John “Jack” Downs of Madison has been named Parade Starter for the 2025 Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

A proud Irish American just shy of his 92nd birthday, Jack is excited and extremely honored to have been chosen to start this year’s parade.

The role of Parade Starter is bestowed on someone who has demonstrated exceptional service to the local community.

At noon on Saturday, March 15, all eyes will be on Jack as he cuts a green ribbon spanning South Street. Only then can the march proceed through downtown Morristown.

Jack’s Irish roots can be traced to his great-grandfather William Kelly, who left County Meath at the age of 16 during the Great Hunger. William traveled to New York as a crew member aboard the ship Cushla Machree. Within days of his arrival, he made his home in Madison.

Jack spent his early years in Madison and Kearny. He graduated from Kearny High School in 1952 and joined the United States Marine Corps that year. He served in Korea and Japan and then finished his service at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

At the age of 26, Jack joined the Kearny Police Department for a short time before transferring to the fire department. He soon met his wife, Anne. Together they raised three children in Madison.

Jack served with the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corp for several years, and became a member of the Knights of Columbus. He retired from the Kearny Fire Department in 1988 as a Captain with 29 years of service.

Jack has been involved with several Irish organizations. In the early 1960s, he was a charter member of the Newark based Emerald Pipe Band, where he learned to play the bagpipes.

He joined the Morris County Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Morris County Emerald Society in the mid-1980s. Around that time, Jack occasionally filled in as a bass drummer with the CúChullain Pipe Band, including once at the Newark St. Patrick’s Day parade.

While on a trip to Ireland with his sons in 1981, Jack discovered the rural village of Camp in County Kerry. A decade later, he and Anne returned and purchased a small farmhouse just outside the village in beautiful Gleann-na nGealt.

Jack proudly obtained his Irish citizenship. He was active in local groups such as the Kerry Archaeological Society, Twining and the Wednesday Walkers. Anne and Jack consider themselves fortunate to have enjoyed 30 years there, making many friends as community members in Camp.

Serving as Parade Starter is an ideal role for Jack, who has long fostered a love of Irish culture and always enjoys a good parade!

The 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Morris County will step off on South Street at noon on Saturday, March 15. To support the parade, please consider becoming a Parade Patron.