The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is proud to announce that Dennis Filippone has been selected to serve as the Grand Marshal of 27th Annual celebration. The parade will be held on Sunday, October 7, in conjunction with a three-day Italian Festival beginning on October 5.
“Every year we are faced with the difficult task of selecting one person from the many deserving candidates to serve as the ceremonial leader of our Parade and Italian Festival,” said Screening Committee Co-Chair Phyllis Shindle. “After thoroughly reviewing and considering all the candidates this year, the screening committee felt that although several terrific nominations were submitted, Dennis Filippone should be our Grand Marshal. Dennis’ community involvement and leadership over the years in the Brick Township School System contributed to our decision. Especially for his efforts to bring ethnic heritage and culture into the school system,” Shindle added.
Dennis and his wife of 36 years, Dr. Christine Filippone, reside in Lacey, New Jersey. They have two children, Angie and Marie and are also the proud grandparents of Kaia. Mr. Filippone is a 1974 graduate of Brick Township High School and received his degree from Southern Connecticut University in 1978. After his graduation from college, Dennis returned to the Brick Township School System as a special education teacher at the Lake Riviera Middle School. In 1995, he was appointed assistant principal of Brick Township High School and served in that capacity until he was appointed principal of the Osbornville Elementary School in 1999. Four years later, he returned to Brick Township High School as principal and served in that capacity until 2016, when he was appointed Director of Planning, Research & Evaluation for the school system. In 2017, he was appointed Interim Superintendent while the district searched for a new superintendent and will resume his prior position as Director of Planning, Research & Evaluation when the new superintendent is appointed.
He has or is currently serving Brick Township, Toms River and the County of Ocean on several boards or committees, including the Governor’s Drug and Alcohol Council, BMAC, Ocean County YMCA, Relay for Life, Toms River Planning Board, Dart Coalition, Lacey School District Education Foundation, Ocean County’s Fatality Review Committee and Superintendent of the Challenger League.
“Dennis stood out among this year’s nominees because of his commitment to the education of our youth in the school system and especially for his efforts over the last several years to bring more culture and heritage into Brick Township’s high schools,” said Parade Chairman Michael Blandina.
Please join the celebration on June 14, when the committee will host Dennis Filippone at a special dinner dance at the Crystal Point Yacht Club, Route 70, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, beginning at 6:30 pm. Anyone interested in attending, placing an ad in the ad journal, sponsoring the event, joining the parade committee or wishing any other information regarding this year’s Parade and Italian Festival and accompanying events may contact Michael at 732-477-6507 or e-mail the committee at [email protected].
