(L to R) Maureen Jergens – Parade Co-Chair 2019, Debbie Hutchinson – President, Laura Jacobs – Parade Chair 2019, Maryalice Jacko – Grand Marshal 2019, Susan Crofford – Irish Woman of the Year 2019, Ken Gardner – Irish Man of the Year 2019. Top Right: 2019 Miss American Irish – Erin Cahill Bottom Right: 2019 Lady-in-Waiting – Grace Fischer *Photo Submitted
Grand Marshal & Irish Lady of the Year Share Great Memories
Press Release
By: Jane Bobel & Ken Gardner, Woodbridge American Irish Assn. Parade Committee
WOODBRIDGE – Maryalice Jacko, this years’ Grand Marshal, will lead our parade as her father George Aston did 30 years ago. That is not a position she is used to. In all other years the Jacko’s, Aston’s & their extended family have been the last to march. Their annual job is regular parade marshal which is not so Grand! The family tradition goes back as far as she can remember. Her parents, Mary and the late George Aston as well as her siblings, George Aston and the late Cindy Stiles have had the job of getting the parade on the street. Her children Daniel and Jessica along with their cousins have all become part of the team. In the months leading up to the parade they establish the line of march properly spreading out bands & other groups so all can be heard & seen. On parade day as marshals they stand at the entrance to Woodbridge High School with clip boards in hand. When the parade steps off approximately 100 separate marching units are coming at them from all directions. The groups push forward. No one wants to be last. Like a police officer standing in rush hour traffic it is their job to let the groups out one by one. As the parade heads down Freeman Street towards Linden Avenue their team weaves in floats, car clubs & fire Departments. By the time they get to Main Street the public gets to appreciate the great job they have done for years.
Soon after holding the title of Miss American Irish in 1984 Maryalice jumped into club activities (her daughter Jessica held the title in 2014). She served as an officer, director, parade chair, attended Halloween parties, picnics, boat trips & ran an arts & crafts festival. Along with her lifelong friend Alice Sinatra they ran Association ski trips. Maryalice & Alice Mary are an inseparable team from planning the parade to post parade decorating & refreshments. If they appear alone – they speak for one another & get the job done. Maryalice also served as coordinator of JFKMHS Project Graduation Gift Auction 2009-2018. As a cancer survivor of 5 years she is also on the committee for Relay for Life & is an active participant of the Stay Strong Program at the Woodbridge Community Center. She is past president of the Robert Mascenik and JFKMHS PTA as well as a former Board of Education member & Girl Scout leader of troop 225 of Iselin. While working for Disney she spent many hours volunteering for Make-a-Wish.
Our Irish Lady of the Year is Susan Crofford. Susan’s parents Art & Marge were charter members of the Association. She attended many of the activities such as Christmas parties, picnics and all of the parades. Her dad was head of the picnic one year and she was so excited and proud of him. She fondly remembers helping to give out the ice cream (taking an extra one for herself)! The Christmas parties added to her joy for Christmas and a special gift from Santa. Years later Susan brought her own daughter to the parties.
Her parents would be so proud that Susan is so involved with the club and carrying on her Irish heritage. She participates in the coin collection for the veteran’s, feeding the homeless & she Chaired the hospitality Committee for the past 2 years. She loves working with and helping people & attends 10 o’clock mass every Sunday at our Lady of Peace church. She has been with her soul mate Ed Vasquez (almost Irish lol) for 26 years and has one daughter named Kelly. Susan just became a grandma to grandson Jayden who is her pride and joy! When Susan is not working at Boscovs she cares for her Jayden.
Ken Gardner is our Irishman of the Year. He serves as a Trustee for the NJ League of Municipalities Educational Foundation. Ken served as the youngest Council President of Woodbridge at 25. He also serves as a volunteer Firefighter (for 29 years) & was Fire Chief & Commissioner. He was the initial Incident Commander for the Shell tank fire. He has served as a little league & soccer coach, PTO President, is on the Finance Council for St. James Church & along with Janine was on the Pre-Cana team. Ken has a degree in Business (Seton Hall), a certificate in Government (Rutgers) & a certificate in Supervisory Management from the National Certified Public Managers Program.
He has served as President, Director, Parade & Publicity Chair for our Association & participates in most activities. He has also established contact with Ireland’s Ambassador & other Irish clubs. Ken is proud & appreciates his large Irish family (Gardner / Rogan). After Ken’s mom passed he was raised by his Uncle & Aunt, Charlie & Elizabeth Fitzpatrick. Ken met his wife Janine at WHS. They have been blessed with two wonderful children, Rebecca & Kenny III (& dog Jameson).
Erin Cahill is our Miss American Irish. Erin is senior at Edison High School and currently on the All A Honor roll. Erin started her freshman year as a two-sport varsity athlete (softball & swimming). She has been part of the varsity softball team since freshman year. Erin is on student council where she has assisted with Halloween at the High and the Peer Leadership club where she speaks with the freshman classes. She also had the opportunity to be the host of her school talent show. Erin is very interested in Cosmetology and in her spare time she has had the opportunity to partake in school functions such as plays and the prom. She would like to pursue a career in Cosmetology after seeking a business/finance degree. Erin is very thankful for being named this year’s Miss American Irish. She is the Sister of Kylie, former Miss American Irish and daughter of Patrick and Laura Cahill!
Our Lady in Waiting is Grace Fischer. She is a junior at Roselle Catholic high school where she has maintained a career GPA of 93.63 in her honors/AP classes. She is a member of student council, art club, glee club, drama club, the retreat team and campus ministry as well as manager of the boys’ volleyball team. She’s also on the varsity volleyball team & was named MVP as well as making First team in her division and Third team in her county. Grace is devoted to helping her church and community. She has served as an altar girl & lector at St James the Apostle Church for several years. She volunteers nightly at the parish festival, sorts food for the hungry and prepares/serves meals to the homeless families her church sponsors. She’s even slept out overnight, in a box, to help raise awareness as well as funds for homeless families.
The Woodbridge American Irish Association is a civic organization that meets monthly, feeds the homeless, sponsors the Justin McCarthy Scholarship, maintains the Charlie Shaughnessy Park, hosts the Joe Ward Breakfast, visits our Menlo Park Veterans Home, tools around town etc.
We are most known for organizing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our Parade Chair is Laura Jacobs. She thanks the Parade Committee for their unselfish effort in making this multi-faceted parade come together & her husband Larry & children, Michelle & Andrew Coraci, who have blessed her with faith, support and love. To our supporters she offers a Gaelic Blessing. “….Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand.” said Jacobs.
The parade is funded with ads from local businesses & donations. To support the parade by donating or to participate please go to Amerirish.com. Like us on Facebook at American Irish Association of Woodbridge.
This year’s parade is March 10th at 1:30 pm. It starts at Woodbridge High School & ends at Town Hall on Main St.
