South Amboy St. Patrick's Day Parade
Honorees
Grand Marshal - Edward and Anna Mae O'Connor
Edward and Anna Mae O’Connor will serve as the 2027 Grand Marshals. The couple, who have been married for 38 years, reside in South Amboy and are the proud parents of three grown sons, Dan (Molly), Luke (Christine), and Jack, and grandparents to Lily and Cory. When asked how he met his wife Anna Mae, Edward explained he went to school with Anna Mae’s older brother and things progressed from there.
Edward was born and raised in South Amboy, attending St. Mary’s Grammar and High School. He is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Montclair State University with a degree in Computer Science. Edward retired from AT&T after a 22-year employment. In addition to his IT position with AT&T, he worked for IBM (3years) and NCS Technologies (15 years) in a middle management position in their IT departments, where he found his work interesting and rewarding. Edward is currently enjoying his retirement playing golf, traveling with his lovely wife, and playing in competitive softball leagues. Both he and Anna Mae take boundless joy in spoiling their two grandchildren aged 3 and 6 months. Edward also volunteers his time and is currently serving as President of the South Amboy Ancient Order of Hibernians, Vice President of The Friends of South Amboy, and a 20-plus-year member of the South Amboy Housing Authority. He is currently a member of the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, which looks out for the welfare of the city through reviews of the city’s master plan, identifying areas marked as redevelopment zones, and coordinating the use and development of tracts of land. In his free time, Edward is a Trustee of St. Mary’s Parish and sits on the Finance and Parish Council. He is also a former coach for the CYO basketball and South Amboy Little League. Edward stated that he was thrilled that both he and Anna Mae were nominated as Grand Marshals. “I could not have succeeded in my career or taken part in my many volunteer activities without her support.”
Anna Mae (nee Connolly) grew up in Old Bridge with her 5 brothers and one sister. A graduate of St. Mary’s Elementary School and Our Lady of Victories, she attended St. Mary’s High School. Following her graduation from St. Mary’s, Anna Mae attended Monmouth University, earning a BA in Business. Her work career included a position in NYC at a custom jewelry manufacturer, a Customer Service Representative for Guest Supply, allowing her to travel to Canada and Hawaii, as well as working trade shows in Manhattan. Anna Mae went on to explain that she was fortunate enough to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for 15 years and became active at school clubs, organizations, and activities as her boys got older. She has volunteered as the PTO Treasurer and President, as well as with the South Amboy Players, the South Amboy Parade Committee in its early years, St. Mary’s Parish Council, and is a member of Heartworks, a New Jersey-based acts-of-kindness non-profit. Founded in response to the community spirit following September 11th, the organization provides support, connection, and financial relief to individuals and families facing grief, chronic illness, unexpected injury, or severe hardship.
Anna Mae has worked at South Amboy Elementary School in several capacities, including substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and full-time secretary at the Board of Education office. But her fondest memories stem from time spent raising her children and being involved with the plays performed by the South Amboy Middle/High School theatre. Anna Mae’s reaction to the nomination was at first embarrassment, but she went on to explain how honored she feels to stand next to her husband as well as stand upon the shoulders of her father-in-law, Alfred (Alfie) O’Connor, who was one of the original members of the Irish American Association, the organization that was the catalyst for the South Amboy Parade.
Edward was born and raised in South Amboy, attending St. Mary’s Grammar and High School. He is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Montclair State University with a degree in Computer Science. Edward retired from AT&T after a 22-year employment. In addition to his IT position with AT&T, he worked for IBM (3years) and NCS Technologies (15 years) in a middle management position in their IT departments, where he found his work interesting and rewarding. Edward is currently enjoying his retirement playing golf, traveling with his lovely wife, and playing in competitive softball leagues. Both he and Anna Mae take boundless joy in spoiling their two grandchildren aged 3 and 6 months. Edward also volunteers his time and is currently serving as President of the South Amboy Ancient Order of Hibernians, Vice President of The Friends of South Amboy, and a 20-plus-year member of the South Amboy Housing Authority. He is currently a member of the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, which looks out for the welfare of the city through reviews of the city’s master plan, identifying areas marked as redevelopment zones, and coordinating the use and development of tracts of land. In his free time, Edward is a Trustee of St. Mary’s Parish and sits on the Finance and Parish Council. He is also a former coach for the CYO basketball and South Amboy Little League. Edward stated that he was thrilled that both he and Anna Mae were nominated as Grand Marshals. “I could not have succeeded in my career or taken part in my many volunteer activities without her support.”
Anna Mae (nee Connolly) grew up in Old Bridge with her 5 brothers and one sister. A graduate of St. Mary’s Elementary School and Our Lady of Victories, she attended St. Mary’s High School. Following her graduation from St. Mary’s, Anna Mae attended Monmouth University, earning a BA in Business. Her work career included a position in NYC at a custom jewelry manufacturer, a Customer Service Representative for Guest Supply, allowing her to travel to Canada and Hawaii, as well as working trade shows in Manhattan. Anna Mae went on to explain that she was fortunate enough to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for 15 years and became active at school clubs, organizations, and activities as her boys got older. She has volunteered as the PTO Treasurer and President, as well as with the South Amboy Players, the South Amboy Parade Committee in its early years, St. Mary’s Parish Council, and is a member of Heartworks, a New Jersey-based acts-of-kindness non-profit. Founded in response to the community spirit following September 11th, the organization provides support, connection, and financial relief to individuals and families facing grief, chronic illness, unexpected injury, or severe hardship.
Anna Mae has worked at South Amboy Elementary School in several capacities, including substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and full-time secretary at the Board of Education office. But her fondest memories stem from time spent raising her children and being involved with the plays performed by the South Amboy Middle/High School theatre. Anna Mae’s reaction to the nomination was at first embarrassment, but she went on to explain how honored she feels to stand next to her husband as well as stand upon the shoulders of her father-in-law, Alfred (Alfie) O’Connor, who was one of the original members of the Irish American Association, the organization that was the catalyst for the South Amboy Parade.
Deputy Grand Marshal - Catherine Housman
Our Deputy Grand Marshal, Catherine Housman. was born in Perth Amboy and has resided in South Amboy for the past 47 years. She was predeceased by her husband of 21 years, South Amboy Police Officer Sgt. William Housman. She is the proud mother of three adult daughters: Donna, Kate, and Kristen. Although she originally had her sights on a career as a librarian, she changed her mind after speaking with her best friend, whose goal was to go to nursing school. After much thought, Cathy’s sensitivity, connection to people, and desire to serve led her to enroll in the Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing. She has spent the last 50 years working in various capacities in South Amboy, including as an Emergency Room nurse at South Amboy Memorial Hospital for 24 years and a full-time nurse at the South Amboy Middle/High School from 1999 until the present day, where she provides medical care and a trusting and relaxed environment, while also allowing students, parents, and staff a chance to talk or take a breather. She has many fond memories from her time in nursing, but she said the highlight of her career was participating in two Medivac helicopter transports to New York City, which landed in Central Park. “For a little town and emergency room, we saw our fair share of trauma situations.”
Catherine also enjoys her membership in the Middlesex County School Nurse Association, the Municipal Alliance against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the Friends of South Amboy, and working with South Amboy’s Office of Emergency Management during COVID or other such events. She also looks forward to enjoying her eight grandchildren and new great-grandson as well as maintaining contact with former students. Her hobbies include walking, reading, and spending time on Long Beach Island. Catherine was deeply honored and surprised by her nomination and credits her parents for her sense of service and desire to give back to her community, as well as honoring her parents’ Irish roots.
Catherine also enjoys her membership in the Middlesex County School Nurse Association, the Municipal Alliance against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the Friends of South Amboy, and working with South Amboy’s Office of Emergency Management during COVID or other such events. She also looks forward to enjoying her eight grandchildren and new great-grandson as well as maintaining contact with former students. Her hobbies include walking, reading, and spending time on Long Beach Island. Catherine was deeply honored and surprised by her nomination and credits her parents for her sense of service and desire to give back to her community, as well as honoring her parents’ Irish roots.
Honorary Grand Marshal - Dr. Harold McKenna
Born in Jersey City, NJ, and currently residing in Old Bridge, Dr. Harold McKenna will hold the title of Honorary Grand Marshal in the city’s 2027 parade. When he learned that he was nominated to serve as Honorary Grand Marshal, he replied that he was humbled, grateful, and pleasantly surprised! He is very proud of his Irish roots, as his paternal grandfather, James McKenna, emigrated from Dingle, Ireland, while his maternal grandmother, nee Callahan, and his maternal grandfather, Hallahan, both emigrated from County Cork, where the family came through Ellis Island and settled in Jersey City. He and his wife Cheryl are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters and 2 sweet granddaughters. Dedicated to his craft, he looks forward to his daily walks with his dog, EmmiLou.
Dr. McKenna attended St. Aedan’s Grammar School, St. Peter’s Prep High School, and St. Peter’s College, all located in Jersey City. He attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and completed his residency at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark. As a result, he is fluent in both English and Spanish. Dr. McKenna is board-certified in Internal Medicine and has 50 years of clinical experience as a primary care physician caring for patients aged 15 to 100 at his South Amboy practice. He credits his parents, as well as his Jesuit education, with encouraging him to pursue medicine so that he could contribute and help improve social well-being through healthcare.
Known for his compassionate approach, attentive listening skills, and calm and reassuring demeanor, Dr. McKenna has cultivated long-standing relationships with his patients built on trust and reliability. He is proud to say that many of his current patients are children and grandchildren and, in some cases, great-grandchildren of former patients!
Formally affiliated with Raritan Bay Medical Center for over 45 years until February 2026, when Dr. McKenna decided to concentrate fully on his private practice, stating that he loves taking care of his patients and enjoys the challenge of diagnosing a patient’s illness and helping them to regain their health, and always taking the time to listen to their concerns/problems and symptoms. He finds it extremely rewarding to hear the gratitude that patients express as he cares for them.
Dr. McKenna attended St. Aedan’s Grammar School, St. Peter’s Prep High School, and St. Peter’s College, all located in Jersey City. He attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and completed his residency at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark. As a result, he is fluent in both English and Spanish. Dr. McKenna is board-certified in Internal Medicine and has 50 years of clinical experience as a primary care physician caring for patients aged 15 to 100 at his South Amboy practice. He credits his parents, as well as his Jesuit education, with encouraging him to pursue medicine so that he could contribute and help improve social well-being through healthcare.
Known for his compassionate approach, attentive listening skills, and calm and reassuring demeanor, Dr. McKenna has cultivated long-standing relationships with his patients built on trust and reliability. He is proud to say that many of his current patients are children and grandchildren and, in some cases, great-grandchildren of former patients!
Formally affiliated with Raritan Bay Medical Center for over 45 years until February 2026, when Dr. McKenna decided to concentrate fully on his private practice, stating that he loves taking care of his patients and enjoys the challenge of diagnosing a patient’s illness and helping them to regain their health, and always taking the time to listen to their concerns/problems and symptoms. He finds it extremely rewarding to hear the gratitude that patients express as he cares for them.