For Parade application click HERE

 

GRAND MARSHAL

Steve Blank

 

 

The Nutley Irish American Association is proud to introduce our 2026 Grand Marshal, Steve Blank.

Steve is proud of his Irish heritage, which, on his mother’s side comes from County Kilkenny and County Down.  His mother, Jane (nee Purdy), was a proud Irish woman, who would wear her shamrock scarf, Claddagh earrings, and St. Brigid cross to every Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

Steve was born in the Ironbound section of Newark prior to moving to Nutley as a child.  He attended St. Mary’s School, and is a proud graduate of Nutley High School and William Paterson College (University).  He is currently retired, but started his career in local and state government before a long career in finance, working in corporate T&E.

Steve has always been very involved in the Irish community and has demonstrated himself to be a true leader.  He is one of the founding members of the Nutley Irish American Association and the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Steve serves as the President of the Ironbound Irish Association, a men’s organization founded over 91 years ago that celebrates the Irish heritage in the Ironbound section of Newark.  He was honored to be named Member of the Year of this organization in 2007.  Steve is also a bass drummer for St. Brendan the Navigator Pipes and Drums based out of Point Pleasant, NJ. 

Steve moved down the shore in 2001 where he and his wife Cindy live in Toms River. Together they have a daughter Brianna who is married to Phill Costigan, and son Brett, who is married to Maria.  Brett and Maria are expecting Steve’s first grandchild, a baby boy any day! 

Steve has marched in 46 of the 47 Nutley St. Patrick’s Day parades and is excited to be marching as the 2026 Grand Marshal!  He would like to congratulate his fellow honorees, Noel, Katherine, Brandon, and Victoria, and is honored to lead the way in 2026!

 

DEPUTY GRAND MARSHAL

Noel Lenahan

 

The Nutley Irish American Association is proud to introduce the 2026 Deputy Grand Marshal, Noel Lenahan.

Noel traces his Irish heritage to County Roscommon.  His mother, Irene Finn, was from Ballaghaderreen and his father Joe was from Boyle.   

Noel was raised in Belleville along with his two brothers Michael and Kevin.  Noel is a graduate of St. Peter’s Grammar School in Belleville and Essex Catholic High School in Newark.  He joined the Local 68 Operating Engineers Union in 1978 and he was a licensed electrician until he retired in 2017 after 39 years of service.

Noel is a snare drummer in South Park & District Pipes and Drums for the past 20 years. He has been a member of the Giblin Association since 1978 and was an honoree at their cocktail party in 2025.  He was a member of the Belleville Irish and has been a member of the Nutley Irish for the past 20 years.

Noel’s fondest memories of growing up in the Irish community revolve around the Irish neighborhood in Belleville on William Street and Bridge Street.  He is grateful to be a member of the Morris & Finn families and growing up with the McManus’ & the Whalens. Noel’s family has been involved in the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade since inception, and he wishes he was able to share this moment with his loved ones who have passed, including his parents, and his wife May.

Noel has one son, Brian, who has also been a member of the Local 68 for the past 13 years and is the apple of Noel’s eye.  Noel would like to thank his son Brian for going above and beyond in helping him so much in life.

Noel would like to thank the Nutley Irish for honoring him as Deputy Grand Marshal.  Most of all, Noel is excited to be walking down Franklin Ave with his fellow dignitaries, being led by his friends in South Park & District Pipes and Drums.

 

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

Brandon Griffitt

 

The Nutley Irish American Association is proud to introduce our 2026 Firefighter of the Year, Brandon Griffitt.

Brandon traces his Irish heritage on his father’s side back to County Dublin.

Born and raised in Belleville, Brandon moved to Nutley 13 years ago.   

Brandon attended Good Shepherd Academy in Nutley and graduated from Belleville High School.  Brandon continued his education at Rutgers University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. 

Brandon served his country for 12 years in the NJ Army National Guard.  He found it to be a lot of fun to be a helicopter mechanic.  He was also a crew chief and part of the flight crew on the Blackhawk.

Brandon worked at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch after college as a Financial Planner.  He holds a Series 7 & 63 certifications. 

In order to have a better quality of life and spend more time with his family, Brandon joined the Nutley Fire Department in 2021.  Brandon was part of the first group of professional firefighters to ride the ambulance in Nutley.  He served that role for 4 years.  He is currently working as a shift firefighter on Tour 4.  When asked what his favorite part of the job was, Brandon will genuinely respond with… “I just like helping people.”

Brandon is married to his wife Elisa, and together they have daughter Quinn.  They recently moved to Little Falls to prepare for the arrival of their son, Mac William, who will be joining the family in June.  He is very excited to share his Irish traditions with his children.

Brandon would like to thank the Nutley Irish for this honor, and is looking forward to marching with everyone in the parade on March 7^th.  He can’t wait to be involved in the parade, rather than watching from the sidelines.

 

MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Katherine Bennett

 

The Nutley Irish American Association is proud to introduce our 2026 Member of the Year,

Katherine Bennett.

Katherine attributes her love for her Irish culture and heritage to both her parents.  Her mother, Anne, was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and her father, Michael, was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. A classic love story occurred when her father travelled to Ireland on vacation and met her mother! On June 21, 1978, they were married in Ireland and then settled in Belleville, NJ. Katherine’s paternal grandparents were from County West Meath and County Cork.  Having close ties to Ireland, Katherine truly values the relationships she has with her family in Ireland and is very fortunate to see her family often on either side of the Atlantic! 

 A lifelong resident of Belleville, Katherine graduated from Belleville High School in 1999.  

She attained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education/Mathematical Science from Kean University in 2004. She continued her education at Montclair State University where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics/Supervision in 2012.

 Katherine was an Irish Step Dancer for 12 years with the Peter Smith School of Irish

Dance. During this time, she competed in various competitions, such as weekend

Feis’ and the annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas each November. A few highlights

from her Irish dancing days were performing at numerous St. Patrick’s Day events and

parades, along with dancing on the great stages of both Radio City Music Hall and

Carnegie Hall, as part of the entertainment for the Irish tenor, Frank Patterson.

 Katherine has been a teacher at St. Philip Preparatory School in Clifton, NJ for 20

years. She taught Middle School Math there for 18 years. She currently leads the Little

Kaleidoscope program for first and second graders, which is a Gifted and Talented program in 

Math and Reading. She is also the Faculty Adviser for the National Junior Honor Society and Student Council. In 2009, Katherine received the St. Philip the Apostle School 

Outstanding Catholic School Teacher Award and in 2023, she received the St. Philip

the Apostle Parish Knights of Columbus Teacher of the Year Award.  Katherine truly loves being a teacher and the joys that come with it. 

 A proud aunt to her nephew, Michaelangelo, and niece, Tonianne, Katherine enjoys

teaching them about their Irish heritage and passing down family traditions. Being able

to experience their first trip to Ireland in 2023 was truly special and memorable for the

whole family.

Katherine is an active parishioner of Holy Family Church in Nutley, where she volunteers as a lector and helps at their annual Italian Festival. She is also an active member of the NIAA, where she helps at various events and fundraisers.  As a Breast Cancer survivor, she is very thankful to the Greater Nutley Cancer Foundation and the MRH Breast Cancer Foundation.   

 Katherine is excited and honored to represent the Nutley Irish as this year’s Member of the Year. It is also exciting for her to join her sisters who are past dignitaries. Her sister, Alicia Bennett Frannicola was the Parade Queen in 2013 and her sister, Ellen Bennett was the

Member of the Year in 2018. Katherine is looking forward to marching up Franklin Avenue on Saturday, March 7th along with her family, friends, NIAA members, and fellow dignitaries! 

 

 

PARADE QUEEN

Victoria Kealy

The Nutley Irish is honored to announce Victoria Kealy as our 2026 Parade Queen. 

Victoria traces her Irish roots on her father’s side, where both of her grandparents were born and raised in Ireland near Dublin prior to emigrating to Kearny. Victoria holds an Irish passport which has made traveling and exploring her heritage easier and more meaningful.  Her most memorable trip was one she took with her grandmother, which unfortunately was the last trip her grandmother took back home prior to passing away in November 2025. 

Born in Lyndhurst, Victoria moved to Nutley after Kindergarten.  She is a graduate of Spring Garden School, John Walker Middle School, and Nutley High School.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Pace University, and Masters and Doctorate degrees from Felician University. 

Victoria is an accomplished soccer player, having played on the collegiate level for Pace University.  She was a member of the Irish National team which not only allowed her to compete at a high level but also gave me the chance to form lifelong friendships in Ireland.  Through that experience, she traveled extensively across the country, gaining a deeper appreciation for its landscapes, towns, and regional cultures. 

Victoria is currently employed as a post-doctoral psychologist in a hospital setting.  She  also works part-time in private practice, as well as working part-time as a soccer coach.

Victoria lives in Nutley with her dad, Dave Kealy, retired Captain of the Kearny Fire Department, her mom Angela and their great dane, Zucc.  They love to travel together as a family, and look forward to many upcoming adventures!Victoria congratulates her fellow dignitaries, and is looking forward to being able to celebrate her Irish heritage in the parade on March 7^th!