No one ever accused Michael Thompson of being Irish. Even growing up in Nebraska the grandson of an Irish immigrant, St. Patrick’s Day meant nothing more to him than a day off from the Catholic high school that adopted the saint as its namesake.

And though traditional Irish tunes often took the place of radio on car trips, Thompson said he clearly remembers his father’s disappointment when he requested they personalize a favorite song and sing &uot;Mikey Boy&uot; rather than &uot;Danny Boy.&uot;

&uot;I’m sure my grandmother turned over in her grave,&uot; Thompson said laughing.

But if Thompson’s grandmother took offense to the sacrilege, Natchez’s Krewe of Killarney doesn’t hold the grudge.

The group recently named Thompson their St. Patrick XI, bestowing on him the duty of leading a parade to the bluffs where he will ceremoniously drive the snakes into the Mississippi River.

Thompson, whose middle name happens to be Patrick, came to Natchez in 1991 from Los Angeles where he had worked as a commercial photographer.

But after 26 years, he and his wife, Marcia, had enough of the smog and decided to try their luck at a new business – beverage distribution.

First, they needed a vacation. Also an aeronautics enthusiast, Thompson and his wife were flying his plane to Florida when they ran upon some rough weather and were forced to land at the Adams County airport.

Determined not to let the weather ruin their fun, the two set out sightseeing on Thompson’s vintage motorcycle while the storms cleared.

After spotting a distribution warehouse and talking with the owner, the couple learned another business, Bluff City Distributors, was up for sale.

Ten years later, Thompson has done more than take up residence in Natchez; he has made it his home.

President and owner of Bluff City Distributors on Liberty Road, Thompson is also a member of Natchez Rotary, the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce and volunteers on several community projects, such as the Natchez Opera Festival.

Thompson said he is constantly impressed by the town’s charitable spirit and willingness to reach out to people in need.

&uot;I don’t know of a town that has a bigger heart than Natchez,&uot; he said.

In fact, many of the area’s charitable groups operate under the &uot;mask&uot; of social organizations, just like the Krewe of Killarney, he said.

Though they may appear to be solely a &uot;party crowd,&uot; Thompson pointed out that the Krewe works behind the scenes throughout the year to raise money for worthy causes, especially scholarship money for local students.

Thompson said the social aspect of the group serves an important purpose as an incentive to draw and retain people for the real cause of philanthropy.

Most people would not be interested in being part of a group that solely wants to take your money and put you to work, he said.

&uot;But if they said we have a party every year, and we’re going to get somebody to make a fool of themselves – I don’t know any Irishman who would turn that down,&uot; he said, laughing. &uot;The serious side is somebody needs help, we’ve got to help.&uot;

Still, Thompson said you don’t have to be Irish to be part of the good cause, or part of the fun on Saint Patrick’s Day. &uot;You’re Irish that day. The other 364 days of the year you can be Polish or Italian or anything else,&uot; he said.

As for preparation for his saintly duties, Thompson just shrugs his shoulders. &uot;Just brush off the green coat and practice my blarney,&uot; he said.