Hobart and William Smith Colleges

15 March 2012 Plunkett 81: St. Pattys Day Marshal

Patrick Plunkett 81 was elected by the United Irish American Association (UIAA) to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 71st Annual Saint Patricks Day Parade in Buffalo, N.Y. Patrick named his three brothers: Daniel 85, John and Michael Plunkett as his Deputy Marshals. The parade will take place on Sunday, March 18, on Delaware Avenue at 2 p.m.

In addition to his brothers, Plunketts sister Margaret, mother Patricia, and wife Colleen will lead the grand marshal family entry with his four children: Megan, Anna, Sean and Erin; relatives; and friends.

The annual St. Patricks Day Parade, which was first held nearly 100 years ago on March 17, 1916, is Buffalos largest celebration of Irish heritage. This year, the United Irish American parade will have more than 150 units, including bagpipers, high school bands, Irish dance schools, parishes from across the city, military units, a contingent from Mercy Hospital, and fraternal and cultural organizations from across the region.

Plunkett has been a member of the executive committee of the UIAA for many years, with his commitment growing from helping with the line-up of the parade to announcing at the reviewing stand to chairing the first annual Celtic Challenge in 2011, a four-mile run to help fund the Saint Patricks Day Parade.

After leaving Hobart, he returned to his high school, Canisius High School in Buffalo, where he both served as the Dean of Students and a coach for many students.

Plunkett currently works for Jackson National Life and is a student at Christ the King Seminary, where he is working toward his masters degree in pastoral care ministry. He has held previous positions with Allmerica Financial and State Mutual Life Assurance Co. of America.

Plunkett graduated with a bachelors in English from Hobart, where he was he played football and was an All-American lacrosse player.