GRAND MARSHAL - TOM BRENNAN

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Thomas Paul Brennan is a proud son of West Orange. He is the youngest son of Joseph Patrick Brennan and Eileen (née Kaniecki) Brennan. Thomas, along with his brothers, Kevin and Stephen grew up on Harvard Terrace. Thomas attended Gregory Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Seton Hall Preparatory School and went on to study communications at Hofstra University. 

In his 20’s, Tom worked at Dillons Tavern and Papa Moes Pizzeria in the valley section of West Orange. At Papa Moes, he met the love of his life, Rina Ann Tasco, the daughter of owner Frank Tasco. 

Tom’s professional career started at The Home Depot. He received many awards for his success in sales customer service. As a department supervisor, he was awarded Supervisor of the Year. In 2008, with the help of longtime family friend Tom O’Neill, he joined Precision Escalator Products under the leadership of Greg Maroukian. Starting in Shipping and Receiving, Tom rose to his current role as Production/Plant Manager. Tom has played a key role for numerous major escalator modernization projects including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles, GM Renaissance Center in Detroit and Marta in Atlanta. This year, Tom will be celebrating 18 years with the company. 

Tom’s values are deep rooted in Family, Faith and Tradition. He and his wife Rina Ann reside in Rockaway Township with their 2 children, Domenic (12) and Lia (7). Tom and Rina Ann just celebrated their 15 th Wedding Anniversary! Deeply involved in his community, Tom volunteers for youth sports organizations. Growing up he played MTL basketball, Travel Soccer, and PAL baseball. He worked as a basketball referee and worked summers for the township recreation summer camp. He is currently a coach for the Rockaway Township recreation department and supports CYO activities for his two children. 

Proud of his Irish heritage, Tom is active in many local Irish Organizations including The Dillon Association, Irish American Society of the Oranges, Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 9, Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, and the Saint Patrick's Guard of Honor. He has attended the Honor Guard of St Patrick luncheon for over 25 years. He is a past member of the Friendly Sons of Shillelagh where he participated in the annual St Baldrick’s Foundation event, shaving his head and fundraising to fight childhood cancer. 

Tom’s Catholic Faith remains central to his life. Tom grew up in the Our Lady of the Valley Church community, made his sacraments, and was an Altar Server. The Brennan family has a long history with Our Lady of the Valley. Generations of the Brennan Family were married in and were part of the OLV community starting with his great grandparents Joseph and Katherine Murphy in 1906, grandparents Joseph and Agnes Brennan in 1936, Aunt Mary Pat and Uncle Ed Bogart in 1962. Tom and Rina followed the Brennan Family tradition and were married at the Valley in 2010. To this day, Tom calls the Valley his home. Tom is a parishioner at Saint Cecilia’s in Rockaway, NJ. Both of his children attend Catholic School at Divine Mercy Academy.

Tom has marched in the West Orange Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Day since birth. Parade day is a holiday in the Brennan household! For over 25 years, Tom has served as a member of the parade committee holding positions including Sergeant at Arms, Vice Chairman, Chairman. He serves on the adjutant staff yearly. In 2016 Tom was instrumental in adding Brendan P Tevlin along with Archbishop Boland and Patrick J. Melvin to the parade dedication.  

Tom is extremely blessed and humbled to be honored by the West Orange Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. He will walk down Main Street following in the footsteps of his grandfather, 1980 Grand Marshal Joseph P. Brennan Sr., his father 1995 Grand Marshal Joseph P. Brennan Jr., and his aunt, 2009 Deputy Grand Marshal Mary Pat Bogart. Tom will be making parade history marking the first three generation family to hold the distinction of Grand Marshals for the West Orange Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

Eileen was born in Montclair, NJ to Mary and Michael Cassels, the middle daughter of three children and sister of Sean and Meghan. Proud of her Irish heritage, which was instilled in her from a very young age, included learning quickly about family roots hailing from  Dumshambo, Leitrim and about immigrating to New York City through Ellis Island. Eileen was raised in a household where faith, family, loyalty, friendship, and love was valued and was filled with Irish music and visitors from near and far. The parade in West Orange has always been a symbol of faith and family. It was also a special day looked forward to by relatives and friends. Eileen’s parents were all about “keeping the traditions of Irish American Catholics alive”. After all, along with her siblings, they are 6th generation Irish to live in West Orange dating back to the Civil War. 

Eileen is extremely proud to say she grew up in the Lourdes area spending most of her time shooting hoops in Lourdes's parking lot and Colgate Park. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Mount St. Dominic Academy, class of 1995, where she was inducted into the MSDA Hall of Fame as a member of the NJSIAA 1994 State Basketball Champion Team. After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in Elementary Education, Eileen went on to receive two master's degrees in special education and in Reading respectively.  Throughout high school and college, she worked Lourdes Bingo, at the Rectory counting collection on Sundays, and at Mailboxes, Etc. with her favorite person Mr. O’Connor. She also spent summers working for the WO Recreation Department Summer Camp and for many years volunteered as a basketball coach at Our Lady of Lourdes. 

For the past 26 years, Eileen has worked as a teacher for the West Orange School System.  She spent many rewarding years teaching third grade and working as the Reading Specialist at Gregory Avenue School and for the last 14 years she has been an Academic Support Teacher at the awesome Hazel Avenue School specializing in reading intervention.

In August 2003, Eileen married Brian Aker. They reside in Whippany with their three sons Colin, Dylan, and Jack, who are the center of their world. Their activities have certainly expanded Eileen’s interests. She has been a busy hockey mom for 15 plus years. Currently, Eileen is an active participant in the Seton Hall Prep Mother’s Auxiliary, Whippany Park PTO, and the Park Hockey Booster Club. Eileen is also a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima in East Hanover. 

Eileen spent many years being involved in the Irish American Society of the Oranges serving in different capacities as Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice President and President. 

Eileen has walked up Main Street behind many fine and very worthy Grand and Deputy Grand Marshals who have contributed to West Orange. It was a privilege to march beside her Mom in 2003 and Dad in 2010 as they were honored as Deputy Grand Marshals. And was honored to march with Brian and their boys when he was honored in 2016. But she has truly enjoyed watching their boys march with their Dad and the West Orange Fire Department over the past 18 years. 

Eileen is honored, very happy, and extremely proud to “Keep the tradition alive” as the 2026 Deputy Grand Marshal.

The fifth of seven children, Daniel Cunningham comes from a large Irish-Catholic family that has called West Orange home since 1914. Following in his father’s footsteps, he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Our Lady of the Valley High School, graduating in 1978. Daniel worked as a United States Postal Service letter carrier for 36½ years. During his tenure, he served as both Shop Steward and President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (branch 673), steadfastly supporting the rights of his union brothers and sisters. 

In retirement, Daniel pursues his environmental passion through his work with the West Orange Downtown Alliance. He’s the man in yellow keeping Main Street clean! Daniel has long been devoted to the community that shaped him. In his youth, he was an active member of the Shillelagh Club; today, he remains engaged as a member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

In his free time, Daniel enjoys listening to Irish folk and rebel music. He supports a united Ireland and hopes to see reunification in his lifetime. Daniel has shared 29 years of marriage with his wonderful wife, Judene, and the two are proud parents to Moira and Liam. Together, they continue a legacy of family, service, and love for West Orange and its people. 

Bill McEvoy, the middle child of Moira (Toner) and Bill, grew up in South Orange alongside his two siblings, Monica (Anderson) and Tom. Bill’s maternal grandparents, John and Alice Toner immigrated from Belfast, County Antrim. Some say they were warned to leave Belfast, as John was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.  John came over in 1921 to find a better life for his family and Alice followed in 1925 with the five kids. Bill’s mother was number six and the only one born in the United States. Bill’s father’s roots are also traced to Northern Ireland, specifically to Hilltown, County Down, however, the McEvoys were settled in the Ironbound section of Newark for many generations. Bill’s paternal grandfather was a Newark Police Officer and the family lived in Vailsburg when Bill was born. They moved to South Orange when Bill was three and having lived there for 23 years, Bill considers South Orange to be his hometown. His Belfast-born grandmother lived with the family on South Orange Avenue and through her heavy brogue, would often repeat the phrase, “orange and green and peace between.” 

Like his father, Bill graduated from Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University. After trying out for the freshman basketball and baseball teams at the Prep, and not surviving the first cut in each, Bill decided that his only future in sports would be watching games on TV. He got an after-school job at a radio and TV repair shop in South Orange. In college, Bill majored in Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting and also had a summer job as a vacation relief mailman for the South Orange Post Office, where he learned the art of delivering mail quickly, in order to have a longer lunch break. Upon graduating college, he immediately found work as a freelance video production technician. He later had a full-time position with VH-1 and then had a staff job with Midnight Media Group in Millburn for thirty years. 

Bill attended the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the late seventies and early eighties as a spectator and always imagined how great it would be to one day march in the parade. He decided to drop into the Shillelagh Club one Thursday night in 1986 and ask if they were giving bagpipe lessons, and was a bit surprised to hear the answer, “yes!” A year later, he was proudly marching up Main Street, playing pipes with the Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums. Bill immersed himself in Shillelagh piping culture and soon was the Pipe Sergeant and instructor, having taught students who went on to become accomplished pipers in the Shillelaghs, the Passaic County Emerald Society Pipe Band, and the NJ State Police Pipe Band. By 1992, Bill was the Pipe Major of the Shillelaghs. 

In 1998, the Shillelagh Pipe Band found themselves with a day off on the day of the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Bill and a few friends decided to play the parade. It was a ragtag bunch, wearing mismatched sweaters and kilts. This would be the start of South Park and District, which went on to become one of the premier pipe bands in New Jersey. Bill was the ad hoc Pipe Major. He was a founding member and Pipe Sergeant of the band when they began competing in 2003 and then Pipe Major in 2006. He’s still Pipe Major and is still proudly marching up Main Street every year. Bill’s now happily retired but spends a lot of time performing on bagpipes, playing weddings, parties, and funerals. It’s with great pleasure and honor that Bill leads the South Park and District Pipe Band in its support of the many Irish American organizations in the area, such as the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Giblin Association, year after year.

Bill, his wife Laurie, and their son Billy live in Neptune City; daughter Erin lives in Asbury Park. They look forward to the upcoming West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities and the march up Main Street on parade day!

Stephen Shaffer, a life-long resident of Denville, New Jersey, has deep roots in his community and a rich family history. Born to Gilbert and Katherine Shaffer, he grew up in a bustling household as the second of five children, following sister Cathy and is the eldest among his brothers, Greg, Tim and Mike. His maternal lineage connects him to County Louth through his grandfather, William "Poppa Joe" Scanlin. 

Steve navigated the local public school system in Denville before pursuing higher education at Seton Hall University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. 

His father-in-law, affectionately known as "Spanky" McCue, introduced him to "The Club" and the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade during his courtship with Michele. After getting married, Spanky would "volunteer" Steve for numerous functions including Project Children picnics, Eddie Mal events, and other Parade-related functions. Steve presently serves on the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Essex Chapter Executive board. In this role he enthusiastically supports and participates in the club’s charitable endeavors, many of which are directly beneficial to the local West Orange community, notably the Club’s food and coat drives, Back to School Backpacks imitative, as well as the Mayor’s Holiday support program.

Working at UPS for 36 years left Steve very little time for extra-curricular activities, but as soon as he retired in 2016, he joined The Friendly Sons of Shillelagh and began being an active member. Steve was the Shillelagh Man of the Year in 2024.

During his long career at UPS, Steve's commitment to service never wavered. And, upon retirement in 2016, he eagerly embraced a new chapter, officially joining "The Club" and deepening his involvement in the Irish community. Although he had a new career, transitioning to a role with CRG Realty, he had more time to devote to his other passions. 

Steve's philanthropic spirit also extends well beyond The Shillelaghs as he actively participates in multiple organizations, reflecting his diverse interests and passions. As a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council 359 in Morristown and a Son of the  American Legion Post 390 in Denville, Steve's dedication to serving his community shines through. His involvement in groups like the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Morris County, the Irish American Association of the Oranges, and the Eddie Mal Association underscores his commitment to preserving Irish heritage and tradition. 

Family remains at the heart of Steve's life, with his marriage to Michele McCue Shaffer serving as a cornerstone of support and companionship. Together, they reside in Denville, where they raised three beautiful and accomplished daughters. Anne is married to Colin Kane, a Shillelagh member, Molly lives in Jersey City, and Colleen resides in Long Beach Island. Anne is finishing her Master's degree at Rowan University, is a teacher at Livingston High School; Molly, a graduate of Moravian University is a Paralegal; and Colleen, graduated from Sacred Heart University is a Social Media/Communications Assistant.

Steve remains deeply committed to giving back to society, particularly to the elderly and our veterans, volunteering for initiatives like Wreaths Across America. His unwavering dedication to community service, combined with his strong family values and active participation in various organizations enforces his commitment to service.