43
38th annual St. Patrick’s Day could feature presidential candidate
BOARDMAN
This year’s Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade could feature a first in its 38-year history: an appearance by a presidential candidate.
The parade organization has received inquiries from the Clinton and Sanders campaigns, parade organization president Joyce Kale-Pesta said.
Nothing has been decided, but Kale-Pesta said the organization would be happy to host a presidential candidate, even though it would pose logistical difficulties.
“I think that would be a great honor for us,” she said, noting that gubernatorial and congressional candidates have made appearances over the years.
The inquiries likely have to do with the timing: The parade will take place at 1 p.m. March 13, two days before the Ohio primary election.
The theme of this year’s parade – “The Claddagh: Love, Loyalty, Friendship – also ties in with current events, Kale-Pesta said.
It was chosen, she said, “because of what’s going on in the world today. We would like our country to be filled with friendship for each other, for our neighbor. The parade is a community event. It brings all peoples together in friendship.”
The parade will honor these people: the Rev. Timothy O’Neill, who will serve as grand marshal of the parade; James Doran, recipient of the Ockerman Award; and the Rev. John Edward Keehner, who will serve as Lord Mayor of Kilkenny.
Father O’Neill, who was ordained nearly 50 years ago, retired in 2015 as pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Hubbard. He previously worked as pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in New Middletown and for 17 years as a theology teacher at Cardinal Mooney High School.
“Throughout his life, Father Tim has been guided by his mantra, ‘Unselfish giving equals happiness.’ His giving and generosity have made him a very happy man indeed,” according to a statement from the parade organization.
Doran has been a parade marshal since 1998. He has worked for Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline high schools, IBM, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown and Fleming Leasing.
He works for Fox Funeral Home and lives in Boardman with his wife, Phyllis Farragher. They are members of St. Patrick Church in Youngstown.
Father Keehner serves as pastor of St. Christine Parish. He has been chaplain for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Golden Rose Division, since 2001. He joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 2005 and became their chaplain as well.
“Father Keehner has always lent a helping hand and spiritual guidance to the Irish community and is very deserving of being named Lord Mayor of Kilkenny,” according to a news release.
The parade route starts at McClurg Road near Market Street. It proceeds for 1.4 miles down Market Street and ends at Southwoods Place.
Event sponsors include The Vindicator, 21 WFMJ-TV and Cumulus Media.