Left to right: 2009 DGM Tom Conlon, UI President Kevin Quinn, 2009 Grand Marshal Sister Francis Raftery, UI Secretary Sean McDonald, 2009 DGM Michael Dolaghan
Grand Marshal: Sister Francis Raftery
Sister Francis Raftery was named sixth president of the College of Saint Elizabeth in January 1997. The former Provincial Superior of the Western Province of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and a recipient of the National Catholic Education Association's Outstanding Educator Award, Sister Francis served as chairperson of the Department of Education at the College from 1972 to 1986 and as a faculty member from 1964 to 1986.
Sister Francis holds a doctorate in education from New York University and a master of arts in guidance and counseling from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. A native of Kearny, NJ, she entered the Sisters of Charity after earning her bachelor's degree in early childhood/elementary education from New Jersey City University. She taught at the elementary and secondary levels before joining the College of Saint Elizabeth in 1964.
Sister Francis chaired the New Jersey Summit on Catholic Education, held at the College of Saint Elizabeth. During her tenure as an education professor and department chairperson, she designed and implemented the College's education major, its field experience component and its student/transfer advisement program. The College of Saint Elizabeth bestowed on her its prestigious Seton Award in 1991, for dedication and distinguished leadership in professional development of teachers. Sister Francis was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Seton Hall University in 2004. She was honored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 2005 and the Friends of Brian Boru, Inc. in 2007.
She served in Provincial administration for the Sisters of Charity from 1986 to 1997. In 1990, she became Provincial Superior, charged with the oversight of the 250-member province which included New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky and the Virgin Islands. Sister Francis also served as a member of the General Council for the Sisters of Charity from 1990-1997. She was chairman of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Corporation of St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic, NJ, a member of the Corporation and Board of Trustees of St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, NJ, and of Mount St. Andrew Villa in Paramus, NJ. She also has served on the Paterson Diocesan Board of Education, Archdiocese of Newark Task Force on Education and the New Jersey Bishops State Advisory Group for the Pastoral on Education.
Sister Francis is a past president of the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and has been active in the Teacher Education Roundtable, National Association of State Directors for Teacher Education Certification, National Catholic Education Association, New Jersey Education Association and American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
Presently, she is a member of the Board of Directors and President for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey; Chair for the New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities; a member of the Public Policy Committee and the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; a member of the New Jersey President's Council; a member of the Academic Issues Committee, as well as a member of the Executive Board for the Independent College Fund of New Jersey. In 2007, she was named to the Board of Directors of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
Among other current memberships:
The Independent College Fund of New Jersey
Morris County Chamber of Commerce Council
Honorary Trustee of the Morris Choral Society
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Board of Trustees - Women's College Coalition
Council of Independent Colleges
Morris Tomorrow
Board of Trustees - National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
American Council on Education
National Catholic Education Association
Association of Colleges and Universities
Sr. Raftery is incredibly proud of her strong Irish heritage and was honored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 2005 and the Friends of Brian Boru in 2007. On her election as 2009 Grand Marshal, Sr. Raftery said, “it is indeed an honor to be recognized by the United Irish Associations. My parents would be very proud.”
Deputy Grand Marshal: Thomas M. Conlon
Thomas M. Conlon has been a resident of East Newark and Harrison nearly all his life. Tom was raised in East Newark and has been a Harrison resident since 1971. He graduated from Holy Cross School and attended Harrison High School. Tom completed his BA at Jersey City State College and a Masters in Public Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Tom retired from the US Postal Service in 2002 and for several years thereafter taught at RETS Institute of Technology. After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the US Navy and selected the Submarine Service, an all volunteer branch of the Navy. Submariners comprise less than 7% of all Navy personnel. He qualified in Submarines in 1969 aboard the USS James K. Polk and subsequently served aboard the USS Francis Scott Key.
After leaving the Navy in 1973 Tom returned to Harrison, where he has been active in veterans' organizations, his church, and youth activities. In 1982, Tom and a like minded group of other submariners founded the NJ Base of the US Submarine Veterans, Inc., and served as Base Commander. Since Tom became a member of the US Submarine Veterans he's held a number of positions including NJ State Commander, National Secretary, National Junior and Senior Vice Commander. As the National Secretary, Tom rewrote the National By-Laws and Business Meeting Process of the US Submarine Veterans, Inc., and transitioned US Submarine Veterans into the digital age. From 2004 to 2008 Tom served as the National Commander of US Submarine Veterans. As National Commander, Tom has had the pleasure of being the guest of the Commander-Submarine Force Atlantic Fleeet at the annual Sailor of the Year presentation and has been a guest of the Smithsonian Institution for the opening of an exhibit of Submarines in the Cold War. In all, he has served on the national board of the Submarine Veterans for the past 11 years. Tom has been interviewed by local publications including NY Newsday and The Record on submarine topics and is a regular contributor to radio programs regarding submarines. Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of the NJ Naval Museum in Hackensack, NJ.
Tom has been a member of VFW Posts 340 and 1302, American Legion Post 282, Our Lady of Grace Council 402 and Msgr. G.H. Doane Assembly 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. Tom has been a lector at Holy Cross Church for over 30 years and is familiar to many for his annual service as Lector at the St. Patrick's Parade Mass, as the only Lector in memory to serve on the altar in a kilt. Tom has been an adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 304- Harrison for over 20 years and has served on the Boy Scouts District Advancement Committee since 2001. He has also served as an adult leader for the US Naval Sea Cadets.
Tom is married to Regina M. Conlon of Harrison and is a father of two children and grandfather to three children.
On his election as Deputy Grand Marshal, Conlon said, “I am deeply honored. This was totally unexpected.”
Deputy Grand Marshal: The Honorable Michael Dolaghan
Michael T. Dolaghan, a native of Harrison, graduated from Holy Cross School and Harrison High School. He worked for 40 years as a member of U.A. Steamfitters, Pipefitters, and Apprentices Local Union #475 in Newark where he served as President. He is currently the Supervisor of Maintenance for the Harrison Board of Education.
Dolaghan is the senior member of the Harrison Town Council and has chaired various committees including Public Works, Street Dept., Building & Grounds, Transportation, and Recreation. In past terms, he has served as President of the Council.
An avid reader, Dolaghan is deeply versed in his Irish heritage, and quite proud of his family roots in Harrison. He is grateful for the many friendships he has formed through the years with those involved with and who represent the various Irish-American organizations in the West Hudson area such as the Irish-American Assn. in Kearny, the Ironbound Irish-American Assn., the Cifelli Assn., Giblin Assn., and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh.
Dolaghan enjoys soccer and jazz, is a “die-hard” Yankees fan and identified his boyhood hero as Ted Williams.
On his election as Deputy Grand Marshal Dolaghan said, “I am filled with pride and a little humbled by this honor that the United Irish Associations have bestowed upon me. I will be proud to walk the parade route next to Sr. Francis and Mr. Conlon.”