Gayle Shalvoy is an active member of the community, not only with “all things Irish” but with her church, sports, politics, work, and family. She has been married to Chris Shalvoy (2009 Citizen of the Year) for 31 years. Their son, Raymond, attends Westminster College and is the captain of the Westminster Titans Lacrosse team. Gayle has worked at Rochester Software Associates for 18 years and is the manager of the Customer Service Technical Support team. She lives in East Rochester and attends St. Jerome’s Church. As an active member of the parish, she has been a teacher in the RCIA program for the past 8 years, a past member of Parish Council and a Eucharistic Minister.
Gayle is a long-time member and the current President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, whose charter is over 100 years old. She is proud member of the Rochester Police Emerald Society which supports local law enforcement and their families. Gayle has been a strong supporter of the TOPS Rochester St Patrick’s Day Parade and helps organize the yearly “Irish Night with the Amerks” Hockey Game. For many years, she coordinated the Children’s Area at the Rochester Irish Festival.
As a member of the Col. Patrick O’Rorke Society (which was a major influence in the naming of the O’Rorke Bridge), she and the society most recently held a centennial celebration and remembrance of the 1916 Easter Rising which many consider to be the anniversary of Ireland’s freedom. The event was sponsored by the Irish Consulate and was attended by Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv, the great grandson of the first President of Ireland and who is a currently serving as a member of Parliament.
Outside of her participation in the Rochester “Irish Community”, Gayle is the secretary of the East Rochester Republican Committee, and a member and past officer of the Rochester DX Association and holds her amateur radio licensed as N2TWI. She was previously involved in the auto racing community where she was a member of Sports Car Club of America and held offices in the Corvair Owners Club of Rochester.
When her son was young, she was involved with scouting as a den leader and “Team Mom” for both football and lacrosse. Gayle played lacrosse on the “Fann Cup” team (the Rochester Krewhawks) who play in yearly tournaments for charity.
It is our honor to recognize Gayle Shalvoy as the Citizen of the Year for the 2017 TOPS St. Patrick’s Day Parade.