Mick Corduff celebrates with his family after being named the 74th grand marshal in the history of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Photo credit: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Holyoke
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day parade may be months away, but that did not stop the committee from choosing Michael “Mick” Corduff as grand marshal for the staple event’s 74th year.
Grand marshal is the highest local honor bestowed by the St. Patrick’s Committee, recognizing an individual whose life reflects devotion to family, career, community and Irish heritage. Corduff was named the parade’s marshal on Aug. 11 at Elks Lodge 902.
For Corduff, the honor represents more than three decades of connection to the Holyoke community and the parade itself. Corduff is a celebrated chef, business owner and Irish immigrant.
A native of County Kerry, Ireland, Corduff grew up in West Kerry, where he developed an early passion for hospitality while working in local hotels and restaurants. After graduating from Christian Brothers School of Dingle in 1989, he immigrated to the United States and began his career with Marriott Corporation through its Management Training Program.
He later served as banquet chef at the Springfield Marriott for seven and a half years and completed the Total Quality Management Program at the Culinary Institute of America.
In 1997, Corduff joined Peter Rosskothen and Lawrence Perreault at The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House as executive chef. He became a partner in The Log Cabin in 2002 and joined the partnership at The Delaney House the following year. In 2008, he was named vice president of both organizations. The D. Hotel Suites and Spa was later added to the hospitality group, and in 2023, Corduff became a majority shareholder alongside Frank DeMarinis.
Corduff and DeMarinis recently expanded their hospitality portfolio by reopening Schermerhorn’s Seafood Restaurant & Market.
Throughout his career, Corduff has earned recognition for his culinary and business leadership, including being named “Chef of the Year” by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association in 2001 and a BusinessWest “40 Under 40” honoree in 2008.
His connection to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade goes back decades. In 2003, the St. Patrick’s Committee honored Corduff, Rosskothen and Perreault with its Citizenship Award, recognizing their contributions to the parade and the greater Holyoke community.
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade President Stephanie Joyce talked about Corduff and the decision to name him grand marshal.
“Mick has been part of the fabric of this community and the Parade for decades,” Joyce said. “From the Citizenship Award he received with Peter and Larry in 2003 to the honor of serving as grand marshal today, Mick has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to bringing people together, supporting his community and celebrating his Irish heritage. We are proud to recognize him and look forward to seeing Mick and his family lead our 74th Parade.”
Corduff said in a release that the honor carries special meaning because of the role the Holyoke community and the parade have played throughout his life in Western Massachusetts.
“It’s hard to put into words what this honor means to me,” Corduff said. “From the moment I first came to Holyoke, this community welcomed me like family. The parade has always been a joyful celebration of our heritage and our bonds as neighbors. To be asked to serve as Grand Marshal—to walk at the front of this tradition I hold so dear — is humbling beyond measure. I accept it with pride, gratitude and excitement for the celebration to come.”
Corduff will be honored at the Grand Marshal’s Reception on Friday, Jan. 15, at The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road. Additional details and ticket information can be found at holyokestpatricksparade.com.
For more information about the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and Parade Week events, readers can visit the website or follow the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on social media.
