Fairfield University Alumni Honored for Starting Parade

The Greater Bridgeport St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee honored the two people who started the parade back in 1982, Bridgeport Mayor Leonard S. Paoletta and City Clerk Catherine Brannelly Austin. A Special Irish-Italian Night was held in their honor on November 9, 2017 at Circolo Sportivo Italian Club in Bridgeport, CT.

Paoletta, a retired Commissioner Connecticut’s Worker’s Compensation, was given the Founder’s Award by the Parade Committee and Catherine Brannelly Austin, now Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney in Waterbury, was honored with the Chairman’s Award.

Back in 1982 Mayor Paoletta asked Brannelly to organize a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Bridgeport but had no budget to provide. Brannelly accepted the challenge and organized one with about two dozen volunteers to create the parade with the late Martin Reidy as the first Grand Marshal in 1983.

Paoletta and Brannelly were very different. Paoletta had recently been elected the Republican Mayor of Bridgeport. Brannelly was elected as the Democratic City Clerk, the first woman to hold citywide elective office in Bridgeport. Paoletta is first generation Italian immigrant. Brannelly is from a second generation Irish family.

Their common bond was their Fairfield University education and Jesuit experience. Paoletta graduated in 1956 and went on to Georgetown Law School. Brannelly was a member of the first full graduating class of women in 1977 and later graduated from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

“After 35 years of successful parades, the Parade Committee wanted pause to honor Mayor Paoletta and City Clerk Brannelly," stated Thomas McCarthy, the 2017 Parade Grand Marshal. “Our parade is open to everyone to march in to celebrate the many contributions of immigrants in our region,” McCarthy added.

For more information about The Greater Bridgeport St Patrick’s Day Parade, visit: Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade Celebration