The 48th Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Parade will be held Sun., Mar. 15 with its walk down Market St., from the Boardman Township Government Center to Southwoods Dr. beginning at 1:00 p.m.
      The parade is one of the largest parades in the state of Ohio and draws some 25,000 spectators along its walk down Market St.
      Grand marshal for this year’s parade is Judy Higgins-Reardon, of Hunting Valley Dr. She is the youngest daughter of Jack Higgins and the former Barbara Ockerman.
      Her family has played a key role in the parade since it began. The Ockerman Award is named in honor of Judy’s uncle, William ‘Bill’ Ockerman, a founding member of the parade. The Ockerman Award is given each year to a parade marshal and acknowledges their commitment, service and contributions to the parade and the local Irish community. This year;’ Ockerman Award recipient will be Anthony ‘Bert’ Wainio, of Halbert Dr.
      Higgins-Reardon graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1983 and received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award from her alma mater in 2017.
      She graduated from John Carroll University in 1987 before joining her father, Jack Higgins, in the family business as a licensed funeral director. Judy and her late husband, Terry Reardon, became the proprietors in 1999 and subsequently incorporated the Reardon name into the business’s official name, Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes.
      Judy is also involved in the community as a sustainer for the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley and served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Charles Church.
      Wainio was born and raised in Liberty Township, a son of Josephine and William M. Wainio Jr. He is a graduate of Ursuline High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Cyndi Rega in 1989 and they have been blessed with two children, Fr. William N. Wainio and Emily Wainio Beardman.
      As parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena (St Luke), practicing their Catholic faith is at the forefront of Bert and Cyndi’s relationship---always trying to give of their time and talent to give back to the community. They also enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and in the summer months, enjoying their camper in Geneva.
      Anthony is a Past Grand Knight and member of the Knights of Coumbus Bishop Malone Council 12756, where is currently the financial secretary. He was a former District Deputy for Youngstown District 61 and is the current Faithful Navigator of the Fr. Corby Assembly 3137. He is also a member of St Luke Holy Name Society, American Legion,and Catholic War Vets. He has been a volunteer for the St Partick’s Parade for too many years to name.
      Bert, as he is known to his friends, grew up working in the family business then went into the aluminum extrusion business for more than 35 years. He is currently employed at Valley Industrial Trucks.