Funeral Services Announced For Pat Troy

Funeral services have been announced for Pat Troy, a businessman and founder of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Alexandria. He died March 22 at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.

A wake is set for Friday, April 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street. A Mass will happen on Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at The Basilica of St. Mary, 310 S. Royal Street. Internment immediately follows at St. Mary Cemetery, 1001 S. Royal Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families, 4901 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 and Christ House 131 S. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Originally from Kilcormac, County Offaly, Ireland, Troy immigrated to the U.S., where he worked as a butler for prominent families like the Kennedys. He met his wife Bernadette, also an Irish immigrant, in the DC area. They have been married for 52 years and have called Alexandria home for 40 years. They were owners of Irish Walk on King Street and the former Ireland's Own pub, where Troy hosted President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

In 1982, the Troys founded the St. Patrick's Day Parade, which draws large crowds to King Street every year. At this year's parade on March 18, the Troys served as grand marshals. He founded the volunteer group the Ballyshaners, which coordinates the parade today.

Troy is survived by his wife Bernadette, his children Kathleen and Patrick, his son-in-law Alan, daughter-in-law Dow, granddaughters Mairead and Reyha and brothers, Michael and Desmond.

See his full obituary and leave condolences here.

Image via Mike Pablo/Ballyshaners