When the 2019 Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off this year, people who were once part of the community will be remembered.
The 21st Annual Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Parade steps off at noon on Sunday, March 10 from Lafayette Avenue and East Tremont Avenue. It marches on East Tremont Avenue to Harding Avenue, where there will be a reviewing stand.
In addition to grand marshals Peggy McKeegan and former Congressman Joseph Crowley, and religious honoree and Villa Maria Academy principal Sr. Teresa Barton, 28 individuals will be posthumously remembered as honorary grand marshals.
These recently deceased individuals were selected by the parade committee for their outstanding contributions to Throggs Neck and to other nearby communities.
A statement from the parade committee said that they were excited to bring this annual celebration of Irish and civic pride back for another year, and to remember the honorary grand marshals.
“The committee is filled with gratitude for the chance to celebrate the honorary grand marshals,” stated the committee. “These individuals are sorely missed and we hope their families and our community gain some solace while we reflect on their lives.”
The committee added: “It’s going to be a wonderful day for Throggs Neck and the Bronx!”
They honorary grand marshals for this year’s parade are Barbara Archambault, Lee Baumann, Eugene Callan, William Corbett, Kevin Curran, Kevin Delaney, John Donovan, Miriam Donovan, John Geideman, Carolyn Gross-Kreidemaker, William Johnson, Matthew Kuhl, Terence ‘Terry’ Lorino, Michael Lynch, Diane ‘Dee’ McSwigin, Elizabeth ‘Lily’ Mullane, Michael Nash, Thomas O’Donnell, John O’Gara, Barbara Powers, John Powers, Arthur Reilly, Joseph Riordan, Elizabeth Roche, Lyn Scheuring, David Sheehan, Margaret Sullivan and Michael Sullivan.
Mike Sullivan’s parents Margaret Sullivan and Michael Sullivan will be honored during the parade. He told the Bronx Times that his mom and dad would attend the parade every year, then afterwards continue the festivities at one of their children’s houses or at Jimmy Ryan’s, where Mike is the proprietor, for a celebration.
The Sullivans, including eight children and their wives and husbands, more than 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Margaret and Michael will be marching in the parade to remember their loved ones, said Mike Sullivan.
Michelle Schaefer, the daughter of honoree Barbara Archambault, said that if her mother knew she was being honored, she would be proud because she loved her community, but wouldn’t have wanted anyone to make a fuss over her.
She loved growing up in Throggs Neck and (living in) Edgewater Park and she never would have left there,” said Schaefer.
John Roche, the brother of honorary grand marshal Elizabeth Roche, said that his sister really enjoyed attending the Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade and photographing it every year, as she was an avid amateur photographer.
“She would be delighted she was being honored posthumously, but she wasn’t one for the spotlight,” said Roche.
Her family will be marching with buttons that celebrate Liz’s spirit and love of photography, said Roche. Playing on her passion for photography, he said they will read: “capture each moment.”
