The Panther Valley Irish-American Association has selected a Nesquehoning man to receive its annual Shamrock Award during the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Banquet to be held on March 17.

John McArdle, a longtime firefighter and ambulance volunteer in his hometown, will receive the award from PVIAA President Eric J. Filer during the 72nd Annual Banquet to be held at the Hilltop Community Center, Summit Hill.

“Every year, our association selects an Irishman of the Year to recognize that individual’s contributions to the community. Among all of the deserving individuals the association members discussed, Mr. McArdle was clearly the standout candidate,” said Filer.

“His (McArdle’s) work as the Nesquehoning fire chief and as an ambulance volunteer provides an invaluable service to his hometown, which is only furthered by his position on the planning commission. Mr. McArdle embodies the very idea of community service and will make a fine addition to the list of Shamrock Award recipients.”

For McArdle, the honor is something he never envisioned. He said, “I was very surprised and taken back a bit. I am truly humbled, but certainly honored. I thought about the many great people honored by the award that were in my life growing up, and it’s a great feeling to know that I am able to join them.”

A lifelong resident of Nesquehoning, McArdle, 58, of Coal Street, is the oldest of three sons born to Kathryn (Bechtel) McArdle of Nesquehoning and the late William J. McArdle. He has been married for 35 years to Del Rey (Zwolenik) McArdle.

The couple has two sons, Brenden (Gina), an emergency room nurse at the St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus, and the assistant fire chief in East Penn Township, and Shawn (Jillian), a contract specialist for KME and the second assistant fire chief in Nesquehoning. The McArdles have four grandchildren, Delaney, Stella, Emerick and Cooper.

John’s siblings Kevin and Dennis both serve as volunteer firefighters, Kevin being a volunteer with the Earleigh Heights Fire Department in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and Dennis serving as the fire marshal of the Good Will Fire Co., Trexlertown.

John is a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, and a former member of St Francis of Assisi Church, Nesquehoning, where for years he served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

He began his volunteer career as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in Nesquehoning; was an altar server in his church, and during high school, he was a member of the Youth Corps at Marian Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1978.

McArdle is probably best known as the fire chief in the Borough of Nesquehoning, currently serving in his 28th year in the position. Additionally, he has been a volunteer firefighter for 41 years.

“I receive great satisfaction in helping people,” McArdle said. “When a tragedy affects someone, the fire department or EMS is seeing someone at the worst possible moment. Being there to make a difference is what truly matters.”

McArdle has been involved in all aspects of emergency services, serving as an EMT, firefighter, fire chief, deputy state police fire marshal, and Carbon County EMA chief deputy.

He is also the Borough of Nesquehoning’s Local Emergency Management Coordinator since 1983; is a past president of the Carbon County Telecommunications Board, having been instrumental in consolidating two county communications centers into one unit, leading the way to a countywide 911 system; and he previously served as the secretary of the Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1, where he is a life member.

An EMT for 41 years, McArdle serves as president of the Nesquehoning Ambulance Corps and Carbon County Firemen’s Association; treasurer for the Nesquehoning Firemen’s Relief; chairman of the Carbon County Fire Chief’s Association; and a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Arson Investigators.

He has been very instrumental in procuring grants to enhance Nesquehoning Borough’s fire equipment, resulting in a 103-foot ladder truck and a new urban interface fire engine for the borough.

Currently, he serves as vice president of the Nesquehoning Planning and Civil Service commissions.

He also serves on the committee to construct a new county emergency services training facility. This project is in its eighth year of planning and development and has garnered the support of the Carbon County Commissioners. John’s continued hard work and passion to see this project become a reality will not only benefit all local emergency responders, but will also serve as a facility to enhance safety to local industries that choose to utilize its amenities.

In 2015, McArdle was selected as a Community Hero by the Mauch Chunk Trust Co.

The honoree is a 40-year employee of Pencor Services, Palmerton, where he is a department supervisor.

For McArdle, the honor is somewhat along the family line, as his great-uncle, the late Joe “Buck” O’Donnell, is a past award recipient and PVIAA member.

“I feel strongly about the importance of giving back to the community, especially in a way that helps someone in times of great need,” McArdle said.

The program will get underway on March 17 with a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and the program. Tickets ($30 each) are available from association members Bob Crampsie, 570-657-1876; Billy O’Gurek Jr., 570-527-6693, Emmett McCall, 570-645-2093; and Paul McArdle Jr., 570-956-8705.