2012 "Green Sheets" Parade Line-up [PDF] (updated 3/14)

2012 Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade
30th Annual - March 17, 2012 at 12 noon

2012 Theme: Irish Roots in Ireland - Irish Spirits in Syracuse

2012 Grand Marshals

The leprechauns, as they do every single year, had a difficult time choosing from so many wonderful candidates in our community. So, this year they decided to choose two people who have really given to our parade over the years. Because these two individuals are both such gentlemen of distinction, I am going to do the only fair thing and announce them alphabetically.

The first is just a great man & a man who fits Nancy Duffy's definition of grand marshal perfectly. A grand man. He is a native of Central New York. He has lived in Skaneateles most, if not all, of his life. He remains an active volunteer firefighter with the Skaneateles Fire Department, he is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus, the Skaneateles Historical Society & the Austin Park Development Association. He is a former Supreme Court justice, and was Supervisor of the Town of Skaneateles from 1979 to 1992. He currently serves as a judicial hearing officer. He continues to be an usher at St. Mary's of the Lake Church where he has served for 51 years.

For more years than I care to count - this gentleman has been the lead marshal for the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade for the Grand Marshal division. Not only has he participated yearly, he has enlisted countless other friends & family members as marshals as well. He has proudly led this division as a worker & now it is our turn to honor him & have him march down Nancy Duffy Lane as a Grand Marshal himself.

He and his lovely wife, Peggy have eight children, Michael, Mary, Margaret, Mark, Matthew, Martha, Martin & Mitch and 26 grandchildren. I am so pleased to announce the hon. Charles T. Major, Jr., as one of this year's Grand Marshals.

Our second grand marshal this year is your consummate Irishman - who also fits Nancy Duffy's definition of a grand marshal. Born and raised on Tipperary Hill, the son of a Tipperary Hill Irishman and his wife, a graduate of Corcoran high school. This man has played a part in the success of our Parade throughout the years behind and "in front." He launched a successful fund raising campaign to keep the Parade going when our local economy hit hard times a few years ago. He, along with David Hayes, were our Parade announcers for several years on Nancy Duffy Lane.

In addition to the Parade, he has been involved with the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the Lung Association, Ronald McDonald House, and the Arthritis Foundation - just to name a few. As a young man, he joined the family business in 1969 and in 1976 entered into politics. He served on our County Legislator from 1976 to 2007, representing the Tipperary Hill area. He was so successful because the hallmark of his career was his ability to work across the aisle. This gentleman is now one of our Onondaga County Election Commissioners.

He is the nephew of one of our former Grand Marshals. He is married to his lovely wife, Peg, and has 3 children, Meghan, & twins, Chad & Jillian. He has a lovely granddaughter - Aveline. His son, Chad, has now joined the family business as the third generation in Edward J. Ryan & sons in funeral home. I am pleased to introduce our second 2012 grand marshal - Ed Ryan!!! -- Janet Higgins, President

2012 VIPs

As always, we want to welcome our VIPs to this year's Parade. If you are joining us for the Mass and the Parade, please arrive at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by 9:30 a.m. We will assemble near the rear vestibule, where I will present you with your reviewing stand credentials (VIP Button) and escort you to the “Dhuine Uasail” reserved seating area. Mass begins at 10:00 a.m.

After Mass, you will be transported to the staging area (on South Salina Street – in front of Clinton Square) on buses located in front of the Cathedral. Should you choose to join us after Mass, at Columbus Circle, you may do so at the bus and you will be given your credentials (VIP Button) at that time. If you will be joining us for the Parade, arrive just before noon. Your placement is in the Connacht Division which is our first division. Please assemble on Salina Street at the corner of East Genesee Street. Marshals will be there to assist you and we ask that you follow the Marshals' instructions.

We look forward to having all our “Dhuine Uasail” together as one group in the parade as we arrive at the reviewing stand and for television purposes .

President's Message

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig! (All the blessings of Patrick!)

The Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade began in 1982, founded by an amazing woman, Nancy Duffy, and a small group of her friends. Thirty years later, the Parade is stronger than ever—a grand tribute to the Irish of Central New York.

Since the Parade’s inception, we have been able to help support Project Children, founded by another outstanding woman, Kathleen Kelly. In 2005, we began the St. Patrick Hunger Project, to help feed those in need in Central New York. I am pleased to announce that due to the success of the St. Patrick Hunger Project, the food pantries in Central New York have been well supplied with food!

--Janet Higgins, President