Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee executive chairman to be 'roasted'

NEW HAVEN - A “friendly” winter roast of Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Executive Chairman Robert Shanley, who also was the parade’s 1982 Grand Marshal, will begin as 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at O’Tooles Irish Pub, 157 Orange St. The event will include a buffet and pig roast, and entertainment by the Jolly Beggars. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will benefit the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Tickets are available at O’Tooles, the Knights of St. Patrick at 1533 State St., or by calling Patrick Smith at 203-494-0640 or Kevin A. Smith at 203-535-3694. Shanley, “a popular figure in many organizations as well as the Irish community, is very active in his hometown of Orange,” where he has lived since 1972, organizers said in a release. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, Shanley and his wife, Donna, have two grown children and two granddaughters. Shanley has held several civic and political posts in Orange. Among his other endeavors, Shanley has served as president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut, and as its national director for the last six years; he served as president of the Knights of St. Patrick; president of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement, New Haven Chapter, and served on its National Executive Committee helping more than 48,000 Irish immigrants in a three year period to legally enter this country via the Morrison Visa Program, many settling in the New Haven area, the release said. His is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, West Haven Irish American Club, Knights of St. Patrick, American Legion Post #88 (Hamden), and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. To purchase tickets by credit card or PayPal, visit www.stpatricksdayparade.org

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.