It took two years, but the Irish-American Association of the Panther Valley finally got to honor its 2020 Shamrock Award choice, Paul McArdle Jr.

McArdle was scheduled to receive the Shamrock Award during the 73rd annual banquet of the association on March 17, 2020. The dinner program is always held on St. Patrick’s Day but was postponed the past two years because of the pandemic.

A capacity crowd filled the Hilltop Community Center in Summit Hill on Thursday for the banquet honoring the local resident.

He was praised for his community involvement, youth coaching, as an educator, family man and one who will lend anyone a helping hand.

Tom Jones, president of the Irish-American Association, presented the award. Jones said the award is given “to an individual who is a selfless, loving, dedicated member of the Panther Valley community who has a lifetime of volunteer service to this amazing community.”

McArdle said, “I like to help other people because I had people who were influences and led me down that path.”

He especially praised his parents, Paul McArdle and the late Gerrie (Wye) DeGiosio McArdle. He said sometimes his father, who owned a roofing business, would do work for people and not send them a bill “because they didn’t have much.”

His mother, McArdle said, “was just the most giving, caring person you’d ever meet.”

He said sometimes his mother would take in other children who were having rough times in their lives.

“I’ve had people who influenced me in a positive way and in this area, we have so, so many.”

He listed some of the people who have been influences to him including people who got him involved in coaching, in civic and education organizations and, in general, in being someone who wants to do good.

“I just love this town and this community,” he said, adding, “It’s the people that have always made this area so darn great.”

He said of his award, “I want people to consider this as a down payment basis. I want to keep doing things; things you think I’m worthy of for this award.”

“I just love this town and this community,” he said.

An unscripted part of the program became one of the highlights. It was a talk by his 10th-grade daughter, Riley, which was both humorous and captivating.

Riley told the audience some things “they don’t know” about his father, including how he plays volleyball with her and her brother in the backyard, even in the snow. She said he loves music and that they often sing together. He even wrote an original rap song.

He enjoys reading the newspaper “every single night,” and does the Jumble. He also watches “60 Minutes” on TV.

“He loves taking pictures and can find every single one he ever took on a moment’s notice,” Riley said.

After his daughter spoke, the award recipient said, “I didn’t know this was going to be a roast.”

McArdle is married to the former Anita Garfield. They have three children, Nick, Riley and Chase.

One other person McArdle praised was his wife, who said, “They always say behind every good man is a good woman. I say behind every good man is a great woman.”

McArdle was presented with a special award by Summit Hill Borough, with the mayor proclaiming May 17, 2022, as “Paul McArdle Jr. Day.”

Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina got to the podium and then passed the presentation honors to McArdle’s father, who had been mayor in 2020 when the program was originally scheduled to be held.

Certificates were also presented by state Rep. Doyle Heffley and state Sen. John Yudichak. The Senate award was presented by Brad Hurley on behalf of Yudichak.

The invocation and benediction were by Deacon Joseph Cannon, of the St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley.