Our Grand Marshal, John Carr was born in 1964 and traces his roots to Donegal on his father Jacks side and to Roscommon on his mother Sally’s side. He credits his parents and family for instilling a strong sense of pride in his Irish Heritage.

John was raised in Union N.J. and attended Holy Spirit Grammar School, Union Catholic High School and Seton Hall University.

John is currently employed with the NJ State Lottery as a sales representative in Ocean & Atlantic counties.

As a charter member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Jersey Shore Chapter, he has dedicated the past 20 years serving on the Executive Board as 1st and 2nd Keeper of Shillelagh, Corresponding Secretary, Trustee, Vice President and President. Some of John’s undertaking’s include Chairman of the ANNUAL TOY DRIVE COMMITTEE which benefits dozens of local charities and thousands of less fortunate families and individuals during the Holiday Season. It is estimated that over $750,000.00 in toys & gifts have been collected and distributed. He has also been instrumental in organizing the annual children’s Christmas party & Easter Egg Hunt for the members’ of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh’s children for over the past 12 years.

He has helped organized the Irish Heritage Night at Lakewood Blues Claws First Energy Park for over 10 years and the Shillelagh vs. New Jersey State Police charitable Softball games at Blues Claw Park, which raised $60,000 for Local Charities. He aligned himself with Michael’s Feat to help purchase high tech equipment for Jersey Shore University Medical Center Pediatric Unit as well as numerous other event, and drives for the benefit of local families in need.

In 2004 he was named Hometown Hero by the Asbury Press. In 2008, John was honored as the Irishman of the Year by the Friends of Brian Boru in Essex County. In 2009, he was honored as The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh’s “Irishman of the Year”. Mr. Carr served as Co-Chairman of the NJ Irish Festival in 2009 & 2010 and the 2011 General Chairman of the Irish Festival held at Monmouth Park Racetrack.

John’s selflessness and boundless energy is a source of inspiration to all who know him.

A man of many accomplishments, John is most proud of his 15 year old son, Evan Michael Carr.

Jane Catherine Guild was raised in Scarsdale, New York, and now resides in Wall Township, where she and her family have lived for the past 37 years. Jane comes from a large Irish-Catholic family and is one of eight children of the late Charles and Mary Rohrmann. Her paternal grandmother, Margaret Galligan, immigrated to NYC from County Meath in 1887. Her maternal ancestors, the Dooleys, the Hartens, and the Fitzpatricks, immigrated from Counties Down, Kilkenny, and Cavan.

Jane started visiting the Jersey Shore in 1970, frequenting the Belmar beach on weekends. She met her husband Bob that summer at Jerry Lynch’s, where he worked as an entertainer under the stage name of “Bobby Bluetooth.” They were married on July 11, 1972, at St. Rose Church in Belmar. Jerry Lynch, Grand Marshal of the 1982 parade, sang at their wedding, and Dave Stanley, Grand Marshal of the 1980 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Parade Chairman for many years, was Bob’s best man at their wedding.

A graduate of Berkley College, Jane worked in New York City for Exxon and IBM. She later worked at Hanover Insurance Company in Neptune while pursuing another degree at Brookdale Community College. Jane is presently employed as Vice President at H. Robert Guild Associates. Wall Township.

An active member of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Jane is an original member of the Jerry Lynch Club that was founded in 1973. She walked in the first parade in 1974. Jane was on the executive committee of C.A.P.E, Central Association of Parents and Educators at Central School, Wall Township. She is an active participant in humanitarian causes, including Breast Cancer Awareness and the SPCA.

Jane and Bob have been blessed with three children and one grandchild: Rob Guild, wife Lori, and grandchild Avery Mary of Red Bank, NJ; Suzanne Guild of Wall Township, NJ; and Amy Guild of Wall Township, NJ. Amy is engaged to be wed this June to Brian Dorgan of Eatontown, NJ.

Jane enjoys walking on the boardwalk in Belmar and Spring Lake. After her walks, she can be found drinking tea at Dunkin Donuts on Ocean Avenue in Belmar where she shares her home-baked cookies with her DD friends.