Mike Russell thought becoming the custodian at the Woodsdale Elementary School was a short-term stop following 25 years running a business.
Instead it resulted in a 20-year career and one of Abington’s highest recognitions: Grand Marshall of the Abington St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“It’s pretty cool, Russell told Abington News. “I was kinda shocked at the time but I’m honored to think about it.”
Sunday marks the 46th time St. Patrick will make the 1.7-mile pilgrimage from Abington Center to North Abington Center. Parade founder and organizer Jack Bailey said revelers can expect another procession filled with marching bands, civic organizations, floats, politicians, and public safety vehicles.
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. from St. Patrick’s Square in Abington Center, proceeds down Washington Street, up Adams Street, and hooks a right into North Abington Center.
Bailey encouraged spectators to arrive earlier than normal because of extra public safety measures that will be in place – fallout from the deadly parade attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve.
Roadways leading to the parade route will be closed earlier than usual and blocked with heavy equipment, Bailey said. Abington Police will also have plainclothes officers in the crowd and monitor the event with overhead drones.
Parade goers can park at Abington High School, or in public spaces on Railroad Street, and walk to the parade route.
Bailey said he’s expecting 11 bands this year, including the championship Abington High School marching band, multiple pipe and drum bands, Cosmo’s Legion Band, and the Waltham Legion Band, among others.
The Model-T Club will have a lineup of antique vehicles, Abington Bank will be passing out its new hat, and Hutcheon’s Flowers will distribute daffodils. Perennial award-winner Gouthro Plumbing has another float in the works but Bailey said he “didn’t want to know too much.”
One of the changes that will be noticed is at the judges stand. Longtime head judge Bob Kelley is unable to attend for the first time in four decades, Bailey said. Terry Maze will fill his shoes, along with Paul Ferris, Karen DiLorenzo, Barbara Rae, and Joe and Katherine Mortimer.
The parade’s organizing committee selected as Russell as Grand Marshall based on his years of volunteer work in the community and his two-decade role as the beloved caretaker of the Woodsdale.
Russell was hired as custodian in 2004 when it was still a multi-grade neighborhood elementary school. He saw seven principals come and go, as well as thousands of Abington students, entertaining them all with his Donald Duck imitation and piano playing skills.
Over the years he was also a Little League umpire and volunteered with the town’s soccer, basketball, and hockey leagues. Since 2016, Russell has also put his white beard to good use playing a very special role in the Abington Celebrates Christmas tree lighting event.
“We thought he deserved some recognition,” Bailey said of Russell’s selection.
Russell, who lives along the parade route, said this will be one of the first times he hasn’t watched the parade alongside a yardful of guests prior to serving up a traditional Irish boiled dinner. With his son, Josh, driving and grandchildren in the backseat, Russell said he’ll be focused on properly acknowledging the big crowd.
“I don’t want to be waving with my hand tilted silly,” he said. “I may add a few things to the process.”
Bailey, who is a close personal friend of St. Patrick, said the patron saint of Ireland is gearing up for his big day.
“He’s waiting to don his uniform and get back on the truck rabble-rousing the crowd, and get them going,” Bailey said.
Abington is one of the most Irish towns in the region. According to data from the American Community Survey, Plymouth County is home to the second highest percentage of residents claiming Irish ancestry by county – 28.45 percent – behind only Cape May, New Jersey with 28.65 percent.
Within Plymouth County, Abington has the 6th highest concentration of Irish descendents with 36 percent claiming Irish heritage. Hanover tops the list with just under 42 percent; Abington’s onetime south precinct, Whitman, is fifth with 39 percent.
The first Abington St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 1979, featuring Bailey and friends driving around in decorated cars and trucks. It has since evolved into one of the region’s biggest parades. The parade was technically canceled during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, but St. Patrick still made the trip along the parade route to keep the tradition going.
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