The General Montgomery Day Committee has selected Paul Satkowski as the 2024 Grand Marshal. He will lead Saturday’s Parade.
Satkowski was born on May 22, 1969 to Bernie Satkowski and Barbara Kuklis in Cornwall. Paul lived briefly in Montgomery as a child & then moved to Cornwall on Hudson. He lived there through his school years and is a proud graduate of Cornwall Central High School.
After high school, Paul moved to the Albany area and worked as a pizza man. However, Paul’s dream and plan was always to own a bar. Paul eventually left the pizzeria and came back to Montgomery, as his parents Barbara and Kevin Conroy had moved back here. In his youth, Paul was an athlete and later in his 20s and 30s played on numerous local championship state, Turfler & National softball teams and won championships at many golf clubs & tournaments.
In 1990 Paul went into Copperfields to have a beer and became a regular for a couple of weeks. Paul was then hired to cook and shortly after became a bartender. During his early time at Copperfield’s he was also working at Frank Hoefner Sr. Farm. After some time, Paul left Copperfield’s for a brief stint to work at the old National Hotel and then was asked back by his current business partner Dan Purcell.
“I owe just about everything to Danny who has been like my older brother to me,” Paul says. “ He not only convinced me to work at Copperfields for him, but then allowed me to fulfill my dream of owning a Bar and Grill by buying half from him. I am so blessed that I have been able to be in business with Danny for 25 years and at Copperfield’s for 35 years. I’m grateful that we have been the hometown pub for my entire adult life and that I have been able to raise two daughters and my family in Montgomery. I am so humbled, grateful and even slightly embarrassed that I was named Grand Marshal. I feel I have just given back to the community that I love and that has given me so much.”
Paul has always been involved and has volunteered and given back to the community. He coached Tee-ball, Minor League, Senior League and All Stars at the Montgomery little league. He coached youth basketball and helped with General Montgomery Day events. Paul is also the Co-Chair of the St. Pat’s Ramble and through that fund helped develop the Student Community-Athletic Scholarship for Valley Central High School. Paul has not only helped raise significant funds for the organization but has also been a proud donor. Paul is also a member of St Mary’s Church.
Satkowski and his wife Alison are the proud parents of two daughters. Sera Satkowski lives in Rhode Island after becoming a D1 tennis player and works as a Biological Science Research Technician in the USDA ARS Shellfish Genetics Lab. His younger daughter, Taryn is a current Deans List junior and nationally accomplished lacrosse player.
He enjoys spending time with his family and his parents, Barbara Conroy, who was the Montgomery Village court clerk for 23 years, and Kevin Conroy, a proud Marine who retired from Shortline in Montgomery.
“I have had so many great people who have helped me along the way with great advice and support,” he say. “I have built some amazing friendships with fellow business owners, mayors, committee members, farmers, police, firemen and of course, my customers.”
Paul is grateful to the community and The Grand Marshal Committee for granting him this honor and privilege. He also wants to express his gratitude to his mother, Barbara Conroy, for being “the most amazing mother and for all her love and support over the years.”