Prepared by Parade historian Gary Duncan
51st Annual St. Patrick’s Parade held Saturday, March 10, 2012
10 divisions named after Irish authors: James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Becket, Seamus
Heaney, Maeve Binchy, Brendan Behan,Lady Gregory, Oscar Wilde, Patrick Kavanagh,
Jonathan Swift.
At some points during the parade, people stood 6 or 7 deep from the curb.
Weather: Temps in the mid 30s-high temp 36 @ 3pm, 29 at noon. Sunny
More than 300 (309) runners, many decked in green shirts, leggings and hats, ran the 2 mile
Brian P. Kelly race. This was the 30th anniversary of a pre-parade race, & was the 7th year that
it was known as the Brian P. Kelly Memorial St. Patrick’s Parade 2-Mile Footrace. “It’s a way to
honor Brian,” race director Mike O’Malley stated.
Mark Nealon was parade president, John P. Nealon was honorary parade marshal,John
McCormick served as grand marshal, Mark C. Walsh was honorary grand marshal, Timothy J.
Pryal was grand marshal, the Reverend Bernard R. McIlhenny, S. J. served as honorary parade
chaplain. The Court of Honor was composed of Magisterial District Judges Thomas Golden,
James Kennedy, & Robert Russell.
The parade was dedicated in memory of Jamie O’Boyle & Matt Flynn
Timothy Murray, who was a 22 year Scranton firefighter died from cancer on Jan. 23 at age 54.
2,000 green T-Shirts that firefighters sold for the parade contained shamrocks with Mr. Murray’s
initials, “TJM,” & the date he passed away, “1-23-12.” It was a tribute to him said John Judge,
president of Scranton’s Firefighters. The city’s firefighters also wore green ties instead of the
usual dress blue tie in honor of Mr. Murray who always used to wear a blue tie with shamrocks
for the parade. Firefighters stopped in front of the reviewing stand & said a prayer in Mr.
Murray’s honor.
2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners include:
Judge T. Linus Hoban Patriotic Theme Award: Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League
Michael E. Cadden Irish Music Award: Dunmore H.S.
John J. Mahoney Irish Smiles Award: AOH & LAOH
John J. Corcoran Founders’ Award: Irem Temple
Donny Regan Scholastic Music Award: Western Wayne HS
Burt Stuckert Directors’ Choice Parade Loyalty Award: Scranton Fire Department
Presidents Award: Kelly’s Pub & Eatery