News

2011 Grand Marshal Announced

January 30, 2011

Hon. Michael Dwyer Chosen 2011
St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal

When the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. on March 12, Oneida County Court Judge Michael L. Dwyer will be trading his gavel for a ceremonial shillelagh. Judge Dwyer was chosen from among a list of worthy nominees to serve as 2011 Grand Marshal in recognition for a lifetime of devotion to his community and to his Irish heritage.
"When I was asked to be the Grand Marshal I was very humbled," said Judge Dwyer, "I was obviously proud and honored but I was a little concerned there were people who were more deserving of the honor."
Despite his misgivings, the honor is well-deserved. Michael Dwyer has worked for the local Irish community in a number of capacities, chiefly in connection with his membership in the local John Devereux chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. An AOH brother for 16 years, Judge Dwyer served as vice president for four years and played a pivotal role in raising money for the Irish monument erected at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica to commemorate the Great Hunger. He also has played an important part in the annual AOH Mass in honor of fallen brothers, serving as main speaker for a number of years.
Judge Dwyer's ancestors made the trip from Ireland to Montreal in the mid 1800's and spent many years in the upstate town of Chateaugay before joining the Utica community in the 1940's. The central New York area obviously agreed with Michael, who never left, attending St. John the Evangelist in New Hartford and Notre Dame High School. After a brief time away to attend St. Lawrence University and St. John University School of Law, Mike Dwyer returned to begin a lifelong service to the Central New York legal community. Following a 15-year stint with the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, Dwyer was elected to serve as Oneida County Court Judge, a capacity in which he serves to this day.
But his major contribution to local charitable causes comes through his tireless work with the American Cancer Society, a cause to which he devoted himself after his son Liam was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. Today Liam, an Assistant District Attorney in Erie County, is cancer free, but the Dwyer family's commitment to the cause hasn't wavered. Through their hard work, including sponsorship of Team Liam in the local Relay for Life, approximately $120,000 has been raised to benefit the American Cancer Society. And Judge Dwyer has no plans to slow those efforts.
"We plan to continue to do whatever we can for this cause," promises Judge Dwyer.
A lifelong resident of Central New York, Mike and his wife Marty have four children, Liam, Caitlin and twins Sean and Kevin.