Nutley Parade Organizers, Pastor Honored For Italian Heritage Month

BELLEVILLE-NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Committee was recently honored for its contributions to the community as part of an annual Italian Heritage Month celebration.

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners also paid tribute to another local resident at their 2023 celebration: the Rev. Thomas Nicastro, pastor at St. Mary’s Church of Nutley.

The commissioners gathered to paid tribute to the above community leaders – as well as several others in the county – earlier this month. The annual gala is held to “celebrate the accomplishments of men and women of Italian heritage everywhere, and honor outstanding Essex County citizens for their unique contributions to our county and society as a whole.”

Here’s why the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Committee earned a nod this year, according to a statement from the board:

BORN OUT OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT - “The Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Committee, presented by Commissioner Leonard Luciano, was born out of a community spirit that encompassed the local Italian Americans living in Nutley and Belleville. Back in the early 1980's the parade committee was founded by Belleville resident Vincent "Jimmy" Donadia and Nutley resident John V. Kelly. Now in its 36th year, the parade continues to grow with each year improving on the last while at the same time holding on to the vision inspired by the original founders. Also acknowledged were the 2023 Parade Honorees: Cavalieres Maria and Vincenzo DiPaolo – Grand Marshals; Elisabetta Calello – Lifetime Achievement Award; Dennis A. Genuario – Italian Heritage Award; Renee Friscia Cahill (State Farm Insurance) – Italian Business Leader of the Year; Daniel A. Carnicella – Nutley Italian Man of the Year; Linda Monterosa – Nutley Italian Woman of the Year; Peter E Caggiano – Belleville Italian Man of the Year; Frances H. Bacardi – Belleville Italian Woman of the Year; Charla Macaluso – Renaissance Man; Cavaliere Eric J. Lavin – Renaissance Man; and Matthew Tyahla – Community Excellence Award.”

Meanwhile, here’s why Nicastro earned an award:

LONGTIME CLERGY MEMBER - “The Very Rev. Thomas D. Nicastro, V.F., M.Div., presented by Commissioner Leonard Luciano, was born on February 8, 1961, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church, and attended Essex Catholic High School in Newark, graduating in 1979 with honors in religion. The Rev. Nicastro attended Seton Hall University and the College of Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, receiving a B.A. in modern languages. He completed his theological studies for the Roman Catholic priesthood on May 22, 1989, receiving Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral ministry from Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange. Thomas was ordained a transitional deacon in 1989, and ordained to the sacred priesthood in 1990, for service in the Bridgeport Diocese. In 2003, the Rev. Nicastro was released to serve in the Archdiocese of Newark, and in 2008 he was incardinated there. He has since served in various parishes in the Archdiocese. In 2020, he became the administrator of St. Mary’s, Nutley and in 2021 was installed as the 14th Pastor of St. Mary’s. He has also served as Chaplain for a wide range of organizations: the Belleville Police Department, the St. Mary's Council Knights of Columbus (2011), the Nutley P.B.A., Nutley Police Department (2012), the West Essex Chapter of UNICO National, the Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey, the St. Gerard Men's Society and Ladies Guild of Newark, the Columbian Foundation, and the Rosary prayer group of North Caldwell. In August 2023, Father Nicastro was appointed to a five-year term as Dean of Deanery 16, (Vicar Forane), receiving the title Very Reverend. On December 9, he will be knighted in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Piedmont.”

Other 2023 awardees included Richard Vallario, an attorney and community leader in Livingston, and Giuseppe Joseph Ottaiano, the owner of Calabria Restaurant and Pizzeria in Livingston.

“Today, we celebrate Italian heritage, culture, and the contributions of some of our finest Essex County residents of Italian descent,” Luciano said. “As an Italian-American, I am proud to take part in tonight’s ceremony.

“We salute all of our honorees for their tremendous efforts – we have all benefitted as a community because of your contributions,” Luciano said. “Thank you for all you do and congratulations.”

“I am honored to be here alongside my commissioner colleagues to celebrate Italian Heritage, and recognize the achievements of a few members of the Italian-American community here in Essex County,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said.

“Tonight, we are thrilled to honor Italian-Americans who have worked hard, are successful and – most importantly – have given back to their communities,” Gill added.

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