Mar 19, 2021
Brynn Gillis
Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade

2020 Thomas F. Rohan Award Winner: Brynn Gillis

Brynn is a second-generation Parade Committee member who grew up watching her father work tirelessly for the Committee, year after year. She joined the Committee in 2010, knowing it was her time to start giving back to the organization that had provided her so many wonderful memories throughout her life. Being a member of the Parade Committee has allowed her to work side-by-side with her father, aunt and sister where they enjoy working together to ensure that Parade traditions live on.

This recognition is special to Brynn, for she is the fourth recipient of her family to be honored with the Thomas F. Rohan Award – over the past 32 years, her father, aunt and sister have all been recognized. During her tenure, she has been Chair of the Ambassador’s Breakfast, Golf Tournament, Social Greeters, and Award’s Reception. In addition, Brynn has served as a member of the Marketing, Tartan, and Half-Way Bar Crawl’s sub committees. Brynn was delighted to serve as Co-Chair of the Award’s Reception with her Auntie Mary on more than one occasion. Currently, she is the Co-Chair of the Music Committee and serves on the Board of Directors. Brynn loves working Road Race morning and then running the route and getting to see all the spectators enjoying the start of Holyoke’s homecoming weekend.

Born and raised in Holyoke, Brynn is the daughter of Raymond and Susan (Barnett) Feyre. She is a graduate of Holyoke High School and Clark University where she received her BA in Government.
While a student at Clark, Brynn was a four-year member of the Women’s soccer team. She has been a Juvenile Probation Officer with the Trial Court of Massachusetts for the past 14 years, serving and supporting families in Holyoke, Westfield and Southwick. Advocating for children has always been her passion and she enjoys the everyday challenges within her professional career.

Brynn is a long-time member of the Board of Directors for the Holyoke Youth Soccer League, and enjoys coaching her daughter, nieces and nephew’s teams. She continues to play soccer with local leagues and she loves every moment of being on the field.

Brynn is married to Chris Gillis, a Holyoke native and President of Gillis Insurance Agency in Holyoke. They are proud parents to two adorable children, Kendall Susan (4) and James Raymond (2).