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FEBRUARY 2026
VOL. 37 NO. 06
Mayor to be feted at Mardi Gras Gala Mayor John V. Kelly III will be honored at Holy Family Church's annual Mardi Gras Gala Dinner on Feb. 17, at Nanina's in the Park. “He was sent on deployment and we thought it would be nice to acknowledge him for that and for all he is doing in town,” said the Rev. Joseph Ferraro, pastor of the church. Kelly has just returned from a six month deployment to Iraq where he served with the Army National Guard. The event celebrating Mardi Gras, will feature dinner, music, auctions, and highlight Kelly's focus on community revitalization and his background as a lawyer and National Guard member. This will be the eighth Mardia Gras event for the church. Previous honorees include Sister Angelina of the Religious Teachers Filippini, Anthony and Mickey Biondi of the Biondi Funeral Home and Sister Romilda Chiga, an educator and missionary. Kelly did not return calls seeking comment but the township put out a statement announcing that he had returned. “I would like to thank the entire community for their prayers and patience during my deployment, and the many care packages sent to me and to my unit,” Kelly said in the statment. “I also want to thank Commissioners (Alphones) Petracco, (Joseph) Scarpelli, (Mauro) Tucci, and Deputy Mayor (Thomas) Evans and their staff for their support during this time. I want to especially thank the staff of the department of Public Affairs and Health, who did not miss a beat in my absence, and continued to deliver the best services possible for the community. “I was touched by all the letters I received from the entire school at Good Shepherd Academy and the students at Yantacaw school. They brightened not only my day, but those that I served with as well. I could not have done my mission without your support and the support of my family, especially my wife and parents. “It was an honor to serve my country,
were his parents. He studied computer science at Georgia Tech, where he received a bachelor of science degree. Kelly also graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a member of the Legislative Law Journal, secretary of the student government, and recipient of the Raymond Del Tufo Constitutional Law Award for earning the highest grade in his studies on Constitutional law. After law school, Kelly clerked in Essex County for Judge Christine Farrington before going into private practice. In the township, Kelly served on the board of Nutley Family Service Bureau, Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee, St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, and John V. Kelly Memorial Foundation. He is a member of Nutley UNICO, Nutley Irish American Alliance, and former member of the Nutley Rotary. Kelly’s military service has included Photo Courtesy Nutley Twp. being deployed to the Middle East as well as to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Mayor John V. Kelly III, who Maria. During his most recent deployrecently returned to the townment, he served as his unit commander's ship after being deployed for six legal advisor. months, will be honored at Holy When the township announced he was Family Church's annual Mardi being deployed several of his fellow comGras Gala Dinner. missioner expressed their admiration for especially alongside the professional and his service. honorable men and women with whom I "We are so very proud of our mayor, had the privilege of serving with every U.S. Army Maj. John Kelly as he deploys day, many of whom are still in harm's with the New Jersey Army National Guard way. I will continue to pray for them and in support of Combined Joint Task Forcetheir families (no service member sacri- Operation Inherent Resolve," said Comfices alone) until all deployed service missioner Alphonse Petracco, director of members are home where they belong.” public safety. In honor of the Mayor’s service, the “I am honored to be able to serve my township unveiled a “Welcome Home” country,” Kelly said at the time, “and I am banner on Franklin Avenue between grateful that with the support of my fellow Church and Chestnut Streets. Board of Commissioners, our Township “I'm looking forward to seeing and government and I will continue to functhanking everyone in person,” Kelly said. tion as we always have.” Kelly is currently serving his second The 8th Annual Gala Dinner is schedterm on the Board of Commissioners and uled to start at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17 at Nanicurrently serves as mayor and director of na's in the Park. Tickets are available at public affairs. https://holyfamilynutley.org. He was born and raised in Nutley as
Matthew De Fede
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