(L to R) Somerville Kiwanis President Frank Wright, BA Event Promotions Paul Collyer, Det Mario Oliveira and Alderman Jack Connolly. - Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Dozens of the Somerville business community members joined President Frank Wright and the Somerville Kiwanis Club as they hosted their Somerville Kiwanis Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon at the Somerville Holiday Inn Thursday.

The banquet room was filled with St. Patrick’s Day decor, Irish music, Irish jokes and the fine aroma of corned beef and cabbage as it was being served to the singing crowd.

Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Gabriel O’Malley was the guest speaker at the well attended event. O’Malley recently wrote and spoke about an article published in the December 19, 2010 Boston Globe titled Romantic Ireland: Is it Dead and Gone or On Its Way Back?

The Kiwanis took this opportunity to honor Somerville Police Detective Mario Oliveira and present him a $10,000 check that was donated by Paul Collyer of BA Event Promotions.

In his presentation, Collyer told the crowd “Detective Oliveira was shot five times in the line of duty in November of 2010. Today he is here for us so we can all personally thank him for his bravery, dedication and numerous contributions to the City of Somerville. Mario is a ten-year veteran of the Somerville Police Department with numerous awards including Officer of the Year in 2005.

Detective Oliveira’s wife Christy, his parents Margaret and Humberto Oliveira, his brother John, Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello, Deputy Chief Michael Cabral and Alderman-at-Large and Kiwanian Jack Connolly were all  in attendance.

Mario announced to the crowd that he will return back to work on Monday.