The Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Committee has awarded $2,000 to The Heart of Wes Barr, a foundation established following the untimely death of the former Sangamon County Sheriff in 2019.
Sherry Barr (pictured right) was on hand to accept a check on behalf of the foundation that bears her late-husband’s name. Sheriff Barr passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack three years ago, shortly after his retirement.
Barr was 56 years old.
The event at Nancy’s Pizza on Monroe in Springfield Wednesday night featured celebrity servers, including current Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell and Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, and where some proceeds from dine-in an carry-out tabs also went to benefit the foundation.
Likewise, the event was an opportunity to announce the 2023 parade’s Grand Marshal and theme. The honor goes to the Ryan Family of Springfield for the March 11, 2023 event. The parade theme next year will be “A Tribute to the Irish Family.”