(L to R) President Deborah Hutchinson, Parade Vice Chair Jim McFadden, Parade Chairwoman Maureen Kelly-Jurgens, Grand Marshal Claire Miloscia, Irish Lady of the Year Barbara Lasek, Irishman of the Year Terry Sharkey, Miss American Irish Grace Fischer & Lady in Waiting Erin Sinatra.
*Photo Submitted
American Irish Recognize Their Community Servants
Press Release: By Ken Gardner, Publicity Chair, Woodbridge American Irish Assn.
WOODBRIDGE – Claire Curran-Miloscia is this year’s Grand Marshal. While you will clearly recognize her leading the parade this year with family & friends of Irish Heritage – You might have needed a second look to spot her at pervious parades and public events. Claire has worn many hats (& costumes) to help Woodbridge Township celebrate events all year long.
In our parade you may have seen her as a Leprechaun. On Columbus Day as Queen Isabella & in the Holiday Parade & activities as Mrs. Claus….. & she doesn’t stop there. She was the Queen of her Port Reading Red Hatter’s, President of the Woodbridge High School Band Parents Association & a Charter Member and Past President of Don Bosco Columbiettes in Port Reading where she is currently serving as Financial Secretary. She is also a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Claire served as President & Director of the Woodbridge American Irish Association and leads the Justin McCarthy Scholastic Award Committee. As a member of the Sewaren Senior Citizens she’s traveled to Casinos and the Irish Weekends in Wildwood.
Claire joined the working class right out of High School, as a Secretary for Marine Transport Lines in New York City. She retired in June 2017 from Fords Middle School. Her parents were Joseph and Lauretta (Donovan) Michels. Her 1st husband Barney Curran passed away. His father was born and raised in County Cavin. In 1989 Claire had the opportunity and pleasure to visit Barney’s family in Ireland. Claire and Barney raised four children, Brian, Colleen (Barcellona), Kevin and Susan. She is now frequently seen in costume with her husband & partner Larry Miloscia. She gained three stepchildren, Frank, Larry Jr and Rosann Miloscia. She is proud to have seven grandchildren, Amy Barcellona, Karen Peregine, Michael Barcellona, Jennifer, James, Sean and Maura Curran, and four step grand-children, Beth, Jennifer, LJ and Frank Miloscia. She is especially proud to be a great-grandmother of Mackenzie & Payton Wendel, Vienna Barcellona, Kaila & Kara Buirkel, Isabella & Gabriella Peregine, Declan & Tyler Curran. It should be obvious Claire is a very active lady – wherever there’s a party – she’s there!
Barbara Lasek is this year’s Irish Woman of the Year. Barbara has served as President & Director of our Assn. She has been involved in almost every endeavor the club has. She Chairs the Boscov’s Charity Night & developed our relationship with Wreaths Across America where wreaths are placed on Veterans graves at Christmas. Barbara is also on the Scholastic Award Committee and represented our association by speaking in a video accepting the Frank G Pelzman Community Service Award.
Barbara is a member of Don Bosco Columbiettes for 39 years. She has served the Columbiettes on every level and currently holds the Office of President of her Auxiliary; she also served as South East Chapter President & was elected twice as New Jersey State President. She also served the Supreme Council Columbiettes as a Supreme Director for 6 years & currently serves as a District Deputy for New Jersey State Council as well as a Territorial Deputy to Wisconsin for the Supreme Council. She is a Eucharist Minister & serves the homebound for St. Anthony of Padua Church. She is married to William, has a son William, a Daughter –in –law Jennifer and one beautiful and energetic granddaughter Lilyanna. Barbara graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1973 and Middlesex County College in 1978 with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management.
Terence Patrick Sharkey, our Irish Man of the Year, resides in Colonia and is a life long resident of Woodbridge Township. As a member of our Association Terry has been active in Coin Collecting, Tooling Around Town, Charlie Shaughnessy Park Clean-up, Veteran activities, and organizing road marshals for the Parade.
Terry is Chairman of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee since 1998 & is a long-time member of the Township Planning Board (Vice Chair). He was the recipient of the Woodbridge Township 350th Sesquarcentennial Anniversary “Key to the Township Award” that recognized Woodbridge Township citizens who embody the best qualities of leadership, public service, and civic involvement. Terry was named Citizen-Of- the-Year by the Woodbridge Elks Lodge #2116 and the Elks District Americanism Committee for Community Involvement and Service & was Grand Marshal of the 2015 Woodbridge Christmas Parade. He and his wife Peggy have been married 47 years. They have two married sons, Brian and Kevin; daughters-in-law Shannon and Nicole; and 5 grandchildren, Jack, Maeve, Owen, Clementine, and Daisy. Terry has an undergraduate degree from Montclair State College and a graduate degree from St. John’s University. He retired after 41 years with the U.S. Dept. of HHS, Office of Inspector General.
Grace Fischer is our Miss American Irish. She is a senior at Roselle Catholic HS with a career GPA of 3.7 in her honors / AP classes. Grace is a member of Student Council, the National Honor Society, Glee Club, Drama Club, Peer Leadership Program, Retreat Team and Campus Ministry as well as manager of the boys’ volleyball team. Grace is also a 4 yr member of RC’s girls’ volleyball team & she recently earned the 1,000th dig of her Varsity career and received the honor of being named RC’s 2-time MVP for girls’ volleyball, as well as making the first team all-division and third team all-county for the second straight year. Grace remains devoted to helping her church and community. She is a lector at St James the Apostle Church & volunteers nightly at the annual parish festival and helps sort food drives for the hungry as well as prepare / serve meals to the homeless. Grace is reviewing acceptances from several universities & will major in business.
Erin Sinatra is a senior at JFK Memorial HS. Activities include the National Honor Society, Key Club, American Cancer Society, Heroes & Cool Kids & has participated in production of Peter Pan. She is a 4-year starting Varsity softball pitcher, MVP & has stuck out over 2 hundred batters. She volunteered to train the Iselin MS softball team & in her Junior year was the starting right-back for the Varsity soccer team. Erin is an Altar Server at Saint Andrew’s, helps make centerpieces for their Thanksgiving Dinner, bakes cakes for Bingo Night & collects food for St James Food Pantry. Erin also has made blankets for the animal shelter, Walks for Breast Cancer, Op Christmas Child, Breakfast with Santa, making cards for Vets & JFK’s Project Graduation Gift Auction. For our Assn she is a Parade Marshal & worked at the Joe Ward Pancake Breakfast.
The Woodbridge American Irish Association addresses the social concerns of the community while keeping its Irish heritage alive. We meet monthly, help our neighbors in need, sponsor the Justin McCarthy Scholastic Award, maintain the Charlie Shaughnessy Park, visit our Menlo Park Veterans Home, tool around town etc.
We are most known for organizing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our Parade Chairwoman is Maureen Kelly-Jurgens. Maureen & her husband Daniel have 2 children Danielle & Casey, a son-in-law Denis Lipari & two grandchildren Violet & Milo who are the light of Maureen’s life. “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate with us along the parade route. Remember everyone is Irish at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Wishin’ you a pot o’ gold … And all the joy your heart can hold”, said the Chairwoman.
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 8th at 1:30 p.m. It steps off at Woodbridge High School. Proceeds down Freeman St. to Linden Ave to Green St to Amboy Ave to Main St & ends at Town Hall.
