At the annual North Andover Democratic Town Committee Scholarship Breakfast Sunday, Walter Kirby was named Democrat of the Year.

Kirby was chosen for his tireless campaign efforts during the past election cycle, organizing volunteers to help Democratic candidates in what turned out to be a successful year for the party.

"He is uniquely responsible for harnessing a passion, harnessing a committment to work, embarassing us into the things that we all as citizens have a responsibility to do," Town Moderator Mark DiSalvo, who served as emcee, said of Kirby.

Kirby, who owns a pub in Fitchburg, is a lifelong Democrat and long-time activist for the party. After the 2010 midterm elections that saw many defeats in the party, Kirby became very involved in local organization. He was a passionate supporter of, and local organizer for, Elizabeth Warren during the 2012 campaign.

Announcing Kirby as the Democrat of the Year was last year's winner, Phil DeCologero.

"Every election cycle produces phenomenal volunteers, and this one was exceptional in that we didn't just get a couple new people involved, we got tables worth of people involved," DeCologero said.

Kirby took to the podium and used the opportunity as a call to action for the upcoming special U.S. Senate election scheduled for June 25.

"And the last thing I'm going to say is, if you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic.

Check out this video of Kirby's full acceptance speech.