The Rutherford Irish American Association
The 2027 Dignitaries
Grand Marshal Patrick O'Neill
Patrick J. O'Neill was born and raised in Kearny, New Jersey, where his Irish heritage has always been a defining part of his life. The youngest of seven children—arriving just five minutes after his fraternal twin brother, Danny. Pat proudly traces his roots to Belfast and County Roscommon on his mother's side and County Sligo on his father's. One of his most cherished memories is the trip to Ireland with his wife Debbie, which brought the many years of Song and Story to life.
Pat and his wife, Debbie, have been happily married for over 31 years. Together they raised their three daughters, Sydney, Brooke, and Shannon, and have proudly called Rutherford home for the last 29 years.
Pat dedicated 26 years to the City of Bayonne Police Department, retiring as a Detective in 2020. Throughout his distinguished law enforcement career, he received numerous commendations and awards in recognition of his professionalism, dedication, and service to the community. He was also an active member of Bayonne PBA Local 7, serving as both Trustee and Financial Secretary over a 17-year span. Since 2021, Pat is now employed as a Safety/Security Advisor for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
His passion for his Irish heritage led him to become a founding member of the Bayonne Police Emerald Society in 1996. As an adult, Pat took on the challenge of learning the bagpipes and helped establish the Bayonne Police Emerald Society Pipe Band in 1997. Over the years, he served the organization as Financial Secretary, Trustee, and Vice President and was honored as the organization's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2007.
Pat is also a founding member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Archbishop John Hughes, Passaic Division 16, where he serves as Chairman of Standing Committees and was recognized as Member of the Year.
From 1997 to 2001, Pat volunteered with Project Children, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for children affected by the conflict in Northern Ireland. His dedication earned him recognition as a Distinguished Volunteer.
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Pat found his calling and joined the Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, where he served as Pipe Sergeant for five years and continues to perform as an active piper in the band today. Throughout the years, he has played in countless parades, memorial services, community events, weddings, and celebrations, generously sharing his talent during both joyful and solemn occasions. He especially treasured performing each March at the Academy of Saint Mary, where his daughters attended grammar school. Pat has also volunteered his time for Relay for Life, Rutherford's annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, and many other charitable and community events.
Since 2001, Pat has also been an active member of the Essex County Emerald Society, serving as a Trustee. In 2019, he was honored with the Sergeant William E. Connolly Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for his outstanding service and dedication.
What began as singing karaoke eventually evolved into the Captain & O'Neill band, the Irish-American musical duo he formed with his longtime friend Scott Sim. After years of performing as a duo they welcomed additional band members Kevin, PJ, and Al who with their energy and banter enhanced the craic while performing. In 2026, the Captain and O’Neill celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Captain and O’Neill have appeared live on the radio during Joe Nolan's First Day of Summer Kickoff in Lavallette and were recognized with the Maureen E. Nolan Foundation Outstanding Contributor Award. Many may also recall Pat and Scott from their annual live performances on the Scott Shannon Morning Show on St. Patrick's Day. Pat especially enjoys when his daughters come to see him perform and having Sydney volunteer to come up on stage for a duet every now and then.
One of Pat's greatest accomplishments has been helping bring a St. Patrick's Day Parade to the Borough of Rutherford. After years of marching in parades throughout New Jersey, he envisioned Park Avenue as the perfect setting for a parade that would celebrate Irish culture while bringing the South Bergen communities together. After studying operations of numerous parades and receiving guidance from friends in the Essex County Emerald Society, Nutley Irish, Newark Parade Committee, West Orange, and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh he presented the idea to the Rutherford Mayor and Council.
Pat helped organize a group of area residents of Irish descent. What began as conversations in Danny McKosker's backyard ultimately led to the founding of the Rutherford Irish American Association. Since becoming Parade Chairman in 2018, Pat has remained committed to growing the parade into one of Rutherford's most cherished annual traditions. Without the help of the founding board members and those who have served on the board throughout the years, the parade volunteers who graciously gave their time, the generous supporters, the Rutherford PD and DPW, the parade would not have been possible; he truly thanks them all from the bottom of his heart. Pat looks back to the first parade and remembers telling his girls that Rutherford has never seen a parade as they will today; he looks forward to keeping this tradition alive for many years to come!!!
Pat wants to take a moment to recognize the person who has been his greatest supporter through all of it—his wife Debbie. Debbie has been by his side every step of the way either with helping guide with the planning, bouncing off ideas, or just listening. While Pat may hold the title of Parade Chairman, Debbie has truly been his partner in helping make it a success. Pat says he is incredibly grateful for Debbie’s love, support, and of course her patience!!!
Whether wearing a police badge, carrying a set of bagpipes, singing an Irish ballad, or leading Rutherford's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Patrick J. O'Neill has remained steadfast in his commitment to family, faith, community, and the preservation of Irish heritage. Being selected as Grand Marshal during the parade's 10th Anniversary celebration is an honor he proudly cherishes.
Deputy Grand Marshal Tim Leahy
Tim Leahy is a proud native of Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, where his strong connection to Irish heritage, family, and community began. In 2000, Tim made the journey from Ireland to the United States, settling in New Jersey and initially living with his cousin Siobhain and her husband Jeff as he began building a new life far from home.
Over the years, Tim has remained deeply connected to his Irish roots while becoming an active and dedicated member of his local New Jersey community. He is the proud owner of The Local Pub in Carlstadt, New Jersey, a neighborhood establishment that has become much more than a place to enjoy a meal or a pint. Under Tim’s ownership, The Local Pub has become a gathering place where neighbors become friends and the community comes together.
Tim is also a devoted family man. He and his wife Liz have built a strong and loving home together in New Jersey. They are proud parents to their two children, Padraig and Ciara, both of whom are currently in college. Tim takes great pride in his family and the values they share, and he credits Liz, Padraig, and Ciara as his greatest support and inspiration in everything he does.
Tim strongly believes in giving back to the community that has supported him and his business throughout the years. He has continually supported local schools, sports teams, community organizations, charitable causes, and local groups, always willing to lend a hand and help those around him. Whether through sponsorships, donations, fundraisers, or simply providing a welcoming place for people to gather, Tim takes great pride in supporting the people and organizations that make the local community special.
Although New Jersey has been his home for more than 25 years, Tim has never forgotten where he came from. His love for Listowel, County Kerry, his Irish heritage, and the traditions and values he brought with him from Ireland remain an important part of who he is today. He is proud to celebrate and share that heritage with his family, friends, customers, and the wider Irish-American community.
Tim is deeply honored to be selected as a Deputy Grand Marshal of the 2027 Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade and to represent the Rutherford Irish and Irish American Association. For someone who arrived in New Jersey from County Kerry in 2000, being chosen to help lead a St. Patrick’s Day parade in the community he now calls home is a tremendous honor.
Tim looks forward to celebrating the 2027 parade season alongside Grand Marshal Pat O’Neill, his fellow RIAA members, family, friends, and the entire community.
Here’s to a fantastic 2027 Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Member of the Year Meghan Moran
Meghan Moran is a lifelong resident of Rutherford, where she was born and raised, and is the daughter of the late Daniel Moran and Deborah O’Keefe Moran. She attended Saint Mary Elementary and High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from Caldwell University. Meghan currently serves as the Associate Director of Major Gifts and Special Initiatives for the Archdiocese of Newark.
A proud member of the Rutherford Irish American Association since its founding, Meghan served on the Association’s Board of Trustees from 2019 to 2023. Since the Association’s inaugural Gala, she has co-chaired the Gala Ad Journal, helping to organize the publication while leading fundraising efforts and soliciting advertisements and donations. Through these efforts, the Ad Journal has raised more than $120,000 in support of the Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In February 2020, Meghan was recognized by the Irish Echo as one of its Top 40 Under 40 and received the Excellence in Education Award for her contributions to Catholic education and advancement. She currently serves on the board of directors for Saint Mary High School.
Meghan is especially proud of her Irish heritage. Her paternal grandfather was born in Ballyferriter, County Kerry, while her maternal family traces its roots to Mitchelstown, County Cork. Deeply rooted in both her Irish heritage and her hometown of Rutherford, Meghan is honored to carry forward the traditions of faith, family, and community that have shaped her life.
Law Enforcement Officer Matthew Principe
Matthew Principe is a proud member of the Rutherford Irish American Association along with his wife, Ashley, who are both proud of their family ties to Ireland. Matthew is a Rutherford-raised alumni of Rutherford High School, Class of 2004. Following his graduation from RHS, Matthew attended Ramapo College of New Jersey where he graduated with a degree in Law and Society with a focus on Criminal and Constitutional Law.
Matthew is part of a long family line of Irish law enforcement including his brother, godfather, grandfather and great grandfathers. He began his law enforcement career when he was hired as a Special Agent by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in March of 2012. Following his completion of the DEA Basic Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, Matthew was assigned to the Los Angeles Field Division (LAFD) Financial Investigations Group. Matthew was tasked with investigating, disrupting, and dismantling international money laundering and large-scale narcotics trafficking organizations. Matthew was also a proud member and Assistant Team Leader of the LAFD’s Special Response Team (SRT) responsible for executing high risk arrests, search warrants and both urban and rural search and rescue operations.
In 2018, Matthew transferred to the New Jersey Division (NJD) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA 4) responsible for violent crime and drug trafficking in the Northeast. Matthew currently serves in a DEA/FBI Task Force and serves as the Senior Team Leader of the NJD’s Special Response Team with an area of responsibility throughout the United States. Matthew also serves as a firearms and tactics instructor in the DEA’s National SRT school and for the NJD.
Matthew is dedicated to the field of law enforcement and attributes his work ethic to support he receives from fellow law enforcement, friends, and family specifically his wife, brother, and mother.
Firefighter Bill Murnane
William "Bill" Murnane has been a proud resident of Rutherford for the past forty years and a dedicated member of the Rutherford Irish American Association since its beginning. His deep Irish heritage traces back to County Cork, Ireland, a heritage he carries with great pride.
Bill is the loving husband of Irene and a devoted father to his daughter, Tricia, and son-in-law, Randy. Above all, his greatest pride and joy is his beloved grandson, Joseph, who holds a very special place in his heart.
A graduate of Hoboken High School, Class of 1966, Bill answered the call to serve his country when he was drafted into the United States Army. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with courage and distinction. During his service, Bill was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Following his military service, Bill began a distinguished career with the Newark Fire Department, where he proudly served the community for 38 years. Through his dedication, courage, and commitment to helping others, Bill rose to the rank of Captain and received numerous commendations recognizing his service and bravery.
Bill's dedication to his Irish heritage and the fire service continues to be an important part of his life. He is a longtime member of the Newark Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, where he proudly serves as a tenor drummer. He is also a longtime member of the Essex County Emerald Society.
Throughout his life, Bill has exemplified the values of family, service, friendship, courage, and pride in his Irish heritage. Whether serving his country, protecting his community, supporting his fellow firefighters, or spending time with the people he loves, Bill has always given of himself wholeheartedly.
His forty years in Rutherford have made him not only a longtime resident, but a valued member of the community and a proud representative of the traditions and spirit of the Irish-American community.
EMT Catherine O'Keefe
Catherine (Gallagher) O’Keefe grew up in Rutherford and went to Rutherford Public Schools. After high school, she began a 31-year career with Airwick Industries (now Reckitt). While working she began her education at Bergen Community College, where she earned an associate degree, followed by a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson College.
As a Junior in high school in 1982, Catherine joined the Youth Squad of the Rutherford Volunteer Ambulance Squad. Today, she is a Life Member and longtime Trustee. Over the last 44 years, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Training Officer, Recording Secretary, and Youth Squad Advisor. Catherine has previously received the EMT of the Year Award from the VFW and an EMS Excellence Award from Hackensack Meridian Health.
Having grown up as a Girl Scout and proudly earning First Class, the highest Girl Scout honor at the time, Catherine developed a strong commitment to serving her community. She served as a Girl Scout leader for many years, including throughout her daughter’s 13 years as a Scout. Catherine spent a summer on the Youth Conservation Corps. Catherine also devoted herself to the Rutherford schools through the PTA.
Her dedication to helping others also extends to another important form of lifesaving: Catherine is a longtime blood and platelet donor, with more than 100 donations.
Catherine is deeply proud of her Irish heritage. Her mother was born in County Kerry, while her paternal grandparents came from Counties Offaly and Fermanagh. Catherine joined the Rutherford Irish American Association in its inaugural year and has served on its Board since 2020.
Catherine and her husband, Brian, the 2019 RIAA EMT of the Year, continue to call Rutherford home, where they raised their two children. Their son, Patrick, serves as a Rutherford Police Officer and was named RIAA EMT of the Year in 2023. Their daughter, Kerry, is a teacher in the Rutherford school system.
Congratulations to all of our distinguished honorees. We can't wait to walk down Park Ave with you on March 7th!