MARCH MARCH 15 TH 15 TH 2025 2025 ST.PATRI CK’SDAY ST.PATRI CK’SDAY Y
Photos by Steve Ellmore
UNION — Marc Dowling was born and raised in Westfield. He is the youngest of five – Kevin Jr., Todd, Tara, Timothy –children of Kevin Dowling and Maryann Pisciotta Dowling, and graduated from Westfield High School in 2005. His heritage is deeply rooted in Irish tradition with ancestral ties to Counties Cork, Laois, and Tyrone.
Dowling is co-owner of Dowling’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Roselle Park, which he opened in 2015 with his business partner, Russ Olden. The pub is a testament to Dowling’s dedication to both his family’s legacy and commitment to bringing a taste of Irish culture to the community. Dowling’s great-grandfather founded the Joseph Nugent Sr. Association, the oldest independent Irish-American organization in New Jersey.
In 1928, his great-grandparents operated the Highway Inn in Elizabeth, which later became Nugent’s Tavern after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. This legacy of community involvement continues today, as Dowling serves as the vice president of the Joseph Nugent Sr. Association and as an executive board member of the Union County Celtic Festival.
Dowling’s dedication to community involvement extends beyond his professional roles. He has been an active participant in numerous local events, especially fundraising initiatives that benefit both
the community and local Police Benevolent Associations. Whether supporting charity fundraisers, school dine-todonates, organizing and participating in
local golf outings and other events, Dowling remains a strong advocate for giving back to the community.
In 2021, Dowling’s Irish Pub faced sig-
nificant challenges when the business had to close due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Ida, just days before its sixyear anniversary. The pub triumphantly celebrated its grand re-opening in May 2024, marking a new chapter for the beloved establishment.
Dowling met his wife, Tara, at Hershey’s Deli in Westfield. A few years later, the pair reconnected while working together at Molly Maguire’s in Clark. The couple married in 2019 and reside in Colonia with their furbaby, Willow, and welcomed their first child, Emilia Rose, this past summer.
Parade route details
The 2025 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off in Union on Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. Preliminary presentations will begin at noon at the main reviewing stand.
The parade starts on Morris Avenue, between Commerce and Jeanette avenues, proceeding east to the reviewing stand at Stuyvesant Avenue and ending at Roosevelt Avenue. Parade-goers can also hear information about participants and the parade’s history at the midway reviewing stand at Morris and Caldwell Avenues.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Thornstick Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Elizabeth.
Gabby Sully to be 2025 parade’s general chairperson
UNION — Gabby Sully was born in Livingston to Gene and Trish Sully and grew up in both Union and Cranford. Her Irish roots trace back on her paternal grandmother’s side to Ballintober, County Roscommon and County Cork.
Sully attended elementary school in Union and graduated from Cranford Senior High School in 2013. She then received her associate’s degree in communications from Union County College in 2015, bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in Irish Studies from Hofstra University in 2017 and master’s degree in global sports business from Rutgers University in 2019.
Currently, Sully serves as the social media and marketing specialist for Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP in Newark. She was previously the manager of social and digital content with the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, affiliated with the National Hockey League.
Sully has been actively involved in the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade since her early years, starting with having the Parade Committee banner and marching with Girl Scout troops. She served as adjutant for the parade in 2023 and 2024. Her father, Gene, has served as both adjutant in 2004 and general chairman in 2007 and 2008; her step-mother, Debbie, has also served as general chairwoman in 2009 and adjutant in 2017. She is a member of the Nugents Association.
Sully currently resides in Cranford with her boyfriend, Peter.
James Holmes to serve as 2025 parade’s adjutant
UNION — James Holmes was born in Livingston and raised in Union to John and Kathleen Holmes. As the oldest of three children, he grew up alongside his siblings, Rory and Damian. His family has deep Irish roots, with his paternal grandparents hailing from Ballymackeehola, County Mayo and New Quay, County Clare, while his maternal grandparents trace their ancestry to Rathmullan, County Donegal and Shercock, County Cavan. This rich heritage has played a significant role in shaping his values, work ethic and community involvement.
Holmes attended elementary school in Union and graduated from Union High School in 2012. During his time at UHS, Holmes was a member of the football, baseball and wrestling teams.
After high school, Holmes dedicat-
ed himself to a career in public service. He followed in his fathers footsteps and became a mechanic with the township of Union Fire Department. In 2019, he became a firefighter and inspector with the department. Holmes is committed to ensure the safety of his community by responding to emergencies, conducting inspections, and working alongside his colleague to prevent and mitigate the effects of fires and other hazards.
Holmes became involved with the parade at a young age as a member of St. Patrick’s Honor Guard. His mother, Kathleen, has served as both adjutant in 2015 and general chairwoman in 2018. He is also a member of the Nugents Association.
In his spare time, Holmes enjoys taking motorcycle trips up to the Catskills with his dad and brothers.
• Lawn Maintenance • Power washing and gutter cleaning • Mulching • Yard Grading • Drainage
• Lawn Maintenance • Power washing and gutter cleaning • Mulching • Yard Grading • Drainage
• Spring and Fall Clean Ups
• Spring and Fall Clean Ups
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• Trimming of all Shrubbery • Planting • Seeding and Sod
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• Aeration and Dethatching • Landscape Design • Residential Snow Removal and Much More...
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Welcome to Schmalz’s European Provisions. Since 1972, our family owned and operated company has been providing old fashioned European cuisine for the modern American lifestyle.
When founders Otto and Amanda Schmalz immigrated to America in 1957, they missed the traditional food of their homeland. This inspired them to recreate those old world flavors in America. Using skills he honed in Bavaria, Otto began to create traditional provisions. He slowly expanded his business to include products from many regions of Europe and Asia.
At Schmalz’s, you can recall your European culinary traditions, or open your taste buds to new experiences.
