Grand Marshals | Somerville St. Patrick's Parade

Marty Collins
2025 Grand Marshal

Martin (Marty) Collins, a distinguished ninety-year-old resident of Somerset, New Jersey, has lived a life deeply rooted in love, faith, and his Irish cultural heritage. Born to Irish immigrants, John and Monica Collins, Marty’s upbringing was profoundly shaped by his parents’ rich cultural background and Catholic values. Their journey from Ireland to America instilled in him a deep appreciation for Irish traditions and the Catholic faith.
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Marty’s life is marked by his commitment to both family and community. He enjoyed a loving and devoted 50-year marriage with his wife, Nancy. Their enduring partnership exemplified mutual support and a shared commitment to family, faith and community. Together, they raised five children, instilling in them a profound respect for their Irish heritage and Catholic traditions.
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One of the most significant aspects of Marty’s life is the memory of his son John, a dedicated New York City Firefighter who tragically lost his life in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Marty’s strength and resilience in facing this tremendous loss reflects his unwavering faith and deep love for his family. John’s memory remains a cherished part of their family’s legacy.
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Marty’s dedication to his faith and community has been widely recognized. In 2009, he was honored by the Diocese of Metuchen for his outstanding service and commitment to Catholic education, reflecting his lifelong dedication to supporting and promoting Catholic values and schooling. He also received the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Shamrock Award for Outstanding Service in 1998, highlighting his significant contributions to preserving and promoting Irish culture. Additionally, Marty has been a long-term member of the Somerville Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), demonstrating his active involvement in and dedication to the Irish-American community. Marty also was on the Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade committee for numerous years leading the marketing efforts to solicit sponsors and advertisers to make this parade possible.
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Today, Marty Collins is celebrated for his enduring impact on his family, faith, and community. His legacy is one of love, devotion, and a steadfast commitment to the cultural and spiritual principles that have guided his life.

Since her birth, Leigh has been a lifelong participant in all things Somerville. Service to the community was a family tradition, and Leigh never shied away from any task that would help the common good. After going to college she was chosen as the youngest Municipal Chairperson, served on the SHS Youth Advisory Committee to the Mayor, and participated as a delegate to elected officials in Washington Workshops in DC.Leigh is the daughter of Barbara Higgins McLachlan from Belle Mead. Her 8 great grandfather, Richard Higgins came to Barnstable, MA, United States in 1632 and moved on to have 10 children! They hailed from Leinster and East Tipperary.Leigh majored in business at Centenary College and joined the family business, Mclachlan, Inc.Travel - Real Estate & Insurance. She took advantage of many great opportunities to travel, to learn different cultures and be prepared to send people all over the world.Once she returned to the family business she set her sights on becoming a licensed real estate agent and once attaining that license, she found she loved helping people find their 'forever' home. Multi-faceted, she has listed and sold land, commercial properties, retail properties, multi-family properties, and has managed properties for absent landlords since the 80's. She is currently the owner of Mclachlan Realtors.Leigh is happy spending time with family, her husband Larry, her brother Morgan, 2 grandchildren, 2 nephews, 2 great-nieces, 1 great-nephew and Katie (her beloved dog.)Leigh is always willing to lend a helping hand to all who need her.

Ed was born in Co Westmeath, Ireland in 1934. He is the oldest of 6 (4 Boys & 2 Girls). Raised mainly in Co. Offaly as a farmer’s son, he finished school at an early age. Education was put on hold to assist with the responsibilities with the farm, especially during the harvest since most of the activities were done by hand. As a youth growing up he was into bicycle racing, cross country running and hurled for the Co. Offaly minor hurling team. In 1951, he got a job in the construction trade and served his apprenticeship as a plasterer. During the TB epidemic during the 1950s in Ireland, Ed’s mother died of TB, and one of his sisters spent 4 years in hospital recovering. In 1954, at the age of 20, Ed boarded the SS United States in Cobh Harbor, Co Cork, taking the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean that many Irish immigrants had taken previously.When Ed arrived in America, he found a job in construction in the Princeton area. Life was about working and enjoying the weekends at the Dance Halls in New York City, until he was drafted to serve in the United States Army. Ed served with the 31st Infantry, 7th Division in Korea along the 38 Parallel for 16 months. When he returned from Service, he picked up right where he had left off, working in construction as a mason and boilermaker, which lasted 40 years until he retired.After retirement, Ed spent his time volunteering, which he found very rewarding. Ed spent time volunteering with Hospice, visiting those that are ill and homebound throughout the Central Jersey area. He also provided assistance as a Hot Line volunteer for suicide depression in Mercer County. He also visited those who were Shut-in, and unable to attend Mass. For several years, Ed organized a golf outing in Lawrenceville to raise funds for children in Burma, which provided stent operations and funded epileptic operations, along with medicine and medical equipment.He likes a round of golf or a good card game and even a cigar once in a while. Ed says he, his wife and family have so much to be thankful to God for, as they have been blessed with good health, and great friends.

The Somerville Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee announced today that Colonel Patrick J. Callahan has been named the 2022 Grand Marshal for its 29th Annual Saint Patrick’s Parade to be held Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Downtown Somerville with step off at 1:30 PM.Colonel Patrick J. Callahan was sworn in by Governor Chris Christie as the 14th Colonel and Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police on October 31, 2017.Colonel Callahan’s leadership and passion for service through the various organizations, mission work and volunteer projects he participates in makes him a wonderful addition to the Grand Marshals of Somerville’s Saint Patrick’s Parade.Colonel Callahan has served more than 27 years with the New Jersey State Police. He resides in Warren County with his wife Linda, two sons and two daughters.We are extremely honored to have Colonel Patrick J. Callahan as the 2022 Grand Marshal of the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Parade.

Ken Greig has been named Grand Marshal of the Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade is an annual tradition presented by the Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee and is scheduled for Sunday March 15, 2020.Ken is a Somerville native, son of the late William and Joan Greig who were both born in Brooklyn, New York. He is the youngest of seven children, proud uncle to fifteen nieces and nephews and three great nieces and one great nephew.He attended Immaculate Conception School and continued High School at Immaculata. School activities included band and the golf team. After graduation, Ken continued his studies at Somerset County College (RVCC) with a focus on Computer Sciences and Finance.Ken is employed with DocuXcel/J&J Raritan in Site Services but it is his outside hobbies and activities for which he is known as the “Voice of Somerville.” Since 1989 Ken has served as the PA Voice of Immaculata High School Football and Basketball and is the Somerville High School Football announcer since 2013. In addition to the sports announcing, Ken also announces for the Somerville High School Marching Bands Festival, Somerville Winter Guard Home Show and Fashion and Award shows for Immaculata.Other volunteer activities include: active member of the Immaculate Conception Church (Lector, Eucharistic Minister and member of various teams), board member of IHS Alumni Association, Somerset AOH member and board member of the Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

James (Jazzer) Walsh was born and raised in Mahanoy Plane, PA. He is the son of James and Sarah (Devitt) Walsh. His paternal grandfather came from Lawerencetown, County Galway, Ireland. Jim is married to the love of his life, Patricia (nee Bevan) for 55 years. They are the proud parents of their daughter Kim who is married to John McCormick and their son Jim who is married to Beth Scozzafava. They are the loving grandparents of Grainne, Tiarnan, Deidre, Jimmy and Emily.Jim worked in his father’s grocery store after graduation from High School. He then joined the U.S. army in 1960 and trained in Fort Dix, N.J. and Fort Benning, GA. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry in Bamberg, Germany, where he spent two years. He attained the rank of SP4 (Specialist 4th Class). He completed his service in 1967.‍Jim came to New Jersey in 1963. He worked for Johns Manville for 17 years, Egan Machinery for 3 years, and Verizon for 25 years. He attended Somerset County Tech for 4 years where he earned his certification for electricity and HVAC trades.Jim has been a member of the AOH (St. Patrick’s Division) from its early days and he has participated in many of its functions. He served on the Executive Board, Thanksgiving food drive and ran the AOH picnic for 3 years when the picnic had 500 to 600 in attendance. He received the “Outstanding Service Award” in 2003. He is a life member of the American Legion and the Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge 2119. He was a member of Christ the King parish for many years where his was one of the first Eucharistic Ministers. Jim ran the church car raffle for 3 years. He was a Hillsborough little league coach for years. He is now a member of Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NJ.Jim is now retired and he loves spending time with family and friends and following the Giants and the Mets!!!

Finbarr Kirby was born and raised in Cork City, Ireland. He is the second oldest of six boys. Finbarr is married to Anne (nee McCarthy), where they have just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of four boys; Derek and his wife Mary, Alan and his wife Cindy, Barry and his fiancé Lisa, and Paul. They are also the loving grandparents of Megan, Michael, and Jenna.During his first years in America, Finbarr attended activities sponsored by various Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Divisions. Finbarr then joined his local Division, Saint Patrick Division 1 of Somerset County. Finbarr has been a proud and active member for over 25 years. During his membership, he served on the Executive Board for 8 years which included a two year term as Division President. He also was the chairman of the Dinner Dance Committee which had attendances exceeding 400. Finbarr has represented his Division at countless New Jersey State Conventions, and at National Conventions in New Orleans, Saint Louis, and Atlantic City.Finbarr and his family are supporters and active members of the AOH & Ladies Ancient of Hibernians (LAOH). Finbarr is still active assisting in the Annual Family Picnic, Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, and will also be representing his Division at the AOH National Convention in Louisville later this year. Finbarr’s sons are “Keeping the Tradition Alive” as members and supporters of their local AOH Division, Saint Patrick Division 1, Somerset County, NJ. Finbarr is a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville and also a member of the Somerville Elks Lodge #1068. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, traveling, and enjoys spending time with family & friends.

Jack, like his wife Gwen, is a native of Dublin. A graduate of Synge Street CBS, he was active in Irish railfan circles and also served for nine years in An , the Irish Army Reserve Force, resigning his Lieutenant’s commission when relocating to the US.He spent seven years with the American Automobile Association’s World Wide Travel Department before moving to Avis Rent a Car System, retiring in 1997 as Sales Administration manager for the North East Region.Jack has just completed a two year term as President of the St. Patrick Division One, Somerset County of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and has been awarded the Division’s 2017 Hibernian of the Year, an award of which he is very proud.Jack is a regular lector and occasional usher for his parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Skillman, NJ.Some of Jack’s other activities include being an active railfan – he is a NORAC qualified trainman at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton and is also active in dog show circles. Jack and his wife Gwen owned, co-owned and showed top winning Basset Hounds for over thirty years but now have Border Terriers. A vice president of both the Garden State All Terrier Club and the Berkshire Valley Basset Hound Club, he’s a member of Plainfield Kennel Club and also Blennerhassett Kennel Club for which club he is the AKC Delegate.‍Jack is very grateful for the honor bestowed on him by the Parade Committee and looks forward, along with Gwen, to the parade on Sunday March 12.

Willie is an Irish immigrant from Cabra West, Dublin and is the youngest of 8 children – 7 boys and 1 girl. Willie’s mother was Lily McDonald Lynch, who was often called “Lily Mac” and raised the children on her own. He and his Mum always had a close bond and she supported him as he pursued his dream of being a musician.Bev and Willie had three kids, lived in Roselle Park and then moved to Whitehouse Station, NJ in 1982. There they had a fourth child and raised their family. Willie and Bev’s children are Liam, Marybeth, Katie and Brian. Liam, who is in the FDNY, and his wife, Kristin, have two children named Liam and Madeline. Katie and her husband, James, have two little girls named Lily and Grace. Willie lives very simply for his family, friends and to play music.The AOH Committee unanimously voted for Willie to be the Grand Marshall for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Upon hearing the news, Willie was surprised and didn’t know what to say. He is always playing his music in the background while others are honored. He just can’t believe he was picked!Willie’s love of music and people as well as his dedication to “keeping the Irish tradition alive in America” remains his motivation to play music 40+ years later! He is still having a ball and hopes you and your families are as well! When on stage, Willie will often say “we will all be dead long enough” as he encourages his fans to kick back and have fun! So after the parade celebration you are invited to join the Willie Lynch Band at Willie McBride’s in Branchburg, NJ. Willie and the band hope to see you there on the dance floor as the celebration continues! God Bless.