Union St. Patrick's Day Parade Guide

Robert Wade is named 2024 grand marshal

Born in Bayonne and raised in Roselle, Robert Wade is the oldest of eight children of Robert F. and Joan V. Wade. His Irish roots include Cos. Cork, Dublin and Donegal, and his extended family still owns and farms the land where his grandmother was born in West Cork. Wade also has established his own roots on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry.

He graduated in 1970 from Saint Joseph the Carpenter Grammar School and in 1974 from Roselle Catholic High School, later earning a bachelor’s degree in 1979 from Kean University, and he has a management certificate from University of California – Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a corporate community relations certificate from Boston College.

The proud father of Laurie, Kara and Eric, Wade and his wife, Mary, have three grandchildren and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2023.

Wade began a journalism career with the Elizabeth radio station WJDM during high school and college and also served as general manager of Kean University’s radio station, helping obtain the college’s broadcast license. He worked for The Associated Press as New

Jersey broadcast editor and Atlantic City correspondent, and later had state news editor roles in New Jersey and Tennessee. He covered the 1988 Olympics in Seoul for The AP. Wade later worked for Beneficial Corporation in Peapack, before joining audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP, from which he retired in 2020 as executive director, corporate communications.

Wade, his father, a brother and three sisters have played with the award-winning Saint Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band and he has served in a variety of board leadership roles with the band, which has marched in every Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

A member of the Nugent’s Association and the Elizabeth Knights of Columbus Council 253, Wade also belongs to the Essex County Shillelagh Club in West Orange. He has been honored for his work in the Irish community by the Nugent’s Association, the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in Union County. He also serves on a board for a youngster’s communications network and volunteers for a tourism group in Co. Kerry, Ireland.

Photo Courtesy of Gabby Sully

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Michael Capko was born in Elizabeth to Harry Capko and Laura Masterson, and grew up in Roselle Park. His Irish roots trace back on his father’s side to Ballybay in County Monaghan.

Michael attended elementary school in Roselle Park and graduated from Roselle Park High School in 2003. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Kean University in 2011.

With a drive to help others, Capko has focused his professional career on working in community-based organizations in Union and Ocean Counties. He is currently a senior manager at RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. In this role, he leads a team of public health professionals working toward eliminating health disparities, reducing substance use and advocating for recovery support services.

Capko became involved in the parade as a member of the adjutant staff in 2007 with his father, Harry. His father went on to serve as adjutant in 2013 and general chairperson in 2017. He is also a member of the Irish American Society of Union.

Capko carries on a long-standing tradition of the Capko family’s involvement in the local Irish community, dating back to his grandfather proudly representing his Irish heritage in the Newark Parade as far

back as the 1960s.

He currently resides in Cranford with his girlfriend, Meaghan, and their cats, Nico and Lacey. Capko is a proud New Jersey Devils season ticket holder. In his spare time outside of attending Devils games, he enjoys going to concerts and being down the shore on his father’s boat.

Photo Courtesy of Gabby Sully

Photos by Steve Ellmore

The 2024 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade route

The 2024 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on Saturday, March 9. The parade route is 1.1 miles down Morris Avenue to Stuyvesant Avenue in Union.

To march in the parade, visit bit.ly/UCParade24 or email gabbysully15@gmail.com.

• 9 a.m. — The Thornstick Mass will start the day, and be hosted in conjunction with the Elizabeth Ancient Order of Hibernians at the Immaculate Heart of Mary & St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 215 Court St., Elizabeth.

• Noon — The Reviewing Stand Festivities at Morris and Stuyvesant

avenues in Union begin. Enjoy the “Kid’s Zone,” fun for all ages, on Stuyvesant Avenue, just off Morris Avenue.

• 1 p.m. — The parade begins with the marching units gathered on Morris Avenue and along Commerce and Jeanette avenues. The parade route proceeds east along Morris Avenue to a turn at the Main Reviewing Stand at Stuyvesant Avenue and ends at Roosevelt Avenue.

The Midway Reviewing Stand at Morris and Caldwell avenues has parade announcers with details of all of the participants, history and other information.

Photos by Steve Ellmore

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, Roscommon and County Cork.

Sully attended elementary school in Union and graduated from Cranford Senior High School in 2013. Since then, she has received an associate’s degree in communications from Union County College in 2015, a bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in Irish studies from Hofstra University in 2017 and a master’s degree in global sports business from Rutgers University in 2019.

Sully currently serves as the marketing specialist with Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP in Newark. Before Walsh, Sully worked in professional hockey with the ECHL.

Sully became involved in the parade early on, from holding the Parade Committee banner in the early years, to marching with Girl Scout troops. Her father, Gene, has served as both adjutant in 2004 and general chairperson in 2007 and 2008; and her step-mother, Debbie, has also served as general chairperson in 2009 and adjutant in 2017.

Gabby currently resides in Cranford with her boyfriend, Peter.

Photo Courtesy of Gabby Sully

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Photos by Steve Ellmore