Woodbridge Police Officer Who Saved Man In Lightning Strike Honored

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The American Irish Association of Woodbridge recently elected Ben Campbell as president, and just wrapped up their third annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

As part of the day’s events, the Association held a community appreciate ceremony. They honored:

• Woodbridge Police Officer Robert "RJ" McPartland – He was honored because he saved the life of Woodbridge DPW worker Eric Baumgartner, after Baumgartner was struck by lightning on the soccer field at Iselin Middle School this past June. Read that story: Woodbridge DPW Worker Struck By Lightning Transferred To St. Barnabas
• Resident Mark Tolley – Leads Patriotic Bridges effort over the NJ Turnpike
• Sarah Jastrzembski – Woodbridge Township mobile health responder (the nurse who runs the new Woodbridge mobile health van)

The event was held at the American Irish’s new home, The Club Pub, in the rear of the Acacia Center at 95 Port Reading Avenue. This is the first permanent home of the Association.

While the Association was founded in 1966 they previously rented meeting halls around town. The Association is hopeful their permanent home will attract new members.

New officers include: President Ben Campbell, VP Mary Natale, Recording Secretary Laura Cahill, Corresponding Secretary Dan Harris, Financial Secretary Tammy McCormac, Treasurer Peggy Foley, Sergeant-at-Arms Pat Cahill and Directors Joan Dias, Nancy Egan, Ken Egan, Ed McSherry, Cindy Jacovinich & Ken Gardner.

While the Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Parade is their biggest event, there are many other ways they contribute to the community. The Woodbridge American Irish Association is an ethnic & civic organization that meets monthly, sponsors the Justin McCarthy Scholarship, maintains Charlie Shaughnessy Park, visits the Menlo Park Veterans Home and puts up handicap ramps around town, etc.

Their 2024 St. Patrick’s Parade will be Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. For more information about the Association go to AMERIRISH.COM; like them on Facebook: American Irish Association of Woodbridge

Original Patch report: Woodbridge DPW Worker Struck By Lightning On Soccer Field (June 2023)