Grand Marshal and Deputy Grand Marshal of the 2004 -Newark Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Announced

Grand Marshal and Deputy Grand Marshal of the 2004

Newark Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Announced

Newark, NJ – January 25, 2004 - General Chairman Jere E. Cole, Jr. of West Caldwell, NJ and the Newark Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee announced the selection of a Grand Marshal and Deputy Grand Marshal to lead their 69^th Annual Parade on March 21, 2004. The parade will begin promptly at 1:00PM.

The Grand Marshal of the 2004 parade will be Edward R. Brannigan of Old Bridge, NJ. He was born and raised in the Vailsburg section of Newark. Brannigan currently serves as the President of the Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey State Lodge. He has served in several positions with both the State and National Fraternal Order of Police Lodges. His involvement with the F.O.P. began with Newark Lodge #11, where he was active for nearly twenty years.

Brannigan was a detective with the Newark Police Department for 31 years. He was the recipient several duty awards, including five Class B awards, Medal of Merit and the F.O.P. Medal of Valor.

He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1867-1873. During that time, he spent one year in active duty with Naval Support Activity in DaNang Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He has received numerous military commendations, including the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon and the Republic of Viet Nam Meritorious Unit Citation with Gallantry Cross & Palm.

He is a member of the American Legion, Post 408 and is a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1439. He is also a member of the NSA DaNang Veterans Association. Brannigan is active in several Irish-American organizations, including the Essex County Emerald Society and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Old Bridge, NJ. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4066 in Maplewood, NJ as well as the

New Jersey Retired Police & Fireman’s Association. He also plays in the Tri-County Golf League.

Brannigan is currently employed as a Law Enforcement Labor Consultant for the law firm of Fusco & Macaluso in Passaic, NJ. Him and his wife Maureen are the proud parents of two daughters, Eileen and Katelyn.

Kasey Critchley was chosen to be this year’s Deputy Grand Marshal. She was born in Newark and raised in Bloomfield, where she continues to reside. She is the second of eight children of Joe and Dorothy Critchley of Newark, Bloomfield and now Roseland, NJ.

Critchley attended St. Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield and East Orange Catholic High School. She earned her certification as a CDA/RDA from the County College of Morris and worked in the dental field for 20 years. She later switched professions, earning her real estate and becoming a full time real estate broker. She opened her own business, Pinnacle Rental Realty, Inc., in 1899. Pinnacle Rental Realty, Inc., based in Bloomfield, specializes in real estate sales and rentals. Critchley employs a staff of 17 people, including 15 real estate agents.

The Deputy Grand Marshal is the 2004 Executive Director of the Board of Realtors and the Zone Chairman of the Bloomfield Lion’s Club. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, she served as the Treasurer of the Lion’s Club. Critchley is a member of the Women of Irish Heritage and a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield.

Critchley traces her Irish roots to County Donegal, County Cavan and County Meath. Critchley is a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland.

This year marks Cole’s second year serving as General Chairman. Cole is active in several Irish organizations throughout NJ. He is currently the Treasurer of the New Jersey State Ancient Order of Hibernians Board. Chairman Cole is a Detective with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Cole and his wife Margie are the proud parents of two daughters, Dawn and Kelly.

The parade will assemble at Washington Street and Central Avenue. The parade route will run east on Central Avenue, then south on Broad Street, past Newark City Hall, and ending at Court Street. There will be two reviewing stands, one located at the corner of Broad Street and New Street and the second located at Newark City Hall.

For more information about the 2003 Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade please call