essex county commissioners celebrate st. patrick’s day and honor local parades

Parade honorees and chairs with Essex County Commissioners. Parades top to bottom: Newark, Nutley, West Orange. Commissioners L to R: Wayne Richardson, Leonard Luciano, President Carlos Pomares, Brendan Gill, and Robert Mercado.

(Newark, NJ) – Wednesday evening, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This event commemorates the heritage, culture, and spirit of the County’s Irish-American community, recognizing the contributions of local St. Patrick’s Day Parades and their honorees – in Newark, Nutley, and West Orange.

“Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans have a long history and great influence in Essex County dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and are an important part of the County’s diverse tapestry,” said Commissioner At-Large Brendan W. Gill. “My Irish heritage and the Essex Irish community are great sources of joy for me and my family, so I am proud to lift up our local St. Patrick’s Day parades who are helping keep our culture alive and thriving. Congratulations to all the honorees and thank you to the Parade Committees for continuing these important traditions for future generations.”

Father John McCrone, of the Newark Archdiocese and Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair, conducted opening and closing prayers. Musical accompaniment was provided by bagpiper Joe McGonigal of Saint Columcille United Gaelic PipeBand and vocalist Veronica Shea.

See pictures of the event here.

Honorees:

The 90th Annual Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Friday, March 21st. The Parade was represented by Parade Chairwoman Susan H. Gartland, and honorees included Grand Marshal Sean McGovern, Esq, and Deputy Grand Marshals Maura Campbell, John Gethins, Tim McConway, and Rev. John McCrone. Newark Grand Marshal Sean McGovern, Esq., proud Newark native, traces his Irish heritage through his father, Eamon, who hails from County Cavan, while his mother’s roots go back to Leitrim and Mayo through her parents. Sean’s career began as an Assistant Prosecutor under Jay Fahy, the Bergen County Prosecutor. He later established his own practice, the Law Office of John P. McGovern, located above The Bar in Newark.      In 2001, Sean and his wife Jennifer purchased McGovern’s Tavern, a historic Newark institution. They continue to preserve the tavern's legacy as a cherished gathering place. Sean and Jennifer married in 1994, and they have four children: Ciara (married to Ryan), Jack, Dylan, and Maggie. Sean is an active member of McGovern’s Association, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, the Irish American Association of the Oranges, and the Moose Lodge in Manahawkin. For more information on Newark Grand Marshal Ted Giblin and the rest of the Newark Parade honorees, click here.

The 46th Annual Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on Saturday, March 1st. The Parade was represented by Nutley Irish American Association President Deidre Hollywood, and honorees included Grand Marshal John Kaufman, Deputy Grand Marshal Kevin Smyth, Police Officer of the Year Brendan Sim, Member of the Year Mary Darragh, and Parade Queen Rachel May Hamilton. Nutley Grand Marshal John Kaufman traces his Irish roots to both his mother’s and father’s sides. His mother, Kathy, is a retired North Arlington high school teacher. Kathy’s grandfather was born in County Sligo. His father, John Sr., is a retired Jersey City Fire Captain. John was born in Paterson and raised in North Arlington. He attended Wilson School in North Arlington and St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark. He earned a B.S. in biology and a doctorate in physical therapy from Stockton University. He and his brothers Christian, Luke and Keith are all proud Eagle Scouts. John began his physical therapy career at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, before opening his own practice in Nutley, Core Physical Therapy. John met his wife Krysty while they were in college. They will be married 17 years in June and have resided in Nutley since 2006 with their kids Shayla Maureen and Shane Patrick. For more information on Nutley Grand Marshal Robert Irwin and the rest of the Nutley Parade honorees, click here.

The 72nd Annual West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 16th. The Parade was represented by Parade Chair Michael Cunningham, and honorees included Grand Marshal Noel G. O’Keeffe, and Deputy Grand Marshals Kevin Bolan, Rich McDonald, Jim McGuire, and Kathleen Smith Loria. West Orange Grand Marshal Noel G. O’Keeffe was born in Orange, to Noel Sr. of Ballyduff in County Waterford, and Phylis of Sallynoggin in County Dublin. When he was 13, young Noel joined Big Noel “apprenticing” with O’Keeffe Contracting, a West Orange business since 1964. He joined the family business full-time when he graduated high school, and has since expanded the business and continues to run it out of West Orange today. The O’Keeffe family was raised, in part, by the local Irish community. A lot of time was spent at the Shillelagh Club and at Irish dances and festivals, followed, of course, by mass on Sunday morning at Our Lady of Lourdes. Noel joined the Shillelagh Club in 1988, and less than a year later, joined the Essex Shillelagh Pipe & Drum Band where he has made lifelong friendships. He has served as the Band’s Quartermaster, Pipe Corporal and Pipe Sergeant, and as the Club’s Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Keeper of the Shillelagh, and Vice President. In 2012, he joined the South Park and District Pipe Band, which has been a main stay of his life ever since. Noel is deeply proud of his two children, Connor and Brianna. In May of 2014, Noel connected with Laura Harrington. They soon became inseparable and have been living happily in sin ever since. For more information on West Orange Grand Marshal Patrick O’Rourke and the rest of the West Orange Parade honorees, click here.