South Amboy St. Patrick's Day Parade
Honorees
Grand Marshal - Mark Herdman
The Parade Committee is proud to announce that Mark Herdman will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 South Amboy St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Mark Herdman’s role as the city’s OEM coordinator is to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates community resources to protect lives, property and the environment through mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from all natural and man-made hazards that may impact the city. When informed that he was elected to serve as Grand Marshal Mark responded, “ I am both honored and humbled to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2025 parade. I would like to thank the parade committee for considering me for this position.”
A resident of South Amboy since 1980 Mark has dedicated countless hours to his community. Having served as the Deputy OEM Coordinator from 2003 through 2013, Mark received the title of OEM Coordinator in 2013 and continues to hold this position. “My role as OEM coordinator requires me to conduct emergency management operations, including alerting, mobilizing, coordination and directing activities which may take me away from my family for hours or even days. I would not be able to accomplish all that I am able to do without the love, support and understanding of my wife Sue and my children Andrea and Steven.”
In addition to his OEM responsibilities, Mark became a volunteer fireman in 1982 and rose through the ranks over the years, serving as Fire Chief from 2000-2003 and has been an Honorary Member of the First Aid Squad since 1988.
Mark has spent many years since 1995 coaching girls’ and boys’ softball, baseball, basketball and football for various local organizations.
During the recent COVID pandemic, Mark worked with a local Food Pantry and the First Aid Squad members to provide food and supplies to families.
Mark Herdman’s role as the city’s OEM coordinator is to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates community resources to protect lives, property and the environment through mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from all natural and man-made hazards that may impact the city. When informed that he was elected to serve as Grand Marshal Mark responded, “ I am both honored and humbled to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2025 parade. I would like to thank the parade committee for considering me for this position.”
A resident of South Amboy since 1980 Mark has dedicated countless hours to his community. Having served as the Deputy OEM Coordinator from 2003 through 2013, Mark received the title of OEM Coordinator in 2013 and continues to hold this position. “My role as OEM coordinator requires me to conduct emergency management operations, including alerting, mobilizing, coordination and directing activities which may take me away from my family for hours or even days. I would not be able to accomplish all that I am able to do without the love, support and understanding of my wife Sue and my children Andrea and Steven.”
In addition to his OEM responsibilities, Mark became a volunteer fireman in 1982 and rose through the ranks over the years, serving as Fire Chief from 2000-2003 and has been an Honorary Member of the First Aid Squad since 1988.
Mark has spent many years since 1995 coaching girls’ and boys’ softball, baseball, basketball and football for various local organizations.
During the recent COVID pandemic, Mark worked with a local Food Pantry and the First Aid Squad members to provide food and supplies to families.
Deputy Grand Marshal - Fr. Stanley Gromadzki
Father Stanley Gromadzki (aka Father Stan) has been named the 2025 Deputy Grand Marshal. Father stated “I am ecstatic, honored and humbled that the parade committee would bestow this honor on me. I am truly grateful".
Born in Poland, at the age of 13, Father Stan and his family immigrated to the United States in 1976. The family settled in Perth Amboy where Father Stan graduated from Perth Amboy High School. He attended Seton Hall University where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Psychology before attending St. Mary Mount Seminary, Maryland.
Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in May of 1989 he began caring for parishioners at St. Peter the Apostle Community Parish in New Brunswick. On September 8, 1998, he was installed as the tenth pastor of St. Mary of Ostrabrama R.C. Church of South River where he remained for 15 years. Here he set to work making much needed restorations to the school building, refurbishing the school auditorium and restoring the entire lower level of the church. During his tenure, St. Mary’s celebrated it Centennial and Father Stan oversaw the planning of the celebration as well as the work needed to ensure the church would shine during this milestone event.
After 15 years at St. Mary’s, Father Stan was installed as pastor at Sacred Heart R. C. Church, South Amboy, on June 16, 2013. Following his departure from St. Mary’s, the younger brother of Father Stan, Reverend Michael J Gromadzki, was installed as its new pastor. As a result, they are the first two brothers serving the Catholic community within the Diocese of Metuchen.
In 2020, under the direction of Father Stan, Sacred Heart Church began exploring the needs for a Spanish Ministry which is offered to Hispanic communities within South Amboy, Sayreville, Old Bridge and the surrounding area. He is happy to report that the Spanish community was receptive to the idea and their numbers are growing within the parish.
A 35-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Stan serves as the Chaplin of the South Amboy council. Father Stan has been active in supporting local organizations and celebrated a formal mass on May 19, 2024, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the Knight of Columbus Council #426, South Amboy. He also serves as the Chaplin of the N.J. Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, the Knights of Columbus Council #426, and Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the South Amboy Fire Department, a position which allows him to be on scene during fires and emergencies to assist victims, family members and others dealing with the trauma of the situation.
A warm, charismatic man, Father Stan cares for and ministers to his congregation and community with humor, honesty and love. An avid fresh and saltwater fisherman, Father Stan fishes the local bays and ocean as well as sites in Lake Charleston, Canada and Isle of Mirada, Florida. When asked where his favorite fishing spot was located, Father Stan replied with a twinkle in his eye, “A good fisherman never reveals his hot spots.”
Born in Poland, at the age of 13, Father Stan and his family immigrated to the United States in 1976. The family settled in Perth Amboy where Father Stan graduated from Perth Amboy High School. He attended Seton Hall University where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Psychology before attending St. Mary Mount Seminary, Maryland.
Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in May of 1989 he began caring for parishioners at St. Peter the Apostle Community Parish in New Brunswick. On September 8, 1998, he was installed as the tenth pastor of St. Mary of Ostrabrama R.C. Church of South River where he remained for 15 years. Here he set to work making much needed restorations to the school building, refurbishing the school auditorium and restoring the entire lower level of the church. During his tenure, St. Mary’s celebrated it Centennial and Father Stan oversaw the planning of the celebration as well as the work needed to ensure the church would shine during this milestone event.
After 15 years at St. Mary’s, Father Stan was installed as pastor at Sacred Heart R. C. Church, South Amboy, on June 16, 2013. Following his departure from St. Mary’s, the younger brother of Father Stan, Reverend Michael J Gromadzki, was installed as its new pastor. As a result, they are the first two brothers serving the Catholic community within the Diocese of Metuchen.
In 2020, under the direction of Father Stan, Sacred Heart Church began exploring the needs for a Spanish Ministry which is offered to Hispanic communities within South Amboy, Sayreville, Old Bridge and the surrounding area. He is happy to report that the Spanish community was receptive to the idea and their numbers are growing within the parish.
A 35-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Stan serves as the Chaplin of the South Amboy council. Father Stan has been active in supporting local organizations and celebrated a formal mass on May 19, 2024, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the Knight of Columbus Council #426, South Amboy. He also serves as the Chaplin of the N.J. Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, the Knights of Columbus Council #426, and Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the South Amboy Fire Department, a position which allows him to be on scene during fires and emergencies to assist victims, family members and others dealing with the trauma of the situation.
A warm, charismatic man, Father Stan cares for and ministers to his congregation and community with humor, honesty and love. An avid fresh and saltwater fisherman, Father Stan fishes the local bays and ocean as well as sites in Lake Charleston, Canada and Isle of Mirada, Florida. When asked where his favorite fishing spot was located, Father Stan replied with a twinkle in his eye, “A good fisherman never reveals his hot spots.”
Honorary Grand Marshal - Donna Williams
The 2025 Honorary Grand Marshal, Donna Williams, has been nominated due to her active volunteerism throughout the City of South Amboy. Donna willingly donates her time and expertise helping others through her involvement in many charitable organizations.
Raised in Rahway, NJ and a 22-year resident of Parlin, Donna along with her husband Jan, have epitomized the definition of volunteer. With a total of 51 years in the airline industry, Donna held a customer service position with both Eastern and Continental/United Airlines serving travelers at Newark International Airport.
Brought up in a home where volunteering was encouraged, Mrs. Williams is an active member of the South Amboy Columbiettes, a women’s auxiliary council affiliated with the South Amboy Knights of Columbus. Donna is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Luke A. Lovely American Legion Post #62, the South Amboy and Rahway Historical Societies, the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and serves as the President of the Eastern Airlines Retiree Association, NJ Chapter. Donna is a communicant of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, South Amboy. Most recently, Donna volunteered her time at city’s South Amboy Day festival as a member of the South Amboy t. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
During the COVID pandemic, Donna served as volunteer for the Middlesex County Department of Health at various vaccine clinics assisting and directing individuals waiting to receive their vaccinations.
An avid reader, Donna enjoys walks along the Raritan Bay Waterfront, weekly Sunday dinners with friends and day trips either by car or flying with her husband Jan, a private pilot.
“It is a great honor to be awarded this recognition. Volunteering has allowed me to stay active, build relationships, friendships, and learn more about my community and neighbors. By working with other organizations that I am not actively involved with, I am able to work behind the scenes assisting them in various ways. I feel truly blessed that I am able to help others.”
Raised in Rahway, NJ and a 22-year resident of Parlin, Donna along with her husband Jan, have epitomized the definition of volunteer. With a total of 51 years in the airline industry, Donna held a customer service position with both Eastern and Continental/United Airlines serving travelers at Newark International Airport.
Brought up in a home where volunteering was encouraged, Mrs. Williams is an active member of the South Amboy Columbiettes, a women’s auxiliary council affiliated with the South Amboy Knights of Columbus. Donna is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Luke A. Lovely American Legion Post #62, the South Amboy and Rahway Historical Societies, the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and serves as the President of the Eastern Airlines Retiree Association, NJ Chapter. Donna is a communicant of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, South Amboy. Most recently, Donna volunteered her time at city’s South Amboy Day festival as a member of the South Amboy t. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
During the COVID pandemic, Donna served as volunteer for the Middlesex County Department of Health at various vaccine clinics assisting and directing individuals waiting to receive their vaccinations.
An avid reader, Donna enjoys walks along the Raritan Bay Waterfront, weekly Sunday dinners with friends and day trips either by car or flying with her husband Jan, a private pilot.
“It is a great honor to be awarded this recognition. Volunteering has allowed me to stay active, build relationships, friendships, and learn more about my community and neighbors. By working with other organizations that I am not actively involved with, I am able to work behind the scenes assisting them in various ways. I feel truly blessed that I am able to help others.”