St. Patrick's Day Parade 2026

Joseph is the son of the late Anthony and Marian (Shannahan) Mihalko. He was born in NYC and raised on the West Side of Binghamton where he still lives today.  Joseph is a member and very active in St. James Parish.  Joseph has been married to Mary Sever for 35 years and they have three children along with two grandsons.

Joseph has been a member of the Monsignor Lawrence E. Giblin Division One, Broome County AOH.  His contributions include being the AOH Hall Manager, Corp. President, Co-Chair of the Hibernian Parade Committee and is currently the Chairman of the Standing Committee.

Joe is retired after working 40 years in the electronics field including 26 years at IBM where he submitted several patent applications and holds one Trade Secret.  He was elected twice to the City of Binghamton City Council where he served for six years and was Council President.  He was elected twice to serve as Broome County Clerk.

Joe is tremendously proud of his Irish Ancestor Michael Shannahan who became an American citizen here in Binghamton in 1860 and served in the Civil War as part of the 155th Regiment NYS Volunteers which went on to be part of Corcorans' Irish Brigade and was present at the surrender at the Appomattox Court House.

Mikayla is 17 years old and currently a student at Binghamton, High School.  She is passionate about art, swimming, archery and helping others in her community.

Mikayla is actively involved int the LAOH Juniors, where she has held multiple officer positions up to President of the division since becoming a member in 2016.  Through this organization, she has developed strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.  She also enjoys being a member of the varsity swim team and proudly served as a co-captain for two years.  In addition, she participates in competitive archery, which has helped her build focus, discipline, and confidence.

Throughout her high school journey, she has earned recognitions a member of the National Honor Society and as a Scholar Athlete.  These accomplishments have motivated her to continue working hard and striving for academic and personal excellence.

Looking toward the future, she plans to attend college and pursue a degree in culinary arts and business administration.   Her goal is to become a small business owner, allowing her to combine her creativity, leadership skills, and passion for helping others.

 I would like to begin by thanking the AOH for this great honor. To be selected worthy of such a distinguished role in this year's parade by such a venerated organization that is such a pillar of this community is truly humbling. The briefest of overviews

of my life is essentially born and raised as a Binghamton Boy. Part of a large family who is well known to those throughout

the city but best known to those in the West and South sides. Binghamton High School Graduate in 2004 and throughout my early working days had the privilege to work for family

businesses Joseph E. Lewis Construction (JEL CON) and Butch's Painting as well as the City of Binghamton in the Parks Dept. Being hired by the City of Binghamton yet again in 2015 to join the Binghamton Police Department where I will be celebrating my 11th year on the job come this March. I am lucky to say these various opportunities have taken me to all corners of the community and allowed me to meet

so many wonderful members of it. Being asked for a bio made me reflect upon my history with this parade and how it has meant so much in so many different ways to me throughout my life. As a child my mother taking my brothers and I to the parade route to compete to see who could get the most candy. Basking in the noise, music and pageantry of it all. But most importantly the excitement of seeing my father, a veteran of the Binghamton Fire Dept, in his dress uniform as he marched in the parade. My father being accompanied by my uncle and cousins who also served our community as members of the BFD. In high school and college enjoying a bit more of the rowdy side of things. Amazed at how a group of local kids at the corner of Front St and Main St started off small and grew to a boisterous and celebrated spot for so many. Also, the tradition that grew in concert with enthusiastically watching the parade, was having a large gathering of friends, neighbors and family at my mothers to share in the festivities and make sure everyone had a hearty base layer

for the days events to come. These days I proudly don my own dress uniform as a member of BPD. Each year I now get to enjoy the electric smiles of my own family and friend's children as they see me make that acclaimed march down Main St throwing candy to all the smiling children along the way. This parade has been a cornerstone in my foundation as a person. Another of my cornerstones is my mother who taught me to revel in such traditions and has been my guiding force and most forth right supporter in all my endeavors, but in none more than all that came with becoming and being a police officer. So, I would like to dedicate this great honor to her. As I owe so much to all that I am to her. So raise a glass this year to her and all  the mothers! 

Slainte!