November 9, 2019, ROBBINSVILLE–The Robbinsville Irish Heritage Association announced the Irish Person of the Year and the Grand Marshal for the 11th Annual Robbinsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade for March 21, 2020.
Left to right: NJ Assembly Person Daniel Benson, Mr. John Ward Irish Person of the Year, Police Chief Chris Nitti representing the Robbinsville PD as Grand Marshal, and NJ Assembly Person Wayne DeAngelo. Photo by: Dennis Symons, Jr.
Irish Person of the Year
The Irish Person of the Year is Mr. John Ward. After graduating from the Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey), he taught in the East Windsor Regional School District from 1969-2008 as a science teacher and special education teacher and became the science supervisor, assistant principal, and principal of Highstown High School. Currently, Mr Ward volunteers as the Executive Director of the Robbinsville Meals on Wheels and serves on the Robbinsville Township Senior Advisory Committee. He also volunteers at RWJUHH as a Patient Relations representative and is on the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Recently, Mr. Ward was the 2018 Rotary Club of Robbinsville-Hamilton Vern Applegate Community Service Award.
Mr. John Ward Irish Person of the Year speaks of how his family’s history in the township. Photo by: Dennis Symons, Jr.
2020 St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal
The 2020 Parade Grand Marshal is the Robbinsville Township Police Department. Steeped in history while featuring a young, energetic, proactive and genuinely caring contingent of officers, dispatchers and support staff, the Robbinsville Township Police Department continues to make an indelible mark on the community.
With 29 officers, seven dispatchers, a discovery clerk and two of the most highly-trained K9 officers in the region, the current configuration of the RTPD began in 1972 with just a few part-time constables in town of only 1,500. Since transitioning into a full-time department in 1981, the RTPD has helped set the standard for policing in Mercer County through a historically low crime rate and its implementation of community-based initiatives to help those in need. With programs designed to both educate and safeguard its citizens, the Robbinsville Township Police Department promotes honest and open communication to help carry out the day-to-day operations of the department.
The Robbinsville Township 11th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on March 21, 2020. With an Irish Mass at St. Greg’s Catholic Church at 8:45 a.m., Mustering at 9:45 a.m., Opening Ceremonies at 11:30 a.m., and the parade begins at 12 p.m.