03/06/2026
Announcing the 2026 Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal: Tom Schoen
By Camry Liddle
This year, the Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is proud to announce our 2026 Grand Marshal a man whose brown truck became as familiar as Main Street itself.
After 36½ years as a UPS driver, including more than two decades serving the Adirondack region, Tom has officially retired. Though originally from Whitesboro, where he has lived for 51 years, his heart has long belonged to Old Forge.
And now, for the very first time, he’ll actually get to attend the parade.
“First time ever to the parade because of my work schedule,” Tom shared with a laugh.
A Route Chosen by Heart
Tom began delivering in Boonville. When the Old Forge route opened, he chose it — earning it through seniority. The decision wasn’t just professional. It was personal.
“I liked the community. I love the Adirondacks as a whole,” he said. “It requires a special driver because of the geography — it’s not like a city route.”
Mountain roads. Winter storms. Long distances between stops. White Lake, Otter Lake, to Thendara. This wasn’t a simple delivery route, it was a commitment.
“The whole experience took me in and stole my heart.”
Built on Trust
Tom remembers his very first summer delivering here in 1998 with his supervisor.
“I did it for the summertime and wanted to come back ever since.”
What stood out immediately was something rare — trust.
“I had keys and codes to people’s businesses and houses.
There was a great level of trust. I would always put packages inside during the winter months.”
Over time, customers stopped being customers.
“Just seeing them every day — friendship, trust, day after day, month after month,” he explained. “For one customer, he said there’s only two people who have the code to my house — the owner of the home and me as the UPS driver. They weren’t customers, they were friends.”
A Community That Gave Back
Tom was often gone 14 to 15 hours a day, away from his wife and four sons. Yet the community embraced not just him, but his family.
“They were very good people to me and my family.”
When asked if he ever expected a delivery job to turn into such a deep connection, his answer was immediate.
“No. I’ve been all over the place and I’ve seen it all — and this is the best show around. It’s just good people.”
When he retired, the town showed up for him in ways he never imagined.
“When I retired, some of the things they did for me — my jaw hit the ground. Between me, myself, and my family.”
Local business owners like Lori Z., Judy L., Erica M., Bonnie B., and Tommy G. were just a few of the many who made his route special.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one. I had so many laughs at every place.”
The People
When asked what he’ll miss most, his answer was simple.
“The people.”
And it’s clear — the people will miss him too.
The Kind of Community Where Kids Know the UPS Driver
One story shared during his retirement perfectly captures the kind of connection Tom built here.
A local young boy had grown used to seeing Tom’s brown truck pull into the neighborhood each day. Over time, the two struck up a daily friendship — waves, quick chats, the kind of small but meaningful interactions that shape childhood memories.
One afternoon, as Tom was making his deliveries, the boy called out to him, “Hey! My mom needs some help inside!”
Concerned something might be wrong, Tom followed the little boy into the house. The boy’s mother looked surprised and asked, “What are you doing? Everything’s fine.”
The boy turned to Tom with complete sincerity and said, “Want to see my room and my toys?”
There was no emergency. Just trust. Just friendship. Just a child who saw the UPS driver not as a delivery man — but as someone safe, familiar, and important in his daily life.
That’s the kind of impact Tom had.
A Well-Deserved Honor
So, when Tom received the call that he had been chosen as Grand Marshal of the Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Parade, his first reaction?
“I thought it was a joke at first. You got the right guy? I was floored. It was a great honor. I know how much it means to the town, the community every year. I’m looking forward to being a part of it and celebrating with the town too.”
For decades, Tom showed up — through snowstorms, long winter nights, and winding mountain roads. He carried more than packages. He carried trust, reliability, and a love our community shares.
This St. Patrick’s Day, the town he served will get to celebrate him.
And for the first time, he won’t be rushing to finish his route.
He’ll be leading it.
Please join us for Old Forge's Saint Patrick's Day Parade Friday, March 13th at 5:30pm. We will take off from the road between the school and post office. Hope to see everyone there!
