Thomas J. Mackin
2026 Grand Marshal
Tom is married to Bridget McNamara Mackin. They are the proud parents of seven, Thomas, Daniel, Caitlin, Bridget, Colleen, Patrick and Erin. They have three grandchildren, Thomas, Daniel and Maeve, with a fourth due in February.
Tom attended St. Edward High School, Lakeland Community College and Baldwin Wallace. He had a wonderful career as a Paramedic working in Cleveland EMS, Lakewood Fire as a Paramedic Supervisor. Although retired as a Paramedic, he is busy as a Realtor and a driver with American Limousine.
Tom is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the West Side Irish American Club. He was a member of the Colonial Boys, a Marching Unit of the West Side Irish American Club in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the United States. He served as a Delegate and Deputy Director of the United Irish Societies prior to serving as Executive Director from 1992-95. In 2025, he was honored to receive the Raymond “Rip” and Mary Reilly Memorial Directors Emeritus Award for his service to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Mackins are parishioners of St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River. Tom serves as an Usher and Eucharistic Minister.
Tom is an example to his children of someone who loves and is proud of his Irish Heritage.
His sons played Gaelic Football and his daughters Irish Danced. All the Mackin children have followed Tom’s footsteps marching with the West Side Irish American Club’s Units, Junior Fife and Drum, Majorettes, Pom-Poms, Senior Fife and Drum and the Ladies Drill Team.
Tom Mackin is a wonderful representative of the Irish Community. His family and all those participating in the Parade look forward to following him up the Avenue.
Midge Gannon
2026 Irish Mother of the Year
Mary Catherine Ginley was born to John and Margaret Ginley. She has one brother, Pat, who gave her the nickname Midge. Midge grew up in St. Colman Parish and then moved to St Patrick Parish (West Park). She graduated from Magnificat High School. Midge has been married to husband Brendan for 58 years. They have three children who all attended catholic schools, St. Patrick West Park, St. Ignatius and Magnificat. All went on to college where they earned a total of five degrees. She has five grandchildren, Maeve, Fiona and Conall Gannon and Colin and Gavin Wright.
Midge began Irish dance at age of six with teachers Tom Scott and Kevin Shanahan. At the age of 12 she took her first trip to Ireland with other dancers to learn new dance steps to take back to their dance school. Kevin's sister Murial graciously kept them at her home.
Her introduction to the West Side Irish American Club was when she would have dance practice there. She danced at the "Burning of the Mortgage" on Madison Ave. Bobby Masterson took over the class and she helped him as a teacher for many years. Daughter Marian and granddaughter Fiona have kept Midge involved in the world of Irish dance. Brendan and their sons have also played Gaelic Football with Midge as their cheerleader.
Midge began her working career at East Ohio Gas Co. Later she worked as a Librarian at St. Patrick's (West Park) elementary school for 30 years. She is happily retired although she does work occasionally at Casey's Irish Imports.
Midge is a member of the West Side Irish American, Total Abstinence Society and is a Delegate of the United Irish Societies of Cleveland. In 2014, she was honored as the West Side Irish American Club Woman of the Year. Midge has been a member of the Total Abstinence Society for over 50 years. Her and her husband Brendan were recognized as Couple of the Year.
When Lonnie McCauley started to organize a library for the WSIA, Midge volunteered to assist her. She has been Chairwoman of the committee since it opened. This committee has brought in speakers on a variety of Irish topics.
The Gannons are parishioners of St. Patrick Parish (West Park). She was an active member and an officer for the Altar and Rosary Society and selected as "Special Lady" in 1998.
She is honored to be chosen as Irish Mother of the Year 2026.
Donna M. Leary
2026 Inside Co-Chair
Donna M. Leary was born on April 30, 1946, to Margaret and Palmer Smith in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the oldest of four siblings – three brothers and a sister. She attended St. Colman Grade School and went on to St. Stephen High School, graduating in 1964. In 1970, Donna married the love of her life, Alex, and together they raised two children, Patrick and Michele, in Olmsted Township. Donna is the proud grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters, Morgan and Annabel.
Donna began her career in the fast-paced hospitality industry. In the mid-1970s, she worked as secretary to the general manager of the Sheraton Airport Hotel, providing first-class service to guests and VIPs alike. She later joined the American Red Cross, where she was responsible for tracking employee schedules and timesheets for blood-drive staff throughout Northeast Ohio. She retired in 2016.
Donna’s involvement in the Cleveland Irish community steadily increased after Alex’s passing in 1990. She joined the West Side Irish American Club, where she has been an active member for decades. Her first volunteer role was assisting with the WSIA’s commemorative opening-day book. Since then, she has joined the Drill Team, catered at the WSIA, and continues to support many club activities.
Donna joined the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1995 and has held many roles within the organization. She was a member of the Ohio Degree Team and served four years as President of the Our Lady of the Rosary Division. She has been active on her division’s nominating committee and has attended countless state and national conventions. In 2020, Donna was honored with the Mary of the Gael Award for her outstanding dedication and service.
Over the past five years, Donna has served on the Cleveland Feis Committee, assisting with event planning and volunteer coordination. She is honored to represent the Brady Campbell School of Irish Dance as their Parade Delegate. In addition, she is an active member of the Irish American Club – East Side and the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland. Donna’s commitment to preserving and promoting Irish heritage remains strong. On Mondays, you will find Donna at the “House of Champions” after-school program on Cleveland’s near west side, providing a safe environment for doing homework and learning valuable life skills.
Donna is honored to be the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Inside Co-Chair and wishes everyone the blessings of St. Patrick.
Bob Crawford
2026 Outside Co-Chair
Bob Crawford was born in Cleveland and raised in Lyndhurst. He attended Brush High School, Kent State University and Cleveland State University. He received a Master’s Degree in Technology in Education and History.
Bob is married to Sheila Murphy Crawford, and they will celebrate their 45th anniversary in June 2026. The Crawfords are parishioners of St. Dominic Parish and reside in Mayfield Heights. He recently retired as Chair of the Social Studies Department at Beaumont High School.
Bob is a member of the Cleveland Feis Society, Irish American Club – East Side, Murphy Irish Arts and the West Side Irish American Club. He has been a dedicated volunteer with the Cleveland Feis serving as Vice President for 12 years and coordinating the Feis Schedule of dancers, judges, stage building and volunteer’s duties.
Murphy Irish Arts has been honored to have Bob work for them in many capacities for the past 47 years. Since the founding of the Irish Dance School, he has been involved in dancing, choreography, set design, music and costumes as well as float design and other construction projects. Bob is responsible for the administrative duties of the center.
Not one afraid to get his hands dirty, Bob’s service to the Irish Community includes his dedication to the Irish Cultural Gardens as a volunteer for over 45 years. His duties include weeding, pruning, planting and cleaning the garden. He is also a major player in the annual One World Day celebration in the Irish Garden making it one of the premier gardens on that day including providing the music.
It is not all work and no play for Bob; as an Irish musician he has played for many of the Irish organizations in Cleveland. Over the years he has brought the joy of Irish melodies and traditions to audiences everywhere with his warm personality and humor.
His commitment to the Irish Community is remarkable and Bob is honored to be recognized as the United Irish Societies 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Outside Co-Chair.
Past Honorees
- 1958
- Grand Marshal - John J. O'Malley*
- 1959
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. O'Malley*
- 1960
- Grand Marshal - John T. English*
- Inside Co-Chair - Raymond J. Reilly*
- Outside Co-Chair - William F. Chambers*
- 1961
- Grand Marshal - William J. Cannon*
- Inside Co-Chair - William T. Monroe*
- Outside Co-Chair - James P. Conway*
- 1962
- Grand Marshal - Thomas E. McDonald*
- Inside Co-Chair - James M. Lynch*
- Outside Co-Chair - James J. Lynch*
- 1963
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Lynch*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Celia Carney*
- Inside Co-Chair - Joseph P. Rochford*
- Outside Co-Chair - James T. Kilbane*
- 1964
- Grand Marshal - Michael McGlynn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Margaret Spellacy*
- Inside Co-Chair - Martin J. Cooney*
- Outside Co-Chair - William F. Sweeney*
- 1965
- Grand Marshal - Arthur McChrystal*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Agnes Chambers*
- Inside Co-Chair - Augustine Boland*
- Outside Co-Chair - James T. Breslin*
- 1966
- Grand Marshal - James T. Kilbane*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Margaret Browne*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary V. McNeeley*
- Outside Co-Chair - Ignatius E. McIntyre*
- 1967
- Grand Marshal - James M. Lynch*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Catherine Kline*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary E. Reynolds*
- Outside Co-Chair - Daniel L. Berry*
- 1968
- Grand Marshal - John E. Ryan*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget Boland*
- Inside Co-Chair - Eamon D'Arcy*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Barrett, MD*
- 1969
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Scott*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Elizabeth Kenny*
- Inside Co-Chair - James E. Murray*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. Michael A. Sweeney*
- 1970
- Grand Marshal - James J. Boland*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bernadette Murphy*
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas Byrne*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas Coughlin*
- 1971
- Grand Marshal - Michael B. Comer*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Esther Kilbane*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary B. Cook*
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas F. Campbell, PhD*
- 1972
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Duffy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Beatrice Lynch*
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick J. O'Malley*
- Outside Co-Chair - Canon Liam J. Kitt*
- 1973
- Grand Marshal - Hon. George J. McMonagle*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Reynolds*
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick W. O'Malley*
- Outside Co-Chair - James B. Mooney*
- 1974
- Grand Marshal - John P. McNea*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Sweeney*
- Inside Co-Chair - Ralph Connor*
- Outside Co-Chair - James W. McGorray*
- 1975
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. Byrnes*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anna Rita Kilbane*
- Inside Co-Chair - Oliver E. Murphy*
- Outside Co-Chair - William J. Kiernan*
- 1976
- Grand Marshal - James M. Carney*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Delia McIntyre*
- Inside Co-Chair - Edward J. Campbell*
- Outside Co-Chair - Patrick J. Gallagher*
- 1977
- Grand Marshal - Thomas F. McManamon Sr.*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Not Presented
- Outside Co-Chair - Peter D. Corrigan, MD*
- Inside Co-Chair - Frank M. Sheehan*
- 1978
- Grand Marshal - Patrick J. McGeever*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Delia Gibbons*
- Inside Co-Chair - Maura Dowdall*
- Outside Co-Chair - John J. Gill*
- 1979
- Grand Marshal - Bryan Kilbane (In Memoriam)*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Loretta Prendergast*
- Inside Co-Chair - Margaret Mylett*
- Outside Co-Chair - James P. Reynolds*
- 1980
- Grand Marshal - Oliver E. Murphy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Howard O'Malley*
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Reynolds*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. Ann McManamon*
- 1981
- Grand Marshal - Canon Liam J. Kitt*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Hastings*
- Inside Co-Chair - John Coyne*
- Outside Co-Chair - Hon. John V. Corrigan*
- 1982
- Grand Marshal - Martin L. McLaughlin*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Beatrice McIntyre*
- Inside Co-Chair - Michael G. Lavelle*
- Outside Co-Chair - John P. Coyne
- 1983
- Grand Marshal - Michael McGarry*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anne Grey*
- Inside Co-Chair - Edmund P. Byrne*
- Outside Co-Chair - Terrence Joyce*
- 1984
- Grand Marshal - John T. Patton Sr.*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Terese Hurley*
- Inside Co-Chair - Deneen C. O'Reilly
- Outside Co-Chair - Leo P. D'Arcy*
- 1985
- Grand Marshal - John O'Neill*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Ursula Lynch*
- Inside Co-Chair - Patrick T. Murphy
- Outside Co-Chair - John O'Brien
- 1986
- Grand Marshal - Michael Roddy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary O'Neill*
- Inside Co-Chair - Eileen A. Reynolds
- Outside Co-Chair - Kevin W. Reynolds
- 1987
- Grand Marshal - Thomas McCaffrey*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Hanna Byrnes*
- Inside Co-Chair - Daniel M. Corcoran*
- Outside Co-Chair - John F. McGarry
- 1988
- Grand Marshal - Owen R. Quinn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget Birney*
- Inside Co-Chair - Walter J. McNally
- Outside Co-Chair - Richard A. Walton
- 1989
- Grand Marshal - Hon. Gerald T. McFaul
- Irish Mother of the Year - Angela Kerrigan*
- Inside Co-Chair - Stephen L. Mulloy*
- Outside Co-Chair - Roger S. Weist*
- 1990
- Grand Marshal - James P. Reynolds*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Noreen Garriga
- Inside Co-Chair - Margaret A. Lackey
- Outside Co-Chair - Sean Anthony Boland*
- 1991
- Grand Marshal - John B. Quinn*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Cooney*
- Inside Co-Chair - Peter B. Hannon
- Outside Co-Chair - Thomas O'Neill*
- 1992
- Grand Marshal - Terry Joyce*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bette Berry*
- Inside Co-Chair - Robert E. Hearns*
- Outside Co-Chair - John Togher*
- 1993
- Grand Marshal - Alphonsus O'Leary
- Irish Mother of the Year - Julia Burke*
- Inside Co-Chair - Thomas J. Ross*
- Outside Co-Chair - Helen C. Malloy
- 1994
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Byrne*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Jordan*
- Inside Co-Chair - Marilyn Madigan
- Outside Co-Chair - John J. Hennessy*
- 1995
- Grand Marshal - Edward Campbell*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Pauline Gallagher*
- Inside Co-Chair - Rita Lally
- Outside Co-Chair - Paul Gallagher*
- 1996
- Grand Marshal - Thomas Ross*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Eileen Hennessy*
- Inside Co-Chair - Toby Haffey*
- Outside Co-Chair - John Campbell*
- 1997
- Grand Marshal - Joseph Boland*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Celine O'Leary
- Inside Co-Chair - James Kilbane
- Outside Co-Chair - Dennis Dunn*
- 1998
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Kilbane*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mae Moore Keenan*
- Inside Co-Chair - Bonnie K. McNally
- Outside Co-Chair - Sr. Maureen Burke SND
- 1999
- Grand Marshal - Raymond "Rip" Reilly*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Kilbane*
- Inside Co-Chair - John J. Togher
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. J. Brendan McNulty
- 2000
- Grand Marshal - William Chambers*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Nora Carr*
- Inside Co-Chair - Linda Carney
- Outside Co-Chair - James McGuirk
- 2001
- Grand Marshal - Lonnie McCauley*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Sara McLaughlin*
- Inside Co-Chair - Bridie Joyce
- Outside Co-Chair - Bridget Boland*
- 2002
- Grand Marshal - Frank Sheehan*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Hastings-McCluskey
- Inside Co-Chair - Tom Kilbane
- Outside Co-Chair - Pat Dowd
- 2003
- Grand Marshal - Eamonn D'Arcy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary O'Donnell Hayes*
- Inside Co-Chair - Rasa M. Chambers
- Outside Co-Chair - Harry Simon*
- 2004
- Grand Marshal - James Patrick Caffrey*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Anne O'Donnell Mulloy*
- Inside Co-Chair - Frank Hoban*
- Outside Co-Chair - Nell Buckley*
- 2005
- Grand Marshal - Helen Malloy
- Irish Mother of the Year - Patricia Campbell*
- Inside Co-Chair - Linda Hannon
- Outside Co-Chair - Kevin McGinty*
- 2006
- Grand Marshal - Bill Carney*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Joan Cavanaugh*
- Inside Co-Chair - Ed Morrow*
- Outside Co-Chair - Gerald Quinn
- 2007
- Grand Marshal - Stephen L. Mulloy*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Ellen Boland*
- Inside Co-Chair - Mary Alice Fitzgerald
- Outside Co-Chair - Kathy Whitford
- 2008
- Grand Marshal - John Campbell*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Hough*
- Inside Co-Chair - Michael Keenan
- Outside Co-Chair - Norine Hastings
- 2009
- Grand Marshal - Tom Reynolds*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Shirley Chambers*
- Inside Co-Chair - Maire Leffel
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. James P. O'Donnell
- 2010
- Grand Marshal - John Hayes*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bonnie McNally
- Inside Co-Chair - Shannon Corcoran
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Thomas Johns
- 2011
- Grand Marshal - Gerry Quinn
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Lackey Sheehan
- Inside Co-Chair - Sheila Murphy Crawford
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Thomas Mahoney
- 2012
- Grand Marshal - Walter J. "Mickey" McNally
- Irish Mother of the Year - Vera Casey*
- Inside Co-Chair - Una O'Leary Escolas
- Outside Co-Chair - William G. Chambers
- 2013
- Grand Marshal - Kevin McGinty*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Una Ellis*
- Inside Co-Chair - Timothy Leahy
- Outside Co-Chair - Daniel B. Chambers
- 2014
- Grand Marshal - Andy Dever
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridie Joyce
- Inside Co-Chair - John O'Brien Jr.
- Outside Co-Chair - Mark Owens
- 2015
- Grand Marshal - Daniel M. Corcoran*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Patricia Hollywood
- Inside Co-Chair - Maire O'Leary Manning
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Bob Begin*
- 2016
- Grand Marshal - Jack Coyne*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget McIntyre
- Inside Co-Chair - John Myers
- Outside Co-Chair - Teresa Reilly Kowalski
- 2017
- Grand Marshal - Roger S. Weist*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Angela Murphy*
- Inside Co-Chair - Margaret Lynch
- Outside Co-Chair - John Patrick Lackey
- 2018
- Grand Marshal - Sheila Murphy Crawford
- Irish Mother of the Year - Joan (Hartnett) Reali
- Inside Co-Chair - Noreen Halley
- Outside Co-Chair - Linda Burke*
- 2019
- Grand Marshal - William "Bill" Homan
- Irish Mother of the Year - Eileen Kilroy
- Inside Co-Chair - Patti Maher Hanrahan
- Outside Co-Chair - Sr. Corita Ambro
- 2020
- Grand Marshal - Thomas J. Scanlon*
- Irish Mother of the Year - Kathleen Mangan
- Inside Co-Chair - Maureen Mohney
- Outside Co-Chair - Christopher Cooper
- 2021
- No New Honorees Selected
- 2022
- Grand Marshal - Thomas F. McManamon Jr.
- Irish Mother of the Year - Rita Lally
- Inside Co-Chair - Patricia Coleman Lavelle
- Outside Co-Chair - Eileen Mangan Stull
- 2023
- Grand Marshal - Michael F. "Mickey" Coyne
- Irish Mother of the Year - Bridget Conway*
- Inside Co-Chair - Maureen Cavanaugh
- Outside Co-Chair - Kevin McDonough
- 2024
- Grand Marshal - Patrick T. Murphy
- Irish Mother of the Year - Patricia Homan
- Inside Co-Chair - David J. McLaughlin
- Outside Co-Chair - Fr. Francis Walsh
- 2025
- Grand Marshal - Shannon M. Corcoran
- Irish Mother of the Year - Mary Murphy Joyce
- Inside Co-Chair - Katie Schmitt
- Outside Co-Chair - Michael J. Conkey
*Past Honoree Has Been Called Home