By Jennifer Ersalesi
This Sunday, March 2nd, the Rutherford Irish-American Association will host its 8th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade will kick off at 1 pm from Park Ave and Woodland Ave. Once again, there will be many non-profit organizations, bands, businesses, governmental groups, police and fire departments, etc. These include Felcian University, Top Dawgs, Junkin Irishman, Girl Scouts, Rutherford Fire Department, Elks Lodge, Marine Corps League, BCB Bank, and many more. Learn more on their website.
This year's Grand Marshal is Eric Moore. Eric was born in Ireland and traveled to America as a teenager to play Division II Soccer at Felician University after playing very successfully in Ireland for many years. For seventeen years, Eric has been employed with the Bank of NY. He's held leadership roles within various Irish organizations in NY and NJ, including his role as a founding trustee and the first President of the Rutherford Irish-American Association.
The Deputy Grand Marshal is Brian Bruton, who was born and raised in Rutherford, New Jersey. His father, however, was born and raised in County Meath, Ireland. After twenty-seven years working in law enforcement, where he rose to the Deputy Chief of Detectives in the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, he recently retired. Brian plays the bagpipes with the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County.
Brian Montague is the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Brian started his career in the Passaic County Sheriff's Department. He became a motorcycle officer and, eventually a motorcycle instructor. He works with the East Rutherford Police Department as a Sergeant and is the current Vice-President of the Police Motor Officer Training Association.
The Firefighter of the Year is Sean Walker. Sean retired from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office. For 25 years, Sean Walker has been a firefighter with the Rutherford Fire Department, where he held positions such as Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief of the Department. He is also a former Borough of Rutherford Councilmember and volunteers with Rutherford Recreation, Little League Softball, and the 55 Kip Center.
George McDermott is the EMT of the Year. George has been part of the North Arlington Volunteer Emergency Squad (NAVES) for thirty-four years. He has saved twenty-five lives and was named EMT of the Year. He has served as a Dispatcher for the North Arlington Police Department for twenty-five years and as a Firefighter for twenty-three years. He serves on the North Arlington Board of Education, North Arlington Board of Health, and the Board of Directors of the NJ State Organization for Cystic Fibrosis.
The Members of the Year are James and Mary McGrath. James was born to an Irish Family in Staten Island. He worked with the Jersey City Water Department for 42 years. Mary's great grandparents were from Ireland. She worked at AT&T for 43 years. James and Mary have volunteered as parade adjutants and are very proud to be members of the RIAA.
