Several years ago, the City of Savannah instituted a sort of “land rush” in a running of the squares for families and visitors to jockey for prime space to set up along the parade route. At 6 a.m. on the morning of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, city and security staff will “officially” open the squares to parade-goers.
Participants stand at the ready, chairs, coolers, and rolled-up tents in hand. They eye their traditional spots, hoping to get the best view of the parade for everyone in their group. They size up the competition, ready to mark their spot where they will celebrate with family and friends.
As the sun rises with the morning dew still covering everything, a loud whistle cracks the silence of the air, echoing throughout the squares as people take off to stake their spot.
Christine Souza and her family have been participating in this Savannah ritual for years.
“My sister-in-law, Dottie Dauphinee, has lived here her whole life and has spent over 60 years coming to the parade,” Souza said. “My brother moved here about 40 years ago and then he started getting our whole family to come to Savannah for the parade. It was always such a big deal, but we’ve loved doing it.
Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, Christine has lived in Savannah for over 20 years and has regularly participated in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with her sister-in-law and brother setting up on the corner of Price and Broughton Streets.
“I was born in the states,” Christine said. “But, my brothers and sisters were all born in Nova Scotia. Our great-great-grandparents—on our mother’s side of the family—came to Nova Scotia from Dingell, Ireland. So, Irish is in our blood.”
Speaking of her brother, you can hear the love and respect in Souza’s voice.
“We’re looking forward to coming together again as a family for the parade. We wait for that whistle to blow and then we get to setting up,” she said. “This year is very special for us because my brother, David Dauphinee, passed away in August 2021 after an 11 year battle with kidney cancer.”
She said her brother made it to every parade. “He never missed it,” Souza said. “We didn’t have a parade the last two years, so this is a perfect time now to pay tribute to him, honor him, and remember all of the wonderful times we had together.”
David Ian Dauphinee, Sr, 61, of Savannah, Georgia, served in the US Army with the 1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. He retired from the Savannah Police Department where he was a part of the TRAP Unit and a member of the SWAT Team (ERT).
“David served his country and his community, but most of all he served his wife, his family, and his God. He enjoyed many things in life including all Boston sports teams, mentoring the youth, and sharing his testimony,” a friend said of him.
It was that affableness that drew people to him, Souza said of her brother. “David would always make sure we had our place, got our breakfast, and just enjoy cheering people on in the parade and having fun. So much that one year, he met a group of policemen from Massachusetts called The Boys from Boston. They’ve been coming to the parade for about 38 years. We all meet up and hang out. This year, they’ll join us in celebrating David’s life and what he meant to all of us.”
Christine remembers him and their time together fondly. “My brother was the all-American badass. He was 16 years older than me, so we didn’t have a close relationship growing up. But, we got close living here at the same time and especially helping him through his cancer. We had a beautiful relationship and I appreciate our time together,” she said.
“After setting up, David would go park his truck and then we’d walk down to the Holiday Inn Express on Bay Street where The Boys from Boston always stay. Each year, the group gets bigger and bigger. We get t-shirts made and it’s just…wow…just family at its best. My nephews and nieces come down from Boston– someone from Boston comes every year. Family vacations center around this.”
Souza said it’s the festive party atmosphere that draws people here to Savannah for the St. Patrick’s Day activities. “But, it’s the family aspect of it all. Not just the families that gather together, but the overall attitude of how you just never meet a stranger here.”
She stressed, “There’s so much to do in Savannah. The weather is great, everyone is so friendly in a true manner. It’s amazing how you walk down the parade route, people are busy setting up, but they’ll share coffee, invite you to their table for a Danish or a morning Jell-O shot,” she said, laughing. “It’s just wonderful. All of Dottie’s girlfriends come and they all make casseroles and we have pork loins and barbecue…it’s a feast. As I said, it’s our first year without David, so we’re going to do it big in his honor.”
The pride returns to Souza’s voice. “David was a hell of a fighter. It’s almost a relief now because he’s not suffering anymore. He’s happy and healthy. He’s with his son, who sadly preceded him in death. My brother went through so much and was a hero.”
“Every little girl thinks her big brother is awesome,” she said. “However, hearing the stories about him at his funeral that other people shared about him just proved that he WAS that awesome.”
So, the Souza/Dauphinee family are happy to celebrate the memory of their wonderful brother while being together again for the first time in a while, like so many other families in the city.
“This is going to be the best St. Patrick’s Day,” Christine said. “I know this is going to be great for Dottie, as well. We want it to be a special day for her. This family is going to have one amazing celebration.”
And if you’re at the corner of Price and Broughton, be sure to stop in and say hello.
