'It's quite the honor': Proud Butte Irishman to lead St. Patrick’s Day parade

Mitzi Daily said when her husband, Jim Daily, got the news he had been named Butte’s grand marshal for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day parade, he was “over the moon.”

Jim did not disagree.

“It’s quite the honor,” he said. “I’m absolutely very proud.”

Jim, a Butte native, was named grand marshal, in part, because, as one nominator wrote, “he always leads with kindness, strength and integrity.”

With strong ties to County Cork, Jim has been an active member of Butte’s Ancient Order of Hibernians for the past 20 years.

Jim said he and Mitzi (a previous grand marshal honoree) have always been proud of their Irish heritage.

“We don’t forget where our roots began — we don’t forget that,” he said.

According to a news release from the Butte America Foundation, during the nomination process, several people commented on the many contributions, past and present, made by Jim and Mitzi.

The father of six children, Daily headed a construction company in Butte. He and Mitzi also have 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Now retired, the couple, in conjunction with Action Inc., volunteer once a month to prepare healthy lunches for those in need.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, they babysit their seventh great-grandchild.

“She’s darling,” said Jim. “Of course, they all are.”

Jim said he is looking forward to leading the parade this coming Tuesday.

“Being named grand marshal has been wonderful and I am proud to be from this great community of Butte America,” he said. “Butte people take care of their own.”