Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Past Presidents present for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner held at The Banks, Pittston. From left, first row: Michael Clark (1969), PJ Melvin (1980), James Mcfarland (1983), Kevin O’Brien Sr. (1989), Hon. Joseph Carmody (1992), John Gilligan (2006), Shawn Casey D.M.D. (2007), James Rooney (2008), and Billy Williams (2009). Second row: Michael Cadden (2011), Patrick Gilligan (2012), Edward Hart (2014), Lee Monteforte (2015), Paul Leonard (2016), Joseph Long (2018), Shawn Slusser (2019), Matthew Meade (2020), Michael McFarland (2021), Shawn Brogan (2022), Errol O’Brien (2024), and Sean Rooney (2025).
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick officers and award winners present for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner held at The Banks, Pittston. From left, first row: Kevin O’Brien Sr. (general chairman), Michael VanLuvneder (Hometown Hero Service Award), Joseph Long (2026 Man of the Year), Hon. James Haddock (President’s Award), Ned Bolcar (keynote speaker), Michael Lombardo, Esq. (Achievement Award), James “Red” O’Brien (toastmaster), and Shawn Brogan (grand marshal). Second row: Gary Slusser (secretary-elect), Tim Wachs (2nd VP), Norm Robinson (secretary), Kevin O’Brien, Jr. (2026 president), Jared Jordan (1st VP), and Joseph Strubeck (treasurer).
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
The Black Diamonds Pipe Band from Scranton opened the annual Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at The Banks on Tuesday.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Atty. Michael Lombardo, the recipient of the 2026 Gilmartin Award, points to his table full of supporters, including his father Mike, whom he said he looks up to and admires the most.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Joe Long Jr., the 2026 Greater Pittston Friendly Sons Man of the Year, accepts his award and addresses the audience gathered for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Former University of Notre Dame football standout, Ned Bolcar, served as the keynote speaker at the annual Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Dinner held at The Banks on St. Patrick’s Day.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
PITTSTON — The Greater Pittston Sons of St. Patrick held the 112th St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at The Venue on Tuesday, March 17.
Man of the Year is Joe Long, Jr.; Gilmartin Award winner: Atty. Michael Lombardo; PA State Rep. Jim Haddock, Billy Burke President’s Award: Capt. Michael VanLuvender, Hometown Hero Service Award.
Ned Bolcar served as keynote speaker.
—Tony Callaio
