Borough of South Plainfield
     Public Celebrations Committee

Is Proud to Announce
that

 
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HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BE THIS YEAR'S

HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL

OF THE 51ST ANNUAL LABOR DAY PARADE
TO BE HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008
PARADE STARTS 10 A.M.
Rich has been a dedicated volunteer for the community of South Plainfield for many years. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus #6203 for over 30 years, a member of the Bishop Greco Assembly 4th Degree, a member of the Lions Club, a member and past Chaplin of the Elks #2298, an Honorary Member of the VFW #6763, South Plainfield PBA Local #100, and NY Chapter of 101st Airborne Assoc., former member of South Plainfield Jaycees, former member and past president of South Plainfield Volunteer Fire Dept. serving 4 terms as president, Life Member of South Plainfield Exempt Firemen’s Assoc. and NJ State Firemen’s Assoc. In 2005 Rich was proud to be presented with the Presidents Award by the South Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department for his tireless efforts in making the Firemen’s Memorial and Statute a reality in Monument Park.

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As a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church he was a member of the parish council, Eucharist Minister, St. Vincent DePaul Society and assisted with the Annual Bazaar for over 20 years.  Rich was a co-founder of
the South Plainfield Business Association and has also been a member of the South Plainfield Land Management Committee and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

In 1975, along with his brother, Bill, founded McCriskin Home for Funerals.  He was licensed as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science by the NJ Board of Mortuary Science in 1974.  He is a member and past president of the Middlesex-Somerset County Funeral Directors Assoc., member of NJ State Funeral Directors Assoc., and former member of Board of Directors (by invitation) of the NJ State Funeral Directors Assoc. Service Corp, appointed by Middlesex County Freeholders serving 10 years as Middlesex County Morguekeeper which is part of the Medical Examiner's Office.

One of Rich’s proudest moments is the annual Christmas tree lighting.  The tree lighting is dedicated to the 248 American soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 502 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland on December 12, 1985. On December 12, 1986 Rich and Bill dedicated the 85ft pine tree in front of McCriskin Home for Funerals in their honor and hold an annual tree lighting service to pay tribute to these fallen soldiers.

Rich is a life long resident of South Plainfield and resides with his wife, Dolores.  He was married to Kathy, his beloved wife of 27 years, until her untimely death in 2000, they had a son, Rick. When his son, Rick, was growing up he coached, managed and was a member of the South Plainfield Jr. Baseball Club, the Wrestling Club and Pop Warner Football.

Rich has dedicated his life to helping people in South Plainfield.  He has served our residents well during their time of need and has given back to our community in just about every way possible.

Rich McCriskin has made South Plainfield a better place to live and we salute him.

ast Honorary Grand Marshals  Are Iwpe29.jpg (3549 bytes)

 

All Past Honorary Grand Marshals Are Invited
To Sit On The Reviewing Stand To View The Parade