerism, and involvement in the people, organizations, and traditions that make Holyoke a strong community. Their dedication to helping others and giving back to the city they call home makes them deserving recipients of the 2027 Citizenship Award.

Joe and Mary Kate O’Connor will be formally honored at the Coronation Ball & Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 20, 2027, at The Log Cabin. Additional details and ticket information will be announced.