South Amboy St. Patrick's Day Parade
Honorees
Grand Marshal - John Dragotta
Born in Perth Amboy Hospital, our Grand Marshal, John Dragotta, grew up in South Amboy along with his brother and sister in the family home on Charmello Drive. John went through the South Amboy Public School system and is a graduate of H.G. Hoffman High School. He currently resides in South Amboy with his wife Diane and daughters Hannah and Jenna.
John has been employed by the Borough of Sayreville for the past 20 years in the Water/Sewer Department as a Sewer II Repairman. But his true passion is firefighting. John started his volunteer firefighting career by joining Protection Engine Company No. 1 with his best friend, Steven (Shots) Szatkowski and has never looked back. He is currently a member of the Enterprise Hook & Ladder Co., where he went through the ranks of third, second, and first Lieutenant and then Captain. He has also served in the elected positions of 2nd Assistant Fire Chief, 1st Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Chief of the South Amboy Fire Department.
John has also been an active member of Morgan Fire Company No. 1 of the Sayreville Fire Department for over 23 years, where he attained the rank of Captain. In 2007 and 2010, he received the Firefighter of the Year Award from Morgan Fire Company No. 1. John is a former member of the Madison Park Fire Company in Old Bridge, which he joined in 2006, and served as Fire Chief. He also holds associate memberships with the Washington Engine Company No. 1 of the Matawan Fire Department and the Wallington Engine Company No. 202 (The Hot Shots) of the Wallington Fire Department.
John donates his time to several volunteer organizations, including Firefighters Helping Firefighters, a foundation that helps firefighters and their families in times of need where he is founding member and director of the board. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Parlin DuPont Employees Federal Credit Union and is a member of the Central Jersey Fire Chiefs Association, the New Jersey Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, the Bayshore Active Fire Chiefs Association, the South Amboy Exempt Firemen’s Association, and the South Amboy Fire Department. Currently John sits on the South Amboy Board of Education where he has served for the past 17 years and is awaiting induction into the Colonel D.B. Kelly Division #1 Ancient Order of Hibernians of South Amboy.
When John saw the tragedy that unfolded on September 11th, 2001, he knew he could not just sit back and do nothing. Two days after the attacks, John was contacted by his close friend Owen Carlock, a member of FDNY Ladder 122, with a request to assist the members of Ladder 122 and Engine 220 in the search and rescue effort, which unfortunately turned into a recovery mission. John did not hesitate to respond and worked hand in hand with the members of FDNY until late November 2001.
John is immensely proud of his contribution to the City of South Amboy during his time as Fire Chief. He was instrumental in designing and outfitting three brand new fire chief cars and working with the city’s grant writer to obtain one of the largest grants given to a fire department in Middlesex County, under the American Rescue Plan in 2022. This grant in the amount of $61,000.00, allowed for the purchase of personal protective gear for South Amboy Firefighters. He was also able to obtain a second grant which was used to purchase fire equipment and water rescue gear.
When asked how it felt to be asked to serve as the 2026 Grand Marshal of South Amboy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade he replied” I was blown away. I am immensely proud to be part of this great city and hope that I can continue to give back to its residents in years to come. I would especially like to thank his family for putting up with my many activities and time away from home as well as my friends, and fellow firefighters for all of the support they have given me over the years.”
John has been employed by the Borough of Sayreville for the past 20 years in the Water/Sewer Department as a Sewer II Repairman. But his true passion is firefighting. John started his volunteer firefighting career by joining Protection Engine Company No. 1 with his best friend, Steven (Shots) Szatkowski and has never looked back. He is currently a member of the Enterprise Hook & Ladder Co., where he went through the ranks of third, second, and first Lieutenant and then Captain. He has also served in the elected positions of 2nd Assistant Fire Chief, 1st Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Chief of the South Amboy Fire Department.
John has also been an active member of Morgan Fire Company No. 1 of the Sayreville Fire Department for over 23 years, where he attained the rank of Captain. In 2007 and 2010, he received the Firefighter of the Year Award from Morgan Fire Company No. 1. John is a former member of the Madison Park Fire Company in Old Bridge, which he joined in 2006, and served as Fire Chief. He also holds associate memberships with the Washington Engine Company No. 1 of the Matawan Fire Department and the Wallington Engine Company No. 202 (The Hot Shots) of the Wallington Fire Department.
John donates his time to several volunteer organizations, including Firefighters Helping Firefighters, a foundation that helps firefighters and their families in times of need where he is founding member and director of the board. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Parlin DuPont Employees Federal Credit Union and is a member of the Central Jersey Fire Chiefs Association, the New Jersey Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, the Bayshore Active Fire Chiefs Association, the South Amboy Exempt Firemen’s Association, and the South Amboy Fire Department. Currently John sits on the South Amboy Board of Education where he has served for the past 17 years and is awaiting induction into the Colonel D.B. Kelly Division #1 Ancient Order of Hibernians of South Amboy.
When John saw the tragedy that unfolded on September 11th, 2001, he knew he could not just sit back and do nothing. Two days after the attacks, John was contacted by his close friend Owen Carlock, a member of FDNY Ladder 122, with a request to assist the members of Ladder 122 and Engine 220 in the search and rescue effort, which unfortunately turned into a recovery mission. John did not hesitate to respond and worked hand in hand with the members of FDNY until late November 2001.
John is immensely proud of his contribution to the City of South Amboy during his time as Fire Chief. He was instrumental in designing and outfitting three brand new fire chief cars and working with the city’s grant writer to obtain one of the largest grants given to a fire department in Middlesex County, under the American Rescue Plan in 2022. This grant in the amount of $61,000.00, allowed for the purchase of personal protective gear for South Amboy Firefighters. He was also able to obtain a second grant which was used to purchase fire equipment and water rescue gear.
When asked how it felt to be asked to serve as the 2026 Grand Marshal of South Amboy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade he replied” I was blown away. I am immensely proud to be part of this great city and hope that I can continue to give back to its residents in years to come. I would especially like to thank his family for putting up with my many activities and time away from home as well as my friends, and fellow firefighters for all of the support they have given me over the years.”
Deputy Grand Marshal - Lee Steiner
Born in Bound Brook, our Deputy Grand Marshal Lee Steiner, grew up in South Amboy and attended St. Mary’s Kindergarten, Grammer and High Schools before attending Middlesex County College where he received an associate’s degree in civil construction technology. An alumnus of NJIT, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Civil Technology, he has worked for the N.J. Department of Transportation as a Traffic Engineer for the past 45 years, with plans to retire in January 2026. One of his many projects was developing the plan to place barriers from the Route 9 bridge in Edison through to the ramp where Routes 9 and 35 split.
An avid builder of models including cars, planes, boats and ships, the model of the PT109 remains his favorite. He is currently a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, a member of the South Amboy Historical Society and has been a member of the Sayreville Knights of Columbus since 2005, currently holding the title of Faithful Navigator 4th degree. Lee was also a certified scuba diver and a member of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department Underwater Rescue team.
Lee explained, “I am most proud of the fact that I have been a member of the South Amboy First Aid Squad since September of 1978 serving as Captain, President, Instructor, and Advisor and currently hold the title of Trustee. Not only did I meet his late wife, Veronica (Manhattan) at the First Aid Squad, but found an extended family that has enriched our lives and allowed me to receive much more than I gave. I am proud to say that my greatest achievement in life is the fact that of the 1,065 calls received by the squad, I was able to answer 1,037 of them.”
“To be recognized for my commitment to the City of South Amboy and my volunteer time assisting the members of our community has been a humbling surprise,” he went on to say. “I am thankful for this nomination and will look back on my volunteer years and my role as Deputy Grand Marshal with pride.”
An avid builder of models including cars, planes, boats and ships, the model of the PT109 remains his favorite. He is currently a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, a member of the South Amboy Historical Society and has been a member of the Sayreville Knights of Columbus since 2005, currently holding the title of Faithful Navigator 4th degree. Lee was also a certified scuba diver and a member of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department Underwater Rescue team.
Lee explained, “I am most proud of the fact that I have been a member of the South Amboy First Aid Squad since September of 1978 serving as Captain, President, Instructor, and Advisor and currently hold the title of Trustee. Not only did I meet his late wife, Veronica (Manhattan) at the First Aid Squad, but found an extended family that has enriched our lives and allowed me to receive much more than I gave. I am proud to say that my greatest achievement in life is the fact that of the 1,065 calls received by the squad, I was able to answer 1,037 of them.”
“To be recognized for my commitment to the City of South Amboy and my volunteer time assisting the members of our community has been a humbling surprise,” he went on to say. “I am thankful for this nomination and will look back on my volunteer years and my role as Deputy Grand Marshal with pride.”
Honorary Grand Marshal - Joseph Britton
We are proud to announce that Joe Britton has been nominated as our 2026 Honorary Grand Marshal. Born and raised along with his six siblings in Fords, NJ, he is part of a family that has a long history of careers in education and law enforcement. He currently resides in Maplewood with his loving wife of 30 years, Rozalia, but Joe has deep ties to the city of South Amboy.
Joe Britton began his career in Law Enforcement as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Perth Amboy Police Department in 1974.
During his 30-year career, he worked in the Patrol, Traffic, and Investigative Divisions. Professionally, Joe is most proud of the time he spent working in the department’s Juvenile Aid Bureau. Promoted to Detective Sergeant, he became only the third Commander of the Bureau since it was established in 1954, ironically, the year of Joe’s birth. During his tenure in the Juvenile Bureau, he implemented many new and innovative programs that significantly reduced juvenile crime and empowered juvenile crime victims. During this tenure, juvenile crime was reduced by 58% in the city.
Before his retirement in 2007, he was appointed by then Governor Whitman to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice (Establishing the Juvenile Justice Commission and revising juvenile laws), Governor’s Community Notification Advisory Council (Establishing Meagan’s Law) and Governor’s Juvenile Justice; Delinquency Prevention Advisory Committee (Administers all Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds in the state. By appointing Joe to these committees, the Governor gave a true voice for all the law enforcement members who look to protect our youth, our greatest resource.
Once retired, Joe dedicated much of his time to volunteering, including working with the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, the Ukrainian Assumption Church Holy Name Society (serving as President), and the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
He is also a member of his beloved Colonel D.B. Kelly Division #1 Ancient Order of Hibernians, South Amboy (2-time Past President), and the Ancient Order of Hibernians County Board, serving as President, as well as the Retired Policemen and Firemen’s Association Local #9, where he serves as Vice President. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #80, the San Salvatore Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 21.
Joe has a long connection to the City of South Amboy. The city was always a place where he could go, relax, and just be Joe as he spent time with schoolmate Bob Heiser and buddies at the Landmark or at the Hibernians or enjoying pizza at Harbor Lights. Joe also finds time to play golf, bowl, and travel to golf resorts with his wife, and spending time with his pride and joy; daughter Katie, son-in-law Mike (Both Educators), and adorable grandchildren Kelsey and Ryan.
“It is such an unbelievable honor to be nominated as Deputy Grand Marshal by my Brothers and Sisters of the Parade Committee for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade! I cannot thank them enough for this great honor to represent them and the Irish! I may have worked in Perth Amboy, but my heart was always in South Amboy!”
Joe Britton began his career in Law Enforcement as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Perth Amboy Police Department in 1974.
During his 30-year career, he worked in the Patrol, Traffic, and Investigative Divisions. Professionally, Joe is most proud of the time he spent working in the department’s Juvenile Aid Bureau. Promoted to Detective Sergeant, he became only the third Commander of the Bureau since it was established in 1954, ironically, the year of Joe’s birth. During his tenure in the Juvenile Bureau, he implemented many new and innovative programs that significantly reduced juvenile crime and empowered juvenile crime victims. During this tenure, juvenile crime was reduced by 58% in the city.
Before his retirement in 2007, he was appointed by then Governor Whitman to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice (Establishing the Juvenile Justice Commission and revising juvenile laws), Governor’s Community Notification Advisory Council (Establishing Meagan’s Law) and Governor’s Juvenile Justice; Delinquency Prevention Advisory Committee (Administers all Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds in the state. By appointing Joe to these committees, the Governor gave a true voice for all the law enforcement members who look to protect our youth, our greatest resource.
Once retired, Joe dedicated much of his time to volunteering, including working with the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, the Ukrainian Assumption Church Holy Name Society (serving as President), and the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
He is also a member of his beloved Colonel D.B. Kelly Division #1 Ancient Order of Hibernians, South Amboy (2-time Past President), and the Ancient Order of Hibernians County Board, serving as President, as well as the Retired Policemen and Firemen’s Association Local #9, where he serves as Vice President. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #80, the San Salvatore Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 21.
Joe has a long connection to the City of South Amboy. The city was always a place where he could go, relax, and just be Joe as he spent time with schoolmate Bob Heiser and buddies at the Landmark or at the Hibernians or enjoying pizza at Harbor Lights. Joe also finds time to play golf, bowl, and travel to golf resorts with his wife, and spending time with his pride and joy; daughter Katie, son-in-law Mike (Both Educators), and adorable grandchildren Kelsey and Ryan.
“It is such an unbelievable honor to be nominated as Deputy Grand Marshal by my Brothers and Sisters of the Parade Committee for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade! I cannot thank them enough for this great honor to represent them and the Irish! I may have worked in Perth Amboy, but my heart was always in South Amboy!”