PLAINS TWP. — The Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick President Joseph Long recently announced Chief John Gilligan will receive the 2018 Man of the Year Award when the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick gather or the 104th annual St. Patrick’s Day Banquet on Saturday, March 17 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Route 315.
Gilligan was born in Wyoming, son of Bernard J. amd Rosari Gilligan. He is a graduate of Wyoming High School and Wyoming Area High School.
He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force after graduation for four years, spending one year in DeNang, Vietnam. Upon his returnm Gilligan became a member of the Wyoming Borough Police Department, serving in that capacity for 32 years and retiring in 2004 as Chief of Police. He worked in the private sector until his appointment by Governor Edward Rendell to the post of Luzerne County Sheriff. His appointment was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate.
Gilligan is a Fourth Degree Knight of the John F. Kennedy Council #372 Knights of Columbus and a past Grand Knight of the Wyoming Area Council #8598. He is a past president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
He resides with his wife of 32 years, Karen Zofcin Gilligan, and they are the proud parents of seven children. They have 18 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Gilligan’s three sons, grandsons and great-grandson are members of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a long-standing family tradition.
Ticket prices are $80 per person and $50 for guests under the age of 21. Children’s banquet tickets are also available for $25 for guests under the age of 12.
Tickets may be purchased from any active member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick or at the Knights of Columbus on Main Street in Pittston every Thursday night until the night of the banquet. Ticket must be purchased in advanced.
