Pat Troy, Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade Founder, Dies

Pat Troy, a businessman and founder of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Alexandria, died Thursday morning at age 76. He and his wife Bernadette are Irish immigrants and were owners of Irish Walk on King Street.

"Pat helped many people and had a lasting impact on Alexandria. He was a dear friend and will be sorely missed," said Mayor Allison Silberberg tweeted in a statement announcing his passing.

Born in England to Michael and Kathleen Troy in 1941, he grew up in County Offaly, Ireland, according to The Arlington Catholic Herald. He was working as a butler in Ireland when an American tourist began a conversation and offered to sponsor him to live and work in America. In 1962, Troy immigrated to the U.S. and began serving as a butler to families from Detroit to Washington, D.C.

He met his wife Bernadette, who had immigrated from Ireland in 1959, in the DC area. The Troys have lived in Alexandria for the past 40 years and have two children, Patrick and Kathleen.

In 1980, the Troys used their savings to take over Irish Walk, a store selling souvenirs and other goods from Ireland. In 1980, the couple opened Ireland’s Own, a now-closed Irish pub in Old Town Alexandria. Among the pub's memories was a surprise visit from President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The president gave a speech in the packed pub, which was videotaped and later given to Troy. The pub had also hosted Irish ambassadors and a gathering for President Obama's inauguration.

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 played a key role in starting the Irish festival, another big draw for visitors to Alexandria each year. Troy founded the Ballyshaners, the organization that now runs the parade and festival.

A fierce advocate for small business owners, Troy unsuccessfully ran twice for city council as a Republican. Nevertheless he continued to appear before the council to advocate for small businesses. He served two terms as a governor on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association and was named an Alexandria Living Legend in 2010.

He is survived by his wife Bernadette, children Patrick and Kathleen and other family.

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.

Additional information from Pat Troy's Alexandria Living Legends profile

Image of Pat and Bernadette Troy by Mike Pablo/Ballyshaners