Meet Irish Man, Woman Of The Year In Woodbridge St. Patrick's Parade

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday, March 9.

The parade is one of the largest parades and celebrations of Irish-American heritage in New Jersey. It starts at Woodbridge High School and ends at Woodbridge Town Hall on Main Street.

To march in the parade email santaonsmith@gmail.com

Sean Daly is Irish Man of the Year and Peggy Foley is Irish Woman of the Year.

Daly was last year’s Parade Chair. He was President of the Family School Association Board at Assumption Catholic School from 2014-2017. He ran pancake breakfasts, grilled at the end-of-the-year picnics, and was in charge of three of the Christmas Bazaars. He also ran the track and bowling teams. As a member of the Woodbridge American Irish Association, he collects coins, tools around town, and was in charge of their second Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day event. He currently runs their blood drive twice a year. He is also a member of the Perth Amboy Hibernians and Knights of Columbus. Sean ushers whenever needed at St. James Parish. His wife is Connie and they have two children: Natalie and Brian (& their family dog, Prancer). His parents were James and Carol Daly.

Foley ran the St. James Food Pantry in Woodbridge and is an ESL instructor for New Jersey Literacy. She is currently treasurer of the Woodbridge American Irish Association and has served on the parade, scholarship, veterans, dinner dance, AD book, Raise a Pint and Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day committees. She was born and raised in New York City, the oldest of five children born to Thomas & Mary Ann Crimmins (nee McKelvey). Her grandparents, James & Mary McKelvey (nee Pearse) were born in Donegal & Kerry, Ireland, respectively. Her ancestor Padraig Pearse was one of the leaders of the Easter Rebellion of 1916. She is the proud mother of her three sons, Colin, Kerry & Brendan and a loving mother-in-law to Lucille & Ryan and grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter Rory.