The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County has named NJ State Senator Michael Doherty (23rd District) as Grand Marshal for the 2018 FSSP St. Patrick's Day Parade, and FSSP founder and local business man Mr. Bill Healy has been named 2018 FSSP Irishman of the Year.
Both men will be honored by thousands of spectators and well-wishers at the 5th Annual FSSP St. Patrick's Day Parade in Clinton, NJ on Sunday, March 11th, 2018 and at the FSSP Annual Dinner Dance being held on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at the Hunterdon Playhouse in Hampton, NJ along with over 200 Irishmen and Irishwomen who will gather to dine, dance and celebrate their Irish heritage.
FSSP President Brian Manning paid tribute to both honorees. "Senator Doherty epitomizes and embodies the Friendly Son's core values of community and service and we are hugely honored to be able to recognize the Senator's contribution to the nation through his military service, and to the people of Hunterdon County as a public servant. Mr. Healy, a native of Waterford, Ireland has been a fixture of the commercial and social fabric of Clinton, NJ for over 25 years through his landmark crystal showroom. In 2008, Bill was one of the first members of the FSSP, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, and will surpass $250,000 in donations to the less fortunate, sick and needy in Hunterdon County this year. None of this would have been possible without the tremendous work of Mr. Healy and the founders of the FSSP. We are justifiably proud to have such worthy pillars of the community to recognize, along with their families, as part of our 2018 St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrations."
On Sunday March 11th, 2018 at 3:00 PM, the FSSP will host the 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade through the Town of Clinton. The Parade will highlight Irish-American traditions and culture, including 5 Pipe & Drum bands, along with world class Irish dancers, musicians, singers, public service groups, veterans, canine groups and much more.
Local businesses that are major Parade co-sponsors include Argus Technology, Frey Engineering, Unity Bank, ShopRite Wines & Spirits, CenturyLink, Cryans Tavern, Montrose Molders, The Holiday Inn Clinton, Provident Bank, Stone Hill Financial, Ricoh US and Bill Healy Designs. Additional support comes from Weichert Realtors, The Office of Mr. John Lanza-Freeholder, Hunterdon Healthcare, Kotalic Lawn Doctor, True & Associates, and Mr. & Mrs. Tom & Denise McFadden.
The FSSP are also hosting a St. Patrick's Day Parade AfterParty at the Red Mill Museum Village immediately following the Parade with music provided by The Patrick Clifford Band. Tickets for the Dinner Dance (priced $65) and the AfterParty ($30 for 21+, $10 under 21) are available from www.FSSPHunterdon.com For additional information contact FSSPHunterdon@gmail.com.
Senator Michael J. Doherty was born in Point Pleasant, NJ and resides in Washington Township, NJ with his wife Linda. Mike grew up in Glen Ridge, NJ and graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1981.
Senator Doherty's greatest honor was serving in the United States Army. In 1985, he graduated from West Point, and was commissioned as an officer in the Field Artillery. Mike served on active duty in the United States Army from 1985 to 1989 and in the United States Army Reserve from 1989 to 1993. He achieved the rank of Captain. In the Army, he was stationed in Germany and served as a nuclear operations officer. His unit's mission was to utilize nuclear armed missiles to defend Western Europe and NATO forces from possible Soviet aggression. Mike is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School, the U.S. Army Jungle School and the Defense Language Institute (German). In 1993, he was awarded a Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. Senator Doherty is a registered patent attorney and is proprietor of an intellectual property law firm based in Washington, NJ.
Senator Doherty is currently serving in his fourth term in the New Jersey State Senate as a representative of the 23rd Legislative District, which covers parts of Hunterdon, Warren and Somerset counties, having taken over the seat of Rep. Leonard Lance when he was elected to Congress in 2008. Before being elected to the General Assembly, Doherty served on the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders from January 2001 through December 2003. In 2001, he served as Deputy Director of the Freeholder Board. He was elected to serve as the Director of the Freeholder Board in both 2002 and 2003.
Mike's Irish ancestors hail from Dublin who made their way to the USA in 1890. He is extremely proud of his Irish heritage and is keenly aware of the tremendous contributions that Americans of Irish descent have made to our great country. He has visited Ireland on multiple occasions and he's proud to admit to kissing the Blarney Stone, while his favorite spot is the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry. Mike and his wife, Linda, have been happily married for 32 years. They are parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Church in Oxford, NJ, were Linda serves as a Eucharistic minister. Mike and Linda have three sons who have all served on active duty in the military. Their oldest son, Matthew, served in the United States Army, their second son, Ryan, served in the United States Marine Corps, and their youngest son, Jared, continues to serve in the United States Air Force. Mike and Linda also have one grandson, Michael.
In many ways, Mr. Bill Healy is recognized as the heart and soul of the Friendly Sons. He joined the FSSP in 2008 and since then he's played a pivotal a role in the continued growth of the organization from a small core of dedicated members to over 100 brothers today. Bill has been a key member of the commercial life in Clinton, NJ with Bill Healy Designs, the artisanal crystal showroom where, until recently, he and his wife Michelle have operated. Bill is known throughout Hunterdon County as an artist, Friendly Son, gentleman and friend to all.
Bill was born in Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland and grew up in Carrigeen, Moincoin, Co. Kilkenny where his parents Bill and Margaret still reside. On July 25th, 1973 Bill walked through the doors of the famous Waterford Crystal Ireland to be an apprentice cutter and eventually rose to be a Master Cutter and Designer of the finest glass crystal in the world.
In 1989, he left Waterford at the invitation of Baccarat to join their workshops in eastern France. Then in 1990, Bill received an offer from Lenox Crystal of Pittsburgh, PA and it was there that he met his wife Michelle. Together, they opened Bill Healy Crystal in Flemington, NJ in 1992 and shortly afterwards were joined by Bill's son Billy who came over from Ireland. The business was moved to Clinton, NJ in 2009 with the opening of Bill Healy Designs on Main St. Bill and his son also operate a glass factory and workshop in Easton, PA.
Bill is tremendously active in many commercial and altruistic endeavors in Hunterdon County. Currently, Bill is President of The Guild of Clinton, and sits on the board of Crime Stoppers of Hunterdon County and the Safe in Hunterdon organization. He's been a member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians for 25 years and former Chair of the FSSP Funding Committee and remains a brother and a Board member of The Friendly Sons.
Bill and his wife Michelle make their home in Annandale, NJ. Bill has three wonderful children, Bill and Jean, and his daughter with Michelle, Alana who is studying pre-med at the University of Delaware, along with four grandchildren Norah, Shane, Fiona & Carly. Bill is a congregant of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ. The Healy family retain strong family connections to Ireland & Pittsburgh and Bill makes frequent visits back to his homeland to visit his parents, family and friends.
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that aims to promote, embrace and enjoy Irish-American culture in a positive and progressive manner. Founded in 2008, the FSSP also raises and distributes funds to families impacted by medical bills, assists children with disabilities and supports Non-Profit Organizations that benefit people in need. The FSSP has raised and distributed more than $250,000 to worthy causes across Hunterdon Co over the past 10 years. The FSSP always welcomes new members and holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Clinton Elks, 211 Sidney Rd, Pittstown, NJ 08867 at 8:00 PM. For more information on membership or philanthropic support, contact FSSPHunterdon@gmail.com.