Newark St. Patrick's Parade Marshalls Named

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Inc., organizers of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the state, announced that Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Esq. as its Grand Marshal and Eileen P. Gilleece, Detective Sergeant First Class with the New Jersey State Police, as Deputy Grand Marshal in its 78th Year. 

In addition, Bloomfield Councilwoman-at-Large Peggy O'Boyle, a member of the Newark Parade Committee, will help lead the festivities.

The parade will be held on Friday afternoon, March 15 with grandstand ceremonies beginning at 12 p.m. and the official parade kick-off at 1 pm. The parade starts on Mulberry Street at the Prudential Center, making its way past the Gateway Complex, to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, passing Military Park on Center Street, to Central Avenue leading up to St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral and ending in front of the Newark Museum and Washington Park.  

“We are pleased to have Patrick Dunican and Eileen Gilleece lead the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade in its 78 year,” said Michael D. Byrne, General Chairman of the event. “We hope Irish-Americans in the City and across the state will continue support our parade as it continues to grow. We are looking forward to another great year.” 

The 2013 Grand Marshal, Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Esq., is chairman and managing director of Gibbons P.C. law firm, a position he was elected to in 2004 at the age of 36. Among Patrick’s many roles, he serves on the Board of NJPAC and the Board of Advisors of the Irish American Bar Association of NJ. The Deputy Grand Marshal, Eileen P. Gilleece, is a Detective Sergeant First Class with the New Jersey State Police. Eileen is past president of the Women of Irish Heritage and was honored as Irishwoman of the Year by the Friends of Brian Boru in 2010. 

The Parade will be Dedicated to Terence “Terry” Pellegrino, on the first anniversary of his passing. Mr. Pellegrino retired from the Paterson Fire Department with the rank of Battalion Chief and was a veteran of the Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. He was also a member of the West Orange Elks Lodge #1590 and the West Orange Chapter of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh.