Mahopac's Dick Beyrer named Grand Marshal of St. Patrick's Day parade

MAHOPAC, N.Y.— Mahopac resident Richard “Dick” Beyrer has been named grand marshal for the 48th annual Northern-Westchester Putnam St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Beyrer was inducted as grand marshal by the organization's parade committee at a dinner on Feb. 7.

Born in 1948, in Sunnyside, Queens, to George and Lillian (née Walsh) Beyrer, Dick Beyrer was raised as the third of five children with older brothers John and George and younger siblings Gerry and Anne in a two-bedroom apartment off Queens Boulevard.

Beyrer attended Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary, graduating in 1965, and then enrolled in Iona College. Upon graduating from Iona in 1969, Dick enlisted in the New York State National Guard, where he proudly served in the Fighting 69th Infantry Division, earning the rank of sergeant. He has continued his service over the years by marching with the 69th Infantry Veteran Corps, leading the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade up Fifth Avenue for more than 50 years.

In 1971, Dick became a New York state parole officer, serving most of his time in the Bureau of Special Services, a multi-agency task force that focused on high-profile parolees and capturing escaped prisoners. That same year, Dick married the love of his life, Cathleen, and from 1972 to 1977 they welcomed their four boys: Kevin, Timothy, Brendan and Danny.

In 1983, after 12 years as a parole officer, Dick changed careers, and he and Cathy moved their four young boys from eastern Long Island to Mahopac to start a State Farm Insurance agency.

Over the years, Dick has been a pillar of his community, serving as a member (former president and former Man of the Year) of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Putnam County, commissioner of Putnam County Parole, trustee for St. John the Evangelist Parish and Iona College Alumni Board member.

For 43 years, Dick has participated in the Putnam County Parade by either marching with the Friendly Sons, supporting Cathy, who has marched with the Right to Life Society, watching one of his boys when they marched, or hosting viewing parties from the “Beyrer Building” on the parade route.

He looks forward to leading the parade through the town where he has raised his family, alongside both friends and family, including his wife of 53 years, Cathy; his children, Kevin and Alex, Timmy and Jitka, Brendan and Colleen, and Danny and Krista; and his grandchildren, Gabby (18), Danny (14), Maeve (10), Mairead (9), Colin (8) and Grace (6).

Please come out and celebrate your Irish heritage and being an American at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 9 (rain or shine), in Mahopac. For more information and to register to march in the parade, please email MahopacStPatricks@aol.com.