Past President’s Message

The 2024-2025 Parade and green season presented us with many highlights and memories which will be remembered for years to come. From regional events we supported our own events, we sure showed what a family we are and how strong we are together. Thank you one and all.

Nine remarkable young women participated in the Colleen Contest, and am glad I was not a Judge. The Judges were great and selected for 2025 Erin Gauthier, Abigail Huebner, Erin O'Donnell, Maura Joseph and our Grand Colleen Moira Reardon. Moira, you represented our community and the Irish heritage with much pride, thank you, To my Parade Committee family and Committee Award recipients - Devin Sheehan, Jeff Walsh, and Jim Meenaghan, it is a blessing to have you on the team, our parade success relies on you. Thank you again.

To our Citizenship Award Recipient Fr. Robert Gentile Jr., welcome back to Holyoke. For me personally I am blessed to have you as my Pastor as well. Thanks for your years of friendship and spiritual guidance to the Parade Committee.

Our Ambassador Award Recipient Fred Sullivan, Fred you are a true friend and we are pleased that you and Judy were able to go down the Parade route and enjoy your much deserved honor. You are a true Irish gentleman and were deserving of the Ambassador Award. Stay Irish my friend*

I was speechless when I received the news that Bridget Moynihan was selected as our John F. Kennedy National Award Recipient. As a Blue Bloods fan, being front and center all weekend with Erin Reagan was a gift not soon forgotten. Bridget is now a part of this amazing Parade family, and we thank her for sharing her son Jack and husband Andrew with us as well. Bridget, thank you for the memories.

To my Grand Marshal, Jim Lavelle. Words cannot describe the true character of this gentleman. Jim, it was my honor to share the streets of Holyoke with you and the Lavelle family as we marched on Parade Day. Jim is a pillar of the community; Holyoke is blessed to Jim and his family. The success of Homecoming Weekend is not possible without the support of our Regional Committee's, our generous sponsors, Public Safety Officials, DPW Staff, Municipal Officials, Volunteer's and you my entire Parade family. To all our performers, floats, bands and marchers a sincere thank you.

It was my honor to be a Frech guy from Chicopee leading the Irish Parade in Holyoke, I am still smiling. I want to say thank you to my family for sharing in this memorable moment. Thank you all for the support you have given to Patty and myself. May the road rise to meet you and may God hold you in the palm of his hands.

John Beaulieu
2025 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee President