Joseph Dugett was born in Staten Island, New York in 1943. The son of
Joseph and Dorothy (Woods) Dugett. He is the older brother of Susan
(Dugett) Frenzel and Peter Dugett. He moved to Elizabeth when he was 12
years old. With the exception of 2 years in the U.S. Army Military
Police stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, and 10 years working in the
White House with the United States Secret Service - Uniformed Division,
he has resided in Union County. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High
School in Elizabeth and attended Northern Virginia Community College in
Manassas, Virginia. His family came from Ireland circa 1852 from County
Cork and County Louth. Over the years he has worked on his family
history, a very addictive hobby.
In 1971 Joe married Corinne Tanski of Elizabeth.
They celebrated their 37th Anniversary this year. Together they raised
3 children, Kelly, Kathleen and Joseph and have 4 wonderful
grandchildren.
Joe returned to Elizabeth and purchased Byrnes
Tavern on Pearl Street and after 10 years sold the business. He then
joined the Industrial Rubber Co. of Elizabeth as . Director of
Purchasing in 1988 and currently holds that position. Before moving
to Berkeley Heights, he was an Usher at St. Hedwig's Church in
Elizabeth. He is a founding member of the Thornsticks and has
coordinated the Mass at Saint Patrick's Church for 22 years, first on
Saint Patrick's Day and now moved to the Union County Parade Day. It is
the start of our celebration leading up to the Union County Saint
Patrick's Day Parade. He is a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of
Columbus #253, The Union County Emerald Society, Ancient Order of
Hibernians Daniel O'Connell Division, The Joseph Nugent, Sr.
Association, The American Legion Post 6. Joe is Assistant Scoutmaster
in Troop 23 of the Boy Scouts of America at St. Genevieve's Church, a
member of the Elizabeth Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. For
several years Joe hosted "The Irish Pavilion" at the Septemberfest held
in Elizabeth. It was a great 3-day celebration of our heritage that
brought Irish culture and businesses together before tens of thousands
of citizens throughout the area.
Joe has been an active and integral part of the
Union County Saint Patrick's Day Parade from it's beginning. He has
been on the Adjutants Staff for the life of the Parade, Adjutant,
Division Adjutant, the Parade Adjutant in 2005, past 2nd Vice Chairman,
and has run the Parade Super 50/50 for many years. Joe is always there
to help in whatever capacity needed. His ideas for organizing the line
of march and using signs to space the marching units has been a great
help over the years.
Joe Dugett was elected, unanimously, Grand Marshal of the 2009 Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade
