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2012 Grand Marshal Announcement
Yesterday, at their annual fundraiser and gala, the Somerville Saint Patrick's Parade Committee announced that the grand marshal for the 2012 parade would be Kevin Donovan.
In front of over 150 family, friends & parade supporters, Kevin graciously accepted the honor. This is the parade's 21st consecutive year of celebrating Irish culture and honoring it's local citizens with the title. As the band Squad 5 played and people celebrated the opportunity to support their local parade, many of the dignitaries present congratulated the grand marshal on the well deserved honor.
The event was held at the Somerville Elks and is in its 4th year. In addition to the AOH, American Legion and Somerset Medical Center; the treasurer, Sean Decker, announced three new key sponsors for the parade Willie McBride's Irish Pub and Restaurant, Houlihan's Bar and Grill and Saker Shop Rite. He reinforced that all proceeds from the event, advertisements and sponsorships go towards paying for the parade and that they are the sole source of funding for our free family oriented event.
Larry Doyle, a past grand marshal introduced the new grand marshal saying that he was trully deserving of the honor. As part of his acceptance speech Kevin, with his wife Alicia at his side, stated that the best part of being chosen as Grand Marshal is the elite group of people that he now is a part of.
Kevin Donovan was born to John Joseph Dono- van and Claire (McEvoy) Donovan in 1949. His Irish roots trace back to counties Cork and Kilkenny. He has two brothers John "Jay" and Brian. He married his wife Alicia Carol (Bolton) Donovan in 1980 and had two sons Dennis and Brendan.
Kevin distinguished himself as a History teacher at Middlesex High School for 25 years before going on to become the Director of Recreation in Piscataway until he retired in 2010.
- While a teacher in Middlesex he received the NJ Governor's Teachers Recognition Award
- while director of Piscataway Recreation, the department was recognized by Sports Illustrated as having the #1 recreation and parks program in NJ in 2001.
- He was president of the Middlesex Education Association from 1983 - 1988 and continued on as its VP until 1993.
- He has coached JV and Varsity Baseball, Pop Warner Football for 13 years,
and Little League and American Legion Baseball for 9 years. - Kevin was inducted into the Piscataway High School Wall of Fame in 1998.
- He has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for many years.
- He has been member of the Somerville Saint Patrick's Parade Committee since 2004.
- He has served as an usher at the annual AOH mass.
- He serves as the canopy bearer at the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament.
It is for his lifetime of service to young people in education and recreation and promotion of his Irish culture that the parade committee asks that you join them in congratulating Kevin Donovan as our 2012 Grand Marshal of the Somerville Saint Patrick's Parade.
Remember our parade is self-funding.
All proceeds go to ensure a high quality parade for your family
Contact Brendan Nally for more information(908) 313-5481