Hometown Weekly Staff
Walpole celebrated St. Patrick with the Friends of St. Patrick’s annual parade and luncheon on March 11.
The festivities began at 11:15 a.m. in downtown Walpole, as the parade began. With warmer than average weather and a clear sky, many people lined the sidewalks donning St. Patrick’s Day clothing and colors to watch the parade.
Highlighting the parade was a performance by the Boston Police Gaelic Column. They provided traditional Irish bagpipe music during the parade and offered a performance at the end of the parade route.
After the parade, the celebrations continued with the annual luncheon at Demetri’s Function Facility in Foxboro. Hundreds of guests enjoyed a traditional lunch of corn beef, along with performances by members of the Harney Academy Step Dancers.
The lunch also served to honor Jack Connor for his lifelong dedication to the town of Walpole. He was picked to be this year’s Person of the Year.
Every year, the Friends of St. Patrick picks an outstanding member of the Walpole community to honor as its Person of the Year during the luncheon. The Person of the Year is chosen based on their contributions to the Walpole community.
Connor grew up in Norwood, and moved to Walpole in 1978. He practiced law and soon found himself involved in a number of charitable causes in the community. He has been involved in many different organizations over the years, including the Friends of the Council on Aging, the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Boston College, and many others.
He was also one of the original members of the Friends of St. Patrick board, and helped plan the very first Friends of St. Patrick luncheon.
But when Connor was appointed as a District Judge in 2000, he was forced to exit the charity community, because judges are forbidden from participating in charities that do any kind of fundraising. He was appointed a Superior Court judge in 2002, and retired from the position in 2012.
After retiring, Connor was eager to resume his involvement in Walpole-area charities. He began volunteering for the St. Vincent De Paul Society in Walpole. The organization provides assistance to people in emergency situations, including providing food, water shelter and other basic necessitates.
During the luncheon, Connor gave a speech after being handed the keys to the town and a check for a $30,000 donation to the St. Vincent De Paul Society from the Friends of St. Patrick.
“I am here today on behalf of all the founders, and I know I speak for them in saying congratulations to the Friends of St. Patrick for what they have done not just in raising money but in keeping the spirit of community so vibrant with this organization,” Connor said during his speech at the luncheon.
Connor also highlighted his work with the St. Vincent De Paul Society, noting that the organization offers its support to members of the community who are in need.
Click here to see more photos of the St. Patrick's parade and luncheon.
