CLEARFIELD – Applause filled the courtroom after Judge Paul E. Cherry was sworn in for a third term Wednesday in Clearfield County.
The oath was administered by his brother, Dauphin County President Judge John F. Cherry.
Other family members and friends came from far and wide for this special occasion, with some attending via Zoom.
Sitting on the bench for the event were Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman, President Judge John F. Cherry, Jefferson County President Judge John H. Foradora and Judge Paul E. Cherry.
Judge John F. Cherry spoke first saying how glad he was to be in attendance for his brother “and one of my best friends.”
He acknowledged the portrait in the back of the courtroom of former Judge John A. Cherry, their father who “started it all for us.”
“Father taught us it costs you nothing to be kind.
“This is a great day for Paul. For the next 10 years on the bench, I wish him all the best.”
Joking, he added that he hoped Paul could someday be the smartest, best-looking judge. Judge Paul Cherry responded commenting that his brother had just stolen part of his speech.
Ammerman congratulated Judge Paul Cherry, mentioning that the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of retaining him, “which it should have been.”
He went on to say he appreciates their good working relationship describing this as “something irreplaceable.”
Foradora joked that it was an honor to be “between two Cherry’s” as they sat on the bench.
He explained he met their father when he was a senior in high school.
“Now his sons carry on that tradition.”
Judge Paul Cherry introduced his wife, Laurie, who has been “beside me the whole time. Words can’t express how much I love her.”
His son, Nick Cherry, who is an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County, also spoke.
He noted that a lot has changed in the last 20 years when his father was first elected judge.
“You remained the same man that you were in 2004. When you first took office, you promised to treat everyone fairly and bring respect to the bench. You’ve done just that.”
Nick stated that when Judge Paul Cherry first took office, he had big shoes to fill, following his own father’s footsteps.
“You more than filled his shoes. It is very clear you are going to continue to do that.
“Now you are standing side by side.”
He went on to say how proud he is of his father and “all you’ve accomplished” before reading from an old speech he had given previously.
“My Dad has been a hero to me since I was a kid. My judge, my hero, my Dad,” he finished.
Judge Paul Cherry spoke again, saying that when he was first sworn in 20 years ago, he mentioned that it was a life-long dream for him to be a judge.
He recalled an assignment from first grade for him to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up.
In that drawing, he was wearing a robe as a judge.
He also noted that he and Ammerman “work very well together and have a very good relationship.”
He thanked two people, other than his wife, who helped him achieve his dream: First, Richard Hughes who “took a chance on me” by becoming his campaign manager.
“He went above and beyond for me.”
And the other was his cousin, Toni Cherry, who from “day one” she “dropped everything” and worked tirelessly for him.
Toni Cherry spoke up, saying “It was an honor.”
Judge Paul Cherry thanked his four now adult children, Nick, and daughters, Gina, Carla and Melissa.
“Family comes first. I take that to heart from my wife to my youngest grandchild.”
Next he thanked his long-time assistant, Judy Shirey, who is retiring after working for him for 14 years.
He mentioned she has been training his new assistant, Ashley Rich-Rodi, who has a “good legal background,” having worked for attorneys James Naddeo and Kim Kubista.
He acknowledged the daily assistance he receives from court administration including F. Cortez “Chip” Bell, Cindy Lose-Morgan, and Shana Hollenbach, who “make sure we know when to be in court.”
Judge Paul Cherry then commented that whenever Harrisburg attorneys are in front of him, they say they know his brother, John.
So, he encourages them to go back to Dauphin County and tell John they “were before the better-looking, smarter judge. . . and they do.”
He realizes that he can never make everyone happy, but he “tried to be fair and I hope I can continue to be fair.”
Judge Paul Cherry, who lives in DuBois, graduated from DuBois Central Christian High School, Gannon University in Erie and the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle.
Before he was elected judge 20 years ago, he was the county’s district attorney for over nine years and a public defender for more than six years.