Local Icon Named Grand Marshal Of St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Jim Monahan, aka “Toots”, has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2020 Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Every small town has that guy “who would give you the shirt off his back.” In Hoosick Falls, NY, his name is Jim Monahan.
Jim was born into to a large Irish Catholic family in the Clay Hill section of Hoosick Falls, headed by his late parents, Jim and Catherine Monahan, who were both fiercely proud of their Irish heritage and their hometown. He is the devoted husband of Colleen Pierce Monahan, proud father of Matthew, Kevin and Stefanie, and doting grandfather to Amelia, Andrew, William and Jack.
With Irish lineage on both sides of the family, Jim’s great-great maternal grandparents, the Connors, were tenant farmers from County Mayo in Ireland. They immigrated to America during the Potato Famine and sailed by ship from Cobh, Ireland to New York and settled in nearby Easton. The Monahan Family hailed from County Cork and his great-great grandmother from County Wexford. She left Ireland and entered the United States through Ellis Island in 1867.
Monahan graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School in 1971 and the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1976. He started his pharmacy career in Bennington and eventually made his way back to Hoosick Falls to work at Thorpe’s Pharmacy. In 1983, he became the proprietor.
Jim bent over backwards to serve his patrons and community, staying late or opening early to fill a prescription for a sick child – or patiently explaining dosing information or working through complex insurance issues until well past closing time.
Under Jim’s cheerful and compassionate helm, Thorpe’s Pharmacy became a community hub – place to pick up your prescription, see a familiar, friendly face and trade in the news of the day. In other small towns, mom-and-pop businesses were fading, but Thorpe’s Pharmacy bucked the trend and remains the heart and soul of downtown Hoosick Falls to this day.
Jim’s many and proud accomplishments include attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, acting as a trustee at Hudson Valley Community College, and holding office as Rensselaer County legislator.
Jim has long supported and worked with many local organizations including the Hoosick Falls Country Club, Wood Memorial Road Race, Hoosick Falls Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary’s Academy, Hoosick Falls Community Center, HAYC3, several sports teams, and many other organizations.
Jim made it his goal to always care for people, patients, and families every day in Hoosick Falls and its surrounding communities. In his retirement, he plans to travel and spend time with his grandchildren.
The Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day parade will step off at 1 pm on March 14, 2020 on Main Street Hoosick Falls.