Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was honored to join the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee for the annual Parade Marshall’s Reception at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club on Sunday afternoon. Mayor Sarno had a great time, and plenty of laughs, as he joined at the JBO to bring greetings and present a mayoral citation to this year’s Parade Marshall, Elizabeth “Beth” Hawley.
Mayor Sarno also presented citations to each of 2026 St. Patrick’s Parade Committee award honorees: John & Agnes Burke Awardee John Ford; Paul G. Caron Awardee Joe Christofori; and Mary B. Troy Awardee The City Line Café. He also recognized the 2026 Springfield Colleen Anna O’Toole, and her court: Anna Flanagan, Siobhan MacDonnell, Emma Westbrooks, and Sophia Dow. Mayor Sarno presented a proclamation to John Goonan, the 2026 John Boyle O’Reilly Club Irish Person of the Year.
Parade Marshal Beth Hawley is an award-winning educator, currently serving as principal at St. Thomas the Apostle School. She was recognized three times in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,” received the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence, and the western MA Junior Achievement Teacher of the year awards. She has been teaching in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Springfield for 41 years, and also coached basketball, soccer, and softball. Hawley, a Springfield resident, grew in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood. Hawley will lead the Springfield contingent in the St. Patrick’s Parade in Holyoke on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Mayor Sarno states, “A very special congratulations to our 2026 Springfield Parade Marshal, award-winning educator Beth Hawley, on this well-deserved recognition of her contributions to our Springfield and Irish community, especially our youth as a dedicated teacher, coach, and mentor. I am also honored to congratulate Springfield Colleen Anna O’Toole, as well as this year’s awardees: John & Agnes Burke Awardee, my friend and old soccer teammate, who does so much for our youth especially with the Special Olympics, John Ford; also someone who’s heart is truly in his community, his home that he loves, our local Hungry Hill historian Paul G. Caron Awardee Joe Christofori; and the place that feels ‘like everybody knows your name’, a neighborhood and community staple that also gives back, the Mary B. Troy Awardee The City Line Café. Congratulations to all!”
“I also want to thank our Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and our friends at the JBO for keeping our city’s Irish heritage and traditions strong. Irish-Americans have truly enriched our city of Springfield, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and our nation. For the month of March, as Mayor ‘O’Sarno’ I will proudly celebrate our St. Patrick’s Day festivities with our Irish community. I am looking forward to the parade in Holyoke in a few weeks, and celebrating with our Irish community on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th with Mass at Sacred Heart Church and the raising of the Irish flag at City Hall. Good health, God Bless, and Sláinte!”
