HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Longtime Holyoke City Council President, Joe McGiverin, was honored Saturday afternoon in front of the YMCA on Beech Street. McGiverin served on the Holyoke City Council for 44 years and retired last year. He even served as chair of the finance committee and as interim mayor of Holyoke for a short period of time. The City of Holyoke honored him with a sign that reads "Joe McGiverin Way" in front of the Holyoke YMCA on Beech Street. McGiverin grew up just a block away, and his children spent a lot of time at the YMCA during their childhood. He told 22News, "This is special to me. I was taken back and very humbled when they said they wanted to honor my career, and when I say career I don't think any city councilor or elected official is there by themselves, it's the people that voted for them." "Joe is a living legend and deserves all of the accolades he is getting today. He is a mentor to myself and all the up an coming city councilors. He is really the good of politics", says Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Holyoke City Council President. The former Holyoke City Council president says it's the greatest opportunity in the world to give back to the community and be the voice of the people that want to do the same thing, but may not have the time or interest to be an elected official. Local News Headlines Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts revitalizes chapter to unite minority groups 33rd annual Taste of Italy celebrates Italian Heritage Month City of Holyoke honors longtime Holyoke City Council president with sign on Beech St. Amherst Fire Department hosts open house to commemorate Fire Prevention Week WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.