Every year, Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy calls John O’Brien, a member of the Village of Montgomery St. Pat’s Ramble Committee, to organize Maybrook’s section in the VOM’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, boasting the village’s first responders and performers. During their call this year, O’Brien surprised Leahy with big news: the Maybrook mayor will lead the Montgomery 2026 St. Patrick’s Day parade as its grand marshal.

“This is our 13th parade, and every year, Dennis brings the Maybrook contingency to the parade. He’s very helpful and always asks us if we need any assistance,” O’Brien said on February 23. “Dennis is a big supporter of the parade who always comes through; even when it rained a couple of years ago, he and Maybrook appeared. He also helps with our fundraising.”

“I am very surprised and honored, and I’m proud about my Irish heritage,” Leahy said on February 20. “I am looking forward to this year’s parade.”

Leahy was born and raised in the Bronx, then lived in New Jersey and Wappingers Falls, before moving to the Village of Maybrook in 1989. He graduated from Roy C. Ketchum High School 1982, then attended Dutchess Community College. Outside of his municipal work, Leahy has led a 29-year career with Verizon, working as a field technician and fiber optics splicer.

When looking for a place to raise his children, Leahy moved to Maybrook to be closer to his job and extended family. Once settled into his new home, he became heavily involved in the village’s youth sports and recreation activities, including Maybrook Little League and Maybrook Boy Scout Troop 236. He also worked with Cyclones Baseball and Diamond Dogs Baseball, two travel teams.

Looking to expand his community outreach, Leahy joined the Maybrook board of trustees in 2002; he started out as a trustee between 2002 and 2006, then deputy mayor between 2006 and 2008, before becoming mayor in 2008. Over the last 17 years, Leahy has strived to improve the village through numerous projects. Some of the board’s accomplishments under his leadership include upgrading the senior center and village hall, improving parks like Veterans Memorial Park, expanding recreational programs, repaving streets, and replacing sidewalk curbs. Leahy was also a crucial member in the construction of the village’s current sewer plant, a $25-million facility built in 2015.

Overall, Leahy has been very happy with Maybrook’s progress over the years, describing the village as “a well-oiled machine.” He asserted that he still has a lot of work to do as mayor, and he looks forward to working on more projects and initiatives.

The VOM’s St. Pat’s Ramble Parade will take place on Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m. in the village. The parade will depart from Montgomery Elementary School, march down Union Street, and turn left on Clinton Street. Following the parade, the parade’s bagpipe bands will continue playing music in front of Copperfield’s Kildare Pub.

For more information, visit facebook.com/MontgomeryParade.