St. Patrick’s Day has once again arrived along with its month long festivities; to help celebrate the occasion, InsiderNJ.com presents a profiled list of New Jersey’s Irish American leaders and activists as a salute to the holiday and as a harbinger of long awaited springtime.   

 

The annual tribute to the ‘Irish High Holy Days’ is an acknowledgement of accomplishments, numerous contributions and community service.

As in years past, the list includes both veterans of previous compilations and quite a few newcomers, as well. Collectively, they have all demonstrated a commitment to their Irish American heritage.  

The updated list is compiled to commemorate the 83rd Anniversary of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest Irish American march in New Jersey (1936-present), interrupted only by WWII (1943-46).   

This year’s Irish march in downtown Newark is scheduled for Friday, March 16 at 1:00pm. Grand Marshal Joseph M. Taylor and Deputy Grand Marshal Josie Logue Tully have been elected by delegates to lead the parade.

The 2018 Parade is dedicated to  Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura.  

Tom Barrett, compiler of the list, credits the Newark parade for its sense of tradition and staying power. His father, Thomas P. J. Barrett, a journalist and World War II veteran, was a three-time parade chairman.  

The list is purely subjective.  

We hope you enjoy it. 

*** 

Joseph P. Brennan, Esq. Three-term Essex County Surrogate (retired). Twice elected West Orange Council president. Decorated Vietnam War veteran. Former Grand Marshal/West Orange Irish Parade. His son, Thomas Brennan, Esq. served as WO Parade General Chairman.  

Laurel Brennan. Highly regarded South Jersey Labor leader. Secretary-Treasurer NJ State AFL-CIO. Recipient of 2014 Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award.

Brian Boru, Inc. Honorees. (75th Anniversary): Peter Murphy/ Irishman of the Year; Mary Anne McAleavy/ Irishwoman of the Year; Community Service Award Honorees: Capt. Joseph P. O’Connor and PO Robert F. O’Connor; Msgr. Hugh A. O’Donnell/ Irish Religious of the Year.   

Declan Burke. Assessment Director/ ETS, Princeton. “Man of the West” from Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland. Graduate/ Ireland’s National University, Masters Degree/ Seton Hall, MBA candidate/Rutgers.

Meghan Barrett Burke, Esq. In-house Counsel, Colas Inc. Global Infrastructure Construction Co./Former Partner/Connell Foley. Honors grad. Providence College/University of Galway, Ireland. JD/SHU Law School.   

Bobby Byrne. Acclaimed Irish-American musician and Grand Marshal of Belmar’s 43rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Decorated Vietnam Veteran.  

Eugene J. Byrne, Esq. Trustee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges. Former Grand Marshal of Newark Irish Parade. Gene has marched in the NYC Irish parade faithfully for 60 years.  

Michael D. Byrne. General Chairman of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Youngest sub-committee chairman in Parade history.    

Tom Byrne, Jr. Founder/Byrne Asset Management LLC. Former Chairman/NJ State Democratic Committee.  Chairman/ New Jersey State Investment Council. Son of the late Gov. Brendan T. Byrne.   

Col. Patrick Callahan. Acting Superintendent/NJ State Police. Recently re-nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy as full-time head of force. 2017 Chief Honoree/Irish Echo/ Law & Order Awards.

Brian Campbell. Finance Executive, Writer/Essayist. Silver Pen Award winner/ Star Ledger. Grandson of George Bell/ 1961 Grand Marshal of Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Thomas J. Cannan. Philadelphia Police Officer. Marine Corp Veteran. 2018 Young Irishman honoree/ Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges. His father, Tom Cannan, is a Friendly Sons Trustee and USGA official.  

Dennis F. Carey, III. Essex County Superior Court Judge. Grandson of the legendary Dennis “I run Essex” Carey (1953-1969) who engineered a 50,000 countywide vote plurality for JFK in 1960.   

Michael Patrick Carroll. GOP Assemblyman (R-25), member/ Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Son of the late Maurice (Mickey) Carroll, former NY Herald Tribune reporter and director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute.

Robert “Bobby” Carroll. Son of the late and famed labor leader ‘Big’ Jim Carroll of Heavy Construction Laborer’s Local 472 in Newark. Currently successful attorney in private practice.   

Chip Cavanaugh. Chairman/Belmar & Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Chip’s mom, Jackie, was 2013 Deputy Grand Marshal.  

Dennis M. Cavanaugh. Former U.S. District Court Judge/ District of NJ whose mother was born in County Clare, Ireland. Related to the late Frank McGovern, the famous proprietor of McGovern’s Tavern in Newark.

James A. Cavanaugh. Former Essex County Freeholder, now successful Morristown restaurateur. Former Grand Marshal of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D. President and CEO/ Clara Maass Medical Center. Only person who holds a BSN, MSN and a Ph.D in Nursing from Seton Hall University. 2013 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year. 

Eugene and Raymond Codey.  Twin brothers, Gene a retired Superior Court Judge in private practice with Connell/Foley, LLP and Raymond, Business Manager for Madison Township.   

Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. Accomplished attorney and Sister of Charity. President/Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey.  

Richard J. Codey. Served with distinction and bi-partisan praise as New Jersey’s 53rd Governor and President of the NJ Senate. Strong advocate for mental health reforms. One of the most influential legislative leaders in New Jersey history.

Jere’ Cole. Essex County Sheriff’s officer (retired). Currently National Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  

Pat Colligan. President/New Jersey State PBA. Grand Marshal of this year’s 40th Annual Nutley Irish Parade. Served alongside Deputy Grand Marshal Tammi Tribbl, Parade “Member of the Year” Ellen Bennett of Cedar Grove and ‘Police Officer of the Year’ Joe O’Halloran.  

Jack Collins. Princeton Public Affairs.  Former Speaker of New Jersey General Assembly. College Professor. Basketball Coach. Lawyer. Farmer.  

Kevin P. Conlin. Chairman, President/CEO/Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. More than 35 years of executive management experience in health care, with a concentration in hospital systems.  

Mary Higgins Clark. Renowned Irish storyteller, award-winning novelist, authored more than 42 books. Resident of Bergen County and Grand Marshal of the 2011 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Hugh W. Connelly. Grand Marshal/ Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which he helped found 14 years ago). President/Business Banking/Univest Bank & Trust Company.  

Maryann Connelly. Popular principal of Bayonne’s Dr. Walter F. Robinson Community School which is named for local historian and author of “The History of Modern Bayonne.” 

Patricia K. Costello. Essex County Assignment Judge (retired). Stellar judicial career that spanned 25 years including 10 years as top judge in NJ’s busiest courthouse. 2016 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.

Craig J. Coughlin. Newly elected Speaker of the NJ General Assembly  (D-19) of Woodbridge. Lawyer in private practice.  

Mary Pat Foster Christie.  Former NJ First Lady. University of Delaware grad. Seton Hall University MBA. Ninth/10 children born to a Pennsylvania Irish Catholic family. 2011 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.

Joseph Cryan. NJ State Senator (D-20). Former Union County Sheriff.  Son of the late and legendary John F. Cryan. Former State Assemblyman and Chairman of the NJ Democratic State Committee.

Jennifer Critchley, Esq. Partner, Connell Foley, LLP. Named to NJ Super Lawyer-Biz Litigation/NJ Top 100 and New Jersey Top 50 Women Lawyers.  

Michael Critchley, Esq. Highly regarded Defense Attorney, involved with numerous Irish American and charitable organizations. Known for his brilliance in court. 2016 Essex County Irishman of the Year.   

Kevin Cummings. Pres./CEO/Investors Bank, 3rd largest bank hdqtr. in NJ. 2012 Grand Marshal/Newark’s Irish Parade. 2017 honoree/St. Patrick’s Guard of Honor. 2018 Jersey City Irish Parade Grand Marshal.

Sean Darcy. Well-known Democratic Party strategist, principal with Round World Consulting and former press secretary to Governor Richard Codey.   

Erica Daughtrey. Popular and well-known Hudson County community activist. Currently serves as Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Albio Sires (D-8). 2016 DNC National Convention delegate.  

Frank Dauksis. Second-generation owner of Michael’s Roscommon House in Belleville. 2017 Grand Marshal of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

Ellen M. Davenport. Former Maplewood Mayor/Essex County Freeholder who served as Secretary of the NJ State Senate. 2009 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.  

Jimmy Davis. Mayor of Bayonne. Retired police officer. Currently involved in numerous community fund raising activities including raising money for slain police officers and autism. Candidate for re-election 2018.

John J. Degnan. Former Chairman/ Port Authority of NY/NJ and NJ Attorney General. Vice-Chair/Chief Operating Officer of the Chubb Corporation. Harvard Law School graduate.  

Tom Deignan. Author/ “Irish Americans: Coming to America”. Contributing writer/ “Irish American Chronicle”. Writes weekly Sidewalks column: Irish Voice newspaper. Regular contributor for the Star Ledger.  

George Delaney. 2018 Grand Marshal and Chairman/ Bayonne’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hails from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland.

Ellen Marie Kelly Dickson. Former Mayor of Summit. Served two terms on City Council, including Council President.  

Pat Diegnan. Assemblyman (D-18). South Plainfield. Graduate/Seton Law School, credited with spearheading legislation known as the most comprehensive laws on concussions in the country.

Matt Doherty. Mayor of Belmar. Member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh; Ancient Order of Hibernians; trustee for the Belmar Art Council. 2012 Irishman of the Year/Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh.  

Michael J. Doherty. GOP Member of NJ State Senate from Warren County. Graduate/West Point and Seton Hall Law School. Captain in the Army Reserves from 1985-93.

Robert H. Doherty. State President/ NJ/Bank of America. Chairman/NJ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Board member: Community Food Bank of NJ, Newark Museum, NJ Performing Arts Center.   

Ed Donnelly, President of the New Jersey State FMBA representing 5000 firefighters statewide. Eighteen-year veteran/Union Fire Department.  

Joe Donohue. Former (and legendary) Star-Ledger reporter. Now Deputy Director of the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission.  

Michael J. “Mike” Donohue. New Jersey Superior Court Judge. Former firefighter, teacher, practicing attorney, church volunteer and Chairman of the Cape May County Republican Committee.  

Fr. Pat Donohue. 27-year Newark “Chaplain to the Irish.” Former Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Vailsburg section of Newark. 2015 Deputy Grand Marshal for the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Kathe’ Donovan. Former Bergen County Executive, Clerk and former Chairlady of the New Jersey Republican State Committee. Served on the Port Authority of NY/NJ.  

Tom Donovan. President/Asbury Park Press (APP) since 2007. Grand Marshal / 2018 Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Robin L. Dougherty.  Executive Director/ Greater Newark Conservancy. 2018 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.  

Tim Dougherty. Popular three-term Mayor of Morristown. Serves as Chief Engineer at the Prudential Center in Newark.  

Joann Downey. State Assemblywoman (D-11/Monmouth). Serves on  Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. Trial Attorney. MA/Social Work/Boston University. JD/ New York Law School.

Meghan Doyle Zimmerman. Accomplished attorney with Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.  Daughter of the late Norman A. Doyle, Jr. (decorated Vietnam war veteran/active with United Irish of West Hudson) and Kearny 3rd Ward Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle.   

Patrick C. Dunican, Jr. Chairman and Managing Director of the Gibbons Law Firm in Newark. Major supporter and 2013 Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Chris Durkin. Essex County Clerk. 2018 Honoree (AOH) Division #9’s 118th Anniversary Dinner. 2017 Essex County Irishman of the Year.  2010 Grand Marshal/Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.   

Sister Mary Walter Dwyer. Sister of Charity and sister of late State Senator Tom Cowan of Hudson County. Principal of Columba School in Newark for 27 years. Now on staff at St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark.   

Joseph V. Egan. Assemblyman (D-17). New Brunswick City Council President for ten years and serves as Business Manager for the IBEW Local 456.

  

Tim Eustace. Bergen County Assemblyman (D-38). Elected in 2011. Deputy Conference Leader. Vice-Chair/Health & Senior Services Committee. Strong advocate for environmental causes.   

John J. Farmer Jr. Former NJ Attorney General, columnist and Dean of Rutgers Law School. Son of former Star-Ledger Editorial Page editor and columnist John Farmer, Traces Irish roots to Counties Armagh, Kerry and Mayo. 2016 Newark Parade Grand Marshal.  

Susan A. Feeney. Partner/ McCarter & English Law Firm/ Former NJ State Bar Assoc. Pres. and 2011 Newark Irish Parade Deputy Grand Marshal.  

Glen Gabert.  Hudson County Community College President. Grand Marshal/Jersey City’s 55th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Cornelius (Neil) Gallagher. Hudson County Congressman (1959-73). Captain in U.S. Army, commanded a World War II infantry rifle company in General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army. Celebrating his 97th birthday.

Jim Gannon. Well-regarded Morris County Sheriff, Descendant of NYPD detective. Drum Major/ Police Pipes & Drums. FBI Academy graduate.  

Robert Garrison. President Ceiba Consulting LLC. Government relations, strategic lobbying, political consulting and grassroots advocacy.  Former Director/Planning/Economic Development/Bergen County.  

Susan Hapworth Gartland. Former Caldwell Mayor/Councilwoman and Deputy Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Chair/Board of Trustees of Mount St. Dominic Academy.

Edward M. (Ted) Giblin. Verona Councilman. Honors graduate Providence College. MBA Seton Hall University. Member/ Board of Governors/Giblin Association, civic and charitable organization founded 1954.  

Noreen M. Giblin. Chief Counsel, NJ Board of Public Utilities. Former State Director/U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Served in the McGreevey Administration. 2006 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.

Patrick F. Giblin. Cranford Township Commissioner. Graduate/ Villanova and Fordham University (MBA). UBS Vice-President-Wealth Management.  Former Chairman/Treasurer/ New Jersey Irish Festival. 2018 Honoree AOH Division #9’s 118th Anniversary Dinner.  

Thomas P. Giblin. Assemblyman (D-34). Business Mgr. Union Local 68, IUOE. Former Essex County Freeholder Board President/Essex County Surrogate, Essex County and NJ State Democratic Chairman. He and his dad only father and son to serve as both Chairman and Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Monsignor John J. Gilchrist. 61-year parish priest and Spiritual Director to Essex-West Hudson Labor Council and State AFL-CIO. Columnist for the Catholic Advocate.   

Brendan Gill. President /Essex County Freeholder Board. 2018 Essex County Irishman of the Year. 2017 Man of the Year Division # 9 AOH Montclair. 2014 Grand Marshal/ Nutley Irish Parade. Heads up the BGill Public Affairs Group. Architect of Murphy for Governor Campaign.  

Eileen P. Gilleece. NJ State Police Detective. Fellow with both JFK School of Government and United Nations Leadership School. Past President of Women of Irish Heritage (North). 2013 Newark Deputy Grand Marshal.  

Don Gilmartin. Traces roots to County Roscommon. 2008 Newark Parade Grand Marshal. Founding member/ Past President of Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society.  

Terry Golway. Professor/Kean University. Historian, journalist, author  of several works on American and Irish history. Curator/ John T. Kean Center for American History. Former Editorial Bd. Member NYT’s.  

William L. Gormley. Former State Senator and Judiciary Committee Chairman. Assemblyman (1977-1982). His father was former Atlantic County Sheriff. Notre Dame grad, Marine Corp captain.  

John F. X. Graham. Founder of Verona based Fairview Insurance. Successful insurance executive along with sons Michael and Ryan. Sought after statewide fundraiser and political strategist. Member/Democratic National Committee/Friend of U.S. Presidents and Secretaries of State.   

Fran Griffin. Health Care Consultant. Chairwoman of the 48th Annual NJ Irish Festival scheduled for June 10 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ.   

Kimberly Ann (McFadden) Guadagno. NJ’s first Lieutenant Governor. Served as Secretary of State and Ass’t United States Attorney. Elected 75th Sheriff/Monmouth County 2007. 2017 GOP candidate for Governor.

Eileen McGinley-Hannaford. Woman of the Year for 63rd Anniversary Giblin Association fete’, which provides resources to support civic, charitable and community causes.  

Don Hannon. Owner and operator of family Carpet and Home Furnishing business based in Union NJ since 1933. Former Newark Parade Grand Marshal and former Chairman of the NJ Irish Festival.  

Joseph A. Hayden, Jr. Sought after Criminal Defense Attorney. Served on the Rules Committee for the Democratic National Convention. 2016 Democratic National Convention delegate. Renowned for his high-profile criminal cases.

Jerramiah Healy. 48th Jersey City Mayor and former Chairman of Hudson County Democratic Committee. Renowned singer of Irish Ballads.  

Elmer J. Herrmann, Jr. Supporter/Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. His mother, Theresa Elizabeth, was the niece of Charles P. Gillen, Newark’s only Irish born Mayor and the Newark Parade’s first Grand Marshal (1936).  

Pat Hobbs. Well-respected and popular former Dean of Seton Hall Law School. Currently serving as Rutgers University’s Athletic Director.  

Matthew Holleran. Young Irish American leader, related to the Durkin’s of Essex County and an executive with a Middlesex County security firm.  

Katherine M. (Matthews) Holmes. General Chairwoman/ Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Former Corresponding Secretary/ Vice Chair/2011 Parade Adjutant. Traces her roots to Counties Cavan and Donegal.  

Brian Hughes. Mercer County Executive. Son of late Governor/ Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard J. Hughes. Elected to (2)-year term in 2016/ Pres./County Executives of America, a national, non-partisan organization.  

John Hughes. Also, son of the late Governor Richard J. Hughes. Retired from the Federal bench. Currently engaged in mediation work.  

Maureen Killeen Hulings. Chair/Board of Commissioners/Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority.  Employed/Connell Foley law firm. Executive Director 200 Club. 2017 Honoree Essex-based Friends of Brian Boru.  

Leo J. Hurley. Partner/Connell Foley’s Commercial Litigation & White Collar Defense Group. Selected by NJ Law Journal: “New Leaders of the Bar”. Former Assistant Prosecutor/ Hudson County. Trustee 200 Club.  

Kathleen Ginty Hyland. Former Mayor/Morris Township. 1998 Grand Marshal. Known as ‘Unofficial’ Outfitter of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade. Owner of (now closed) Ginty’s Irish Gifts in Morristown.

Sean Jackson. Senior VP/Lambertville-based Rosemont Associates and former State Director, top aide to former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli.    

Patricia Jenkins. 2018 Deputy Grand Marshal Belmar/ Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Pat, a nurse, is past president of the St. Rose Grammar School PTA. Member/ Women of Irish Heritage.

Jim Keady. Progressive Democratic Party politician. Lighthouse Tavern Owner. Activist.

Stephen Kealy.  Legendary labor leader and former Business Agent (retired) for flagship Laborers’ Local 472 (LIUNA) of Newark.   

Sean T. Kean. NJ General Assembly/ (R-30) Monmouth County. Traces roots to County Cork, Ireland. 2011 Irishman of the Year/ Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh/ Jersey Shore. Sponsor of legislation celebrating Irish-American contributions to American society.

Mary Boyle Crerand Keaney. Served as Deputy Grand Marshal/ West Orange Irish Parade and 2014 Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 2015 Brian Boru honoree, Traces her roots to County Mayo, Ireland.  

Msgr. Mike E. Kelly. President, Seton Hall Prep, oldest Catholic prep school in NJ. His Holiness Pope John Paul II named Msgr. Kelly as a Prelate of Honor. Appointed liaison/ Irish Community/ Archdiocese of Newark 1990.

James J. Kennedy. Assemblyman (D-22). Elected in 2015. Former Rahway Mayor, lobbyist. Principal, Skye Consulting, LLC.  

John C. Kennedy. Judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Division. (Retired). Former Corporation Counsel/Jersey City. Fellow: Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center in Washington, D.C.  

Patrick Joseph Kennedy. Former Rhode Island Congressman, son of Senator Ted Kennedy, JFK nephew. Mental Health Advocate. Resident of Brigantine.  

Bernard F. Kenny. Popular former member of both the NJ General Assembly and NJ State Senate. Served with distinction as Senate Majority Leader. Former Grand Marshal/Man of The Year for Hoboken’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Held the rank of Lieutenant in the United States Navy.   

Sheila Kenny. Vice-President/ Policy Development/External Affairs. Prudential Financial, Newark. Georgetown/Rutgers Law Graduate.  

Brianna Kostecka. Irish Dance Instructor/Heritage Irish Dance Company. Medalist/World Championships. Attorney/Seton Hall Law graduate. Co-Chair 48th Annual New Jersey Irish Festival.  

Kenneth F. Kunzman. Partner/ Connell Foley law firm. President, St. Patrick’s Guard of Honor. Dedicated to providing scholarships for needy students for community service. US Air Force Captain (1962-1965).  2010 Grand Marshal of the West Orange Parade.  

Gary Lanigan. New Jersey’s longtime Commissioner/Department of Corrections. Recently re-nominated by Governor Phil Murphy.  

Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B. Grand Marshal of the 82nd Anniversary Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Served as Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark since its re-opening in 1973. A 1963 Prep school graduate.

Gerald P. Lenihan. Director/Security at Seton Hall Law School. Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (retired). Former Grand Marshal and General Chairman of the Newark Parade and the NJ Irish Festival.  

Steve Lenox. Lenox Consulting. Dual American/Irish citizenship. Former State Director/Senator Frank Lautenberg. President/Irish Network USA.  

Jim Logue. President of the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.  

Terry Lowe, Municipal Chairman/Cedar Grove Democratic Committee. His son, Brian M. Lowe, is a public relations consultant and Co-Chair of the 48th Annual New Jersey Irish Festival. 

Robert Lynch. Proprietor of the Kilkenny Ale House/Central Avenue, Newark. 2018 Deputy Grand Marshal/ 67th West Orange Parade serving alongside Deputies Sean J. McGinley and Brad Squires.

Barbara A. Lyons. Irish American Cultural Institute. 2014 Woman of the Year/ Giblin Association. Former West Orange Deputy Grand Marshal. Member/ Women of Irish Heritage.  

Kelly Stewart Maer. 20 years of legislative and lobbying experience. Currently with Duane Morris Government Strategies. Serves as Treasurer of the NJ Democratic State Committee.  

Colleen M. Mahr. Highly regarded Vice-Chair of Union County Democratic Committee. Mayor of Fanwood Boro. Former President/New Jersey Conference of Mayors. Director of Business Dev. for DMR Architects.  

Kevin McCabe. Middlesex County Democratic Party Chairman. President of Carpenter Contractor Trust. Former NJ Labor Commissioner. Serves as a member of the NY/NJ Port Authority Board of Commissioners.  

Marianne McConnell. Vice-Chair/Morris County Democratic Committee. JD/Seton Hall Law School. Currently on the Madison Borough Board of Health and Legal Services of Northwest Jersey.  

John E. McCormac. Mayor of Woodbridge. Elected In 2006 in the oldest original township in the state of New Jersey. Former NJ State Treasurer.

Mary McCormick, BSN, MSN, NP-C, Seton Hall University. Summit Medical Group, Frequent Irish traveler and champion golfer.  

Greg and Matt McDermott. Brothers: Greg, former Mayor of Westfield and Matt, experienced government lobbyist with the Kaufman Zita Group. Sons of the legendary late Francis X. McDermott, former/NJ Senate President/Union County GOP Chairman and candidate for NJ Governor.

Frank McEnerney. Accountant. Member of numerous Irish American organizations. Long time Parade official in West Orange. Former Essex County Irishman of the Year.   

Jack McGarry. Retired East Orange PD detective sergeant and acclaimed piper with the Essex County Emerald Society Police & Fire Pipe Band. 2006 Grand Marshal of the West Orange Parade.  

Michael B. McGlynn. Fairfield Councilman. Local 68 IUOE Business Rep. Honored by NY County Roscommon Society. Former Pres., AOH Div. #9.  

Jennifer Nagle McGovern. Founder/Director of the award winning DeNogla-Ardmore Academy of Irish Dance started with her sister Alison Nagle in 1993. Newark Parade Deputy Grand Marshal 2010.  

Philip F. McGovern. Jr. Managing Partner of Connell Foley law firm and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Received the “Irish Legal100” Award 2015- 2016 and named Best Lawyers in America 2013-2017.  

Sean McGovern. Former Roseland Councilman. Newark based attorney and well-known proprietor of McGovern’s Tavern in Newark.  

James E. McGreevey. Elected New Jersey Governor 2001. Former State Assemblyman and State Senator. 2001Grand Marshal /Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Executive Director/ Jersey City Employment & Training. Lauded for pioneering prison reform efforts.

John E. McGuire, Jr.  Giblin Association Treasurer. Former member of NYPD and decorated veteran Detective/ Essex County Sheriff’s Department (retired). Former Essex County Irishman of the Year.   

Patti McGuire. Princeton Public Affairs Group. Former Deputy Chief of Staff/Governor Jon Corzine, former aide to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. Successful lobbyist and officer of New Leaders Council of NJ.  

Vincent McKelvey, Hamilton Township St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Chair and President/Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. Crean Division 1.   

John McKeon.  Highly regarded State Assemblyman (D-27). Financial Institutions & Insurance Chairman. Former Mayor of West Orange, attorney and long time organizer of the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Owen McNany, President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges, Inc., now celebrating its 117th Anniversary.

John McPartlan. 2018 Grand Marshal 22nd Union County Irish Parade. Owner of Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Clark. “Champion for the Center for Hope Hospice/ NJ Coalition of Autism Awareness.”  

Bernadette P. McPherson Esq. Adjunct Prof/Law John Jay College. Honors grad/LaSalle/JD Temple. Former Councilwoman/Mayor/Rutherford. Bergen County Freeholder. Honored by Irish Echo. Roots in County Mayo.  

Jim McQueeney. Former White House Bureau Chief/Star-Ledger. Successful public relations executive, political analyst and the host of New Jersey Now on My9 (WWOR-TV). Served as Chief of Staff for U. S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Roots in County Leitrim.   

Mary Ellen McVeigh. Curator of Education, Liberty Hall Museum/ Kean University. MA/Seton Hall. Family hails from the Irish Aran Islands.  

Mary Meehan. Seton Hall University’s 1st woman President. BA, MA and Ph.D (Seton Hall). MS/Health Policy &Management/ NY Medical College.  

Rosemarie L. Mellody. 2015 Grand Marshal/Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. First woman Grand Marshal in the parade’s 83-year history. Resident of Upper Montclair. Native of County Longford, Ireland.  

Maggee Miggins. Highly successful Short Hills Real Estate Executive. Owner: The Miggins Group/Keller-Williams. Served as Deputy Grand Marshal of Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Church choir soloist.  

Monmouth County Irish American Democratic Honorees 2018. Avon Councilwoman Patricia Sheehan, Keyport Councilman Joe Sheridan, Lake Como Councilman Kevin Higgins, Neptune Mayor Nicholas Williams, Atlantic Highlands Chairwoman Regina Hawley-Keelen and Wall Township County Committeewoman Mary Grace Neuhaus. 

Maggie Moran. Managing Partner of Kivvit, a national Public Affairs firm. Former Deputy Chief of Staff/Governor Jon Corzine. Leader in state politics. Former State Director for both NJ Senators Corzine and Lautenberg.   

Tom Moran. Veteran Star-Ledger Editorial Page Editor/ Political Columnist. Once told NYT’s, he has “a front-row seat on the spectacle of NJ politics.”  

Paul D. Moriarty. Assemblyman (D-4). Deputy Speaker/Chairman/ Consumer Affairs Committee. Member, Labor Committee. Former Washington Township Mayor/ Emmy award winning investigative journalist.

William ‘Bill’ Mullen. President/ NJ State Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Former President of Ironworkers Local 11. Influential voice among legislative leaders in Trenton.  

Paul Mulshine. Star-Ledger journalist since 1995. Grew up in Toms River. Worked for the Philadelphia Daily News. Regards himself as the sole remaining old-time conservative columnist at a major American newspaper.    

John Murphy. 2018 Grand Marshal/Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Financial Advisor/ Private Advisor Group/ Morristown. Former Freeholder, Morris Township Committeeman and Mayor. Active (decorated) member of the Morris Township Volunteer Fire Department.  

Mary K. Murphy. Executive Director, North Jersey Transportation Authority. 2017 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.   

Michael Murphy. Former Morris County prosecutor. Gubernatorial candidate/1997 Democratic primary. Finished strong third behind Jim McGreevey and Congressman Rob Andrews. Successful lobbyist.

Philip D. Murphy. Governor of New Jersey. Former Ambassador to Germany (2009-2013). Former Goldman Sachs Executive/National Finance Chairman for Democratic National Committee. Wife, Tammy, parents of four. Graduate of Harvard and Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  

Carolyn A. Murray. NJ Superior Court Judge. Former Essex County Prosecutor and counsel to NJ Attorney General. Georgetown University (cum laude) and NYU Law School. 2012 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year and 2013 honoree of the Friends of Brian Boru.

Ed Neafsey, Human rights activist and volunteer trial observer/ Irish Diplock Courts. Dual American/Irish citizenship. Highly regarded lecturer on the Troubles and Northern Ireland peace process. Member Gov. Murphy’s transition team. 2015 Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Irishman of the Year.  

Joe Nolan. Veteran radio announcer/P.A. at High Point Solutions Stadium for Rutgers Football and MetLife Stadium/ NY Jets. Owner/ founder of NJ Internet Radio. 2017 Grand Marshal/Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.    

Bill O’Dea. Author; The Legacy of Haguesville. Was the youngest member ever elected to the Jersey City Council at age 26 in 1985. Long time member of the Hudson County Freeholder Board.   

Jason O’Donnell. Former principal with Kivvit, a national Public Affairs firm. Served in NJ State Assembly (D-31). Former Public Safety Director and Bayonne Fire Captain. 2018 Candidate for Bayonne Mayor.   

Kevin O’Dowd. Cooper University Health Care/ Senior Executive/VP and Chief Administrative Officer. Former Chief of Staff/Governor Chris Christie.  

Brendan (Dan) O’Flaherty. Economics Prof/Columbia Univ. Marathon runner, political strategist, author, Trustee/Newark Historical Society.  

Lorna O’Hara. Strategic Advisor/Princeton Public Affairs Group. Named Certified Association Executive (CAE) (American Society of Association Executives highest professional credential). Reader of Irish history.

Maureen E. O’Hara. Stalwart West Orange Irish community leader and Grand Marshal of the 2016 WO St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

Declan O’Scanlon. NJ State Senator. Former Republican Assemblyman/ Monmouth County (R-13) known for advocating improvement for drivers who travel on the state’s roads.  

Kevin O’Toole. Chairman/ Port Authority of NY/NJ. Former NJ State Senator (R-40) and Essex County GOP Chairman. 2015 Essex County Irishman of the Year.

Sean Pender. National Director of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), State AOH President and former Grand Marshal of the Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Patrick (O’Shea) Politano. Well known Union County political strategist, named for Ireland’s patron saint by his mother Flora O’Shea.

Joan Quigley. Former State Assemblywoman/Jersey City. Recently appointed to the Joint Legislative Commission on Ethical Standards. Joan’s column appears in the Jersey Journal.   

Ann Quindlen. American novelist, journalist, and columnist, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Graduate of South Brunswick High School.  

Dermot Quinn. Professor of History/Seton Hall University and author of The Irish in New Jersey: Four Centuries of American Life.  

Mike Quinn.  Founding member of the Morris County Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. Served as Parade Grand Marshal 2017. Instrumental in bringing the parade to Morristown from Wharton more than 26 years ago.

Mickey Quinn. Veteran Democratic Party political operative. Chief of Staff to Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-6).

Bill Raftery. “The Coach”. Analyst and play-by-play announcer /CBS Sports (college basketball). Named Mr. Basketball (1959), 3-sport all-state HS player, coached at Fairleigh Dickinson and Seton Hall (1970-81).  

Dan Reilly. 2018 Belmar/ Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Former Chairman/ NJ Irish Festival. Supporter of Special Olympics and benefit projects for disabled veterans.

Paul Reilly. Former Newark Deputy Mayor and Master of Ceremonies for the Newark Irish Parade and principal/ Essex-based Friends of Brian Boru.   

Erin Rice. Former aide to U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell/ Community Relations/PAC/Local 825/International Union of Operating Engineers.  2016 Irish Echo Honoree “Top 40 Under 40 Award.”

Celeste M. Riley. Cumberland County Clerk, former NJ Assemblywoman (D-3). Former Bridgeton City Council President. Family hails from counties Cork and Mayo.  

Joseph “Joe” Roberts, Jr. Former Camden County Freeholder Director who went on to serve with distinction as Majority Leader and Speaker of the NJ General Assembly.

Chris “Chip” Robinson. Chairman/Morris County Democratic Committee. Attorney at Degrado Halkovich, LLC. Honors graduate/ Rutgers University and JD/ Seton Hall Law School.

Mary Robinson. Madison resident. Founder and Executive Director of Imagine, Center for Coping With Loss. Named ‘NJ Hero of the Year’ by NJ’s then First Lady Mary Pat Christie.   

Kevin J. Ryan. Essex County Undersheriff, former State Assemblyman and Grand Marshal of the 2003 Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

John ‘Jack’ Sayers. 2015 Grand Marshal of the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Lawyer, veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. and Business Manager for the Township of West Orange.

Marguerite “Peg” Schaffer. Chair of the Somerset County Democratic Committee, Partner at Shain, Schaffer and Rafanello, PC. Known for her sharp wit and brilliance in and out of court.   

Francine Schott. NJ Superior Court Judge (retired). 2018 Honoree/Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Division #9’s 118th Anniversary Dinner.  

William “Bill” Scully. Legend in Irish circles for his quick wit, fine voice, classic moustache, short game in golf (which includes putting from sand traps) and as the long time proprietor and host of McGovern’s Tavern.

Donald Shauger. 2018 Grand Marshal /67thWest Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Executive Vice President/The Shauger Group, family owned and operated contracting company founded1981.   

James Shea. Jersey City Public Safety Director. Retired Deputy Chief from the New York City Police Department.

John Shea III, Director/Committee on Political Education (COPE) for New Jersey State AF-CIO.  

Miriam (Mims) Sheridan. Born in Dublin, renowned for her volunteerism and a strong supporter of the Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  2017 Deputy Grand Marshal. 

Raymond Simione..  Chief Engineer AT&T facility/Secaucus, NJ. Local 68 (IUOE) Executive Board Member. Giblin Association 2016 Man of The Year. Chairman of the Association’s Board of Governors.

Chris Smith. 20-term U.S. Congressman (R-4 NJ). Senior member/Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organization Subcommittee. Recipient/American Ireland Fund’s Distinguished Leadership Award.   

Brian P. Stack. State Senator from the 33rd District. Union City Mayor.

Barbara McCann Stamato. 2018 Jersey City Irish Parade Committee’s Irishwoman of the Year. Jersey City Democratic Committee Chairwoman.  

Christine A. Stearns. Lawyer/Director, Gov’t & Regulatory Affairs, Gibbons, PC, Trenton. Listed on NJ Spotlight‘s “Top 10 Healthcare Lobbyists.” Traces her roots to the McMahons of County Monaghan.

Guy Sterling. Journalist, author/historian. Columbia J-School grad.  35-year newspaper career/reporter with Star-Ledger. Only New Jersey-based reporter to interview Richard Nixon after he moved to the New York area.  

Sister Frances Sullivan, OP. Well respected Head of School for Mount St. Dominic’s Academy, Caldwell, NJ.   

Tim Sullivan. Chief Executive Officer/NJ Economic Development Authority. Born and raised in Bergen County.

Betsy (Reilly) Sutherland. Grand Marshal /15th Annual Sussex County   Irish Parade. First woman to serve on Sparta’s Zoning & Planning Boards.  

Steve Sweeney. Serves with distinction as President of the NewJersey State Senate. Former Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 399 and now General Organizer for the Intl Association of Ironworkers. 

Joseph M. Taylor. 2018 Grand Marshal Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. First American executive officer/ Panasonic Corporation (retired). Moved the company’s headquarters to Newark 2013. Meaningful role in the revitalization of Newark.  

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Sheehan Teevan. 2017 Deputy Grand Marshal/Newark Irish Parade. St. Vincent’s Academy grad. Proprietor: The Full Shilling Irish Restaurant and Pub in NYC’s financial district.  

Mikie Sherrill. 2018 Candidate for US Congress/ 11th CD. Ten year Navy veteran. Helicopter Pilot. Mother of 4. Graduate/ US Naval Academy, London School of Economics (MA), JD/Georgetown Law School. Montclair resident. Traces roots to County Cork, Ireland.

Cardinal Joseph William Tobin. Archbishop of Newark, His Eminence grew up in a large Irish Catholic family, oldest of thirteen children. Pope Francis announced his elevation to Cardinal (one of 18 nationwide) in November 2016. Installed January 2017. First time the Newark Archdiocese is headed by a Cardinal.   

Ann Twomey. Distinguished President of the Hospital and Professional and Allied Employees (HPAE-AFT), a state nurse’s union. Formerly named Labor Leader of The Year by Rutgers University. 2016 delegate to the Democratic National Convention. VP/NJ State AFL-CIO.

Virginia “Ginny” Treacy. Executive Director/Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization (JNESO). Respected leader with 35 years of service to labor causes (retired)). 2008 Deputy Grand Marshal/Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

Josie Logue Tully. 2018 Deputy Grand Marshal Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Clifton resident, native of Donegal, Ireland. Member of the Frank McGovern and Giblin Associations. 

Meg Wastie. Curator/Education/Museum Early Trades and Crafts (retired), non-profit educational institution/architectural treasure in Madison, NJ. Irish lineage traces to Counties Cavan (Monaghans) and Cork (Sullivans).   

Sheila Lenihan Walsh. University Hospital, Newark APN. Former Newark Parade Deputy Grand Marshal. Husband, John, former Grand Marshal.

Robert C. (Bobby) Williams. Trustee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges. Attorney in private practice. Life long West Orange resident.  

Kelly Yaede. Hamilton Mayor and 2018 Grand Marshal/Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Daniel J. Zeisner. Director of Union Township Police. Grand Marshal of the 2009 Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Former Newark police officer.  

In Memoriam 

Brendan T. Byrne (1924-2018).  NJ Governor of New Jersey (1974-82). Last Democratic Governor to win re-election. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for navigating B-17’s over Nazi Germany. Known for his intelligence and rapier wit. One of NJ’s most revered statesmen.  

Maurice (Mickey) Carroll. (1931-2017). Covered government and politics for at least eight New York and New Jersey newspapers over four decades.  Later (1995) became Director of the Quinnipiac University polling institute where he also taught journalism. Graduate/University of Notre Dame.  

Margaret (Peggy) O’Boyle Dunigan. (1942-2017). Active in numerous Irish American organizations. Former two term Bloomfield Councilwoman. Former Deputy Grand Marshal/Newark and Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parades. 2015 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year.  

Jamie Fox. (1954-2017). Respected 40-year career in New Jersey government and politics.  Former NJ State Transportation Commissioner, Chief of Staff to Governor Jim McGreevey and U.S. Senator Bob Torricelli.   

Jim Whelan. (1948-2017). Member of New Jersey State Senate (D-2) and former city councilman and Mayor of Atlantic City.

Brendan Tevlin (1995-2014). Seton Hall Prep grad and University of Richmond freshman. Posthumously named 2015 Young Irishman by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges.  

Donations in his memory can still be made to: Brendan P. Tevlin ’13 Memorial Field Fund c/o Seton Hall Prep. 120 Northfield Ave. 

 West Orange, NJ Orange, NJ. 07052