By: Dennis Hohenberger

Article Credit: MassLive

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Rotary Club named City Councilor Joseph M. McGiverin the 2019 William G. Dwight Distinguished Award recipient.

The club will present the award to McGiverin during a Nov. 21 reception at the Delaney House.

McGiverin is one of the region’s longest-serving elected officials, joining the Holyoke City Council in 1980, where he continues to serve.

“As a dedicated Holyoker, he can be seen out and about town at just about every event with family and friends,” the release stated.

Before Tuesday’s Ordinance Committee meeting, McGiverin said he was surprised by the announcement.

“I recognize the Dwight Award as an important award to people who care about this city,” he said. “It means something to many Holyokers. I’m honored and quite overwhelmed.”

The award was first presented in 1940 by the former Holyoke Transcript-Telegram, with the late Joseph B. Weis as the recipient. The award honors a public or community leader who embodies the Dwight Family’s ideals.

McGiverin served as the council’s president from 1986 – 2011 when he relinquished his role to Councilor Kevin Jourdain. He continues to serve on the Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation.

McGiverin remains deeply committed to the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, the Holyoke YMCA’s youth basketball program, the Knights of Columbus Council #90, and the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, who named him the 2011 Grand Marshal, the committee’s highest honor.

Born and raised in Holyoke, McGiverin attended Holyoke Catholic High School (Class of 1973) and Holyoke Community College (Class of 1975). He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science at Westfield State College.

He began his lengthy career in the state’s court system with the Holyoke Juvenile Court in 1997. McGiverin assisted 880 first-time offenders in completing a diversion program, according to the statement.

Since 2001, McGiverin has worked as a probation officer with the Holyoke District Court.