When Fanwood resident David Bell kicks off the 15th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday as its Grand Marshal, he will do so nearly 50 years to the day after his grandfather, George Bell, served as Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade. But continuing a family legacy and representing Fanwood are only two of the many reasons that Bell will be beaming with pride as he leads the parade along a 1.5-mile walk through the streets of Union. Bell, a New Jersey State Police detective sergeant for the past 22 years, will be walking at the head of a large contingent of state troopers.
“I am a proud representative of my fellow troopers at the parade,” Bell said. “They, too, feel the honor. We will have the largest contingency of troopers at the parade yet.”
This year’s parade is dedicated to the New Jersey State Police, which is celebrating its 90thanniversary. The event is also dedicated to the memory of Trooper Tommy Hanratty, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop on Route 78 in Union County in April 1992.
Bell was a childhood friend of Hanratty, whom he described as “like a brother to me.” He said he named his first son after the fallen trooper.
“Tommy fought to achieve the job of trooper for the sole purpose of helping people. He sacrificed his life doing this,” Bell said. “I am so proud of the parade for recognizing and honoring his life.”
Bell said he was stunned to be selected as Grand Marshal of what has become the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Jersey. “When my grandfather was Grand Marshal, it was, basically, the only parade in the State of New Jersey at the time,” he said.”
Bell grew up in Elizabeth, but his family traces its roots to Counties Mayo and Roscommon in western Ireland. He said he has been of a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (FSOSP) for 20 years.
“The FSOSP are a group of Irishmen joined from all walks of life and banded together for the betterment of Union County youth and families in need of aid,” Bell explained. “Our President is Robert Coloney, president of the Center for Hope Hospice. This should give you an indication of the men that represent this fine organization.”
Bell will be joined in the parade by numerous members of his family, including his wife, Kathie, and his children: Tommy, a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Metuchen, Jenny, a junior at Union Catholic High School, and Ryan, an eighth-grader at St. Agnes Grammar School in Clark.
“Aside from my children being born, this is one of the truly great honors of my life. I am proud and humbled to lead the tribute to St. Patrick here in Union County,” Bell said.
The day starts with a Thornstick Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Elizabeth, followed by a welcoming reception. The celebration starts at noon with pre-parade festivities at Morris and Suyvesant Avenues in Union, proceeded by the start of the parade at 1 p.m. sharp.
The parade will begin at Morris Avenue, then proceed east along Morris Avenue and end at Roosevelt Avenue. For more information about the parade and the day’s events,
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