Giroux named 2023 Wilmington Good Guy

WILMINGTON — On Friday, May 12, 2023, Wilmington resident Pat­rick Giroux was named the 2023 Wilmington Good Guy.

Each year the Wilming­ton Good Guy Committee recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding community involvement in charitable activities and displays a willingness to help others in need.

The Good Guy Commit­tee is composed of previous Good Guy Award re­cipients who select a winner based on nominations made by other town residents that acknowledge the contributions of individual candidates.

Giroux’s passion for community involvement started at a young age. 

As a student at Wil­ming­ton High School, he was involved in the planning committee for the Wilmington Relay for Life, which supports cancer survivors and fund­raises to help improve the lives of cancer pa­tients and their families.

During his years as a student at Assumption College, Giroux was a leader for service trips, volunteer events and was Student Body President.

Today, Giroux is an ex­tremely active member of the community as a member of the Wilming­ton Rotary, Wilmington’s Economic Development Committee, the Wildcat Athletic Alumni and Friends, and is an advisor to the WHS Rotary Interact Club. 

However, he feels his work as Chairman of the Wilmington Fourth of July Celebration Com­mit­tee has been his lar­gest contribution to the community.

Now on his second term as president, Giroux has been a Fourth of July Celebration Committee member since 2016, and attributes his success to the mentors who helped and encouraged him to take the role as chairman, most notably Scott Garrant, who recently passed after a long battle with cancer.

“Scott not only taught me the ropes to execute Wilmington’s largest an­nual tradition, but taught me the importance of civic service and leading by example,” Giroux said.

As a third generation Wilmington native, Gir­oux considers himself a “townie” and was raised in a family with long standing values of giving back to the town.

His grandparents were the owners of a small real estate agency in town, and could always be coun­ted on to help a fellow resident or welcome a new family to Wilming­ton. Giroux’s parents, John and Carolyn Gir­oux, raised four boys while being active parents within the school and town.

“I remember growing up, my mom would be a weekly chaperone in school. Helping the teachers, students in need, and more.” Giroux continued. “It is here that my brothers and I learned at a young age the importance of giving back and giving your heart and soul to the benefit of others.” 

The Good Guy award ceremony took place at the Wilmington Knights of Columbus, and as tradition dictates, the re­sults are always kept “top secret” until the an­nouncement of the ceremony. 

In order to get Giroux to the award ceremony without being suspicious, he was told to get Mar­garet McKenna there, as she was to receive this year’s award. But that was just a ploy to get Gir­­oux there. 

Giroux was shocked when he realized that he was the actual award recipient, stating, “I am speechless and humbled to the highest degree that others think so highly and recognize some of my small contributions to the town I love and call home. It is a true honor to stand next to Wilmington’s finest citizens who have given their life to dedicated and passionate community service.”

At the age of 29, Gir­oux is not only the new­est “Good Guy,” but al­so the youngest awarded “Good Guy” and hopes to inspire the youth of the town to prioritize giving back to the community in which they live.

“Volunteerism isn’t just for those that are adults. There are countless ways to give back at a young age,” said Gir­oux. “The lessons you learn are invaluable, not to mention the people you meet along the way are some of the kindest and most giving individuals.”

Giroux would like to thank everyone who wrote nomination letters on his behalf and the Good Guy Committee for hosting such a special night. 

Special thanks go out to his three biggest men­tors, Jack Cushing, Chris Neville, and the late Scott Garrant, who taught him the meaning of com­passionate service and the importance of sharing talents with others.

Moving forward, this year’s awarded Good Guy, Patrick Giroux, looks forward to watching others shine and leave a lasting impact on the Town of Wilmington.

“There is no requirement or age needed to give back. A passion to help others, commitment, and a smile can go a long, long way.”