The former business manager and administrator of a Coaldale hospital will receive the annual Shamrock Award from the Panther Valley Irish American Association on St. Patrick's Day.

Joseph D. Conahan of 213 Seventh St., Coaldale, will receive the award from President Raphael O'Gorman during the 49th annual banquet at AMVETS Post 83. The dinner and program will be preceded by a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m.

Conahan, 59, started at Coaldale State General Hospital in February 1957. He was an accountant and business manager before serving as acting administrator in 1981 and 1982.

When the state divested itself of the hospital in February 1982, Conahan remained on staff of the renamed Miners Memorial Medical Center as materials manager before retiring Nov. 1, 1995.

He is married to the former Patricia Doyle of Hazleton. They have three children: Karen, wife of David Maruschak of Lansford; Colleen, at home; and the late Kevin who died Nov. 17, 1983. They also have two grandchildren.

Conahan graduated in 1954 from the former Coaldale High School, attended Pennsylvania State University for one year, and graduated from the former Ford School of Business, Pottsville, with an accounting degree.

A past president of the Irish-American Association, Conahan has been a member of several civic and veterans' organizations in the Panther Valley-Tamaqua region.

Joe Conahan (center) is shown receiving the coveted Shamrock award at the 49th annual banquet of the Irish-American Association of the Panther Valley.