Thomas Cannan
2012 Deputy Grand Marshal

Thomas Cannan is a 2nd generation Irish-American born in Orange in 1965 to parents William and Maureen Cannan, he is the middle child of five, his siblings are Maureen, Bill, Bob and Matt. Raised in Maplewood he attended Our Lady of Sorrows School, like his siblings, father and grandmother. Tom's maternal Irish roots hail from Stradone and Kill, County Cavan. While he is of Irish ancestry on his paternal side, the Cannan Irish roots and Isle of Man roots need to be traced back many years and generations back to the Colonial days prior to the American Revolution. The Cannan children were raised to not only learn about their Irish heritage but to treasure it. Some of Tom's earliest recollections are marching in the Newark Parade with the Ruane Association along with Pop-Pop and Uncle Robert. Tom was named after his grandfather (Pop-Pop) Thomas J. Rudden, a recipient of the Irish Freedom Medal with the Comrac Bar, for his active participation in the fight for Irish independence.

Tom is married to Diane (Gibson) of Short Hills, who is also of Irish roots, they had their first date at Cryan's in South Orange and 4 days later confessed to each other that they will probably marry. Two years later they did and they have been married over 24 years and have two children T.J. (21) who is currently in the Marine Corps undergoing Force Reconnaissance training in Coronado, California, and Kelly Grace (19) a first year college student who managed a 4.0 GPA and Deans List her first semester. Tom and Diane have been very active in the Irish community, formerly residents of West Orange prior to moving to Pittstown, Hunterdon County in 2000. Diane and Tom have continued the tradition of celebrating their Irish heritage through many outlets, Tom is a member of the Essex County Emerald Society, the Emerald Pipe Band, Port Authority Police Pipes and Drums, and the Leatherneck Marines Pipe and Drums, a member of the Board of Trustees of The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and together Tom and Diane have been host parents to many children with Project Children. Project Children has become a passion of the Cannan Family, besides being a host family, they had been chairpersons of the Annual Project Children Dinner for many years and have continued their relationships with the children they have hosted and have become very dear friends of several families of West Belfast. Together they were invited to Belfast to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Project in Belfast from the Founder and Chairman of Project Children Denis Mulcahy. Tom has since been asked to serve as a personal aide to Denis Mulcahy, in matters relating to finance and stewardship of the program in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The experience with Project Children has continued with so many friends and associations they have in West Belfast. Tom is also a member of the Felon's Association on the Falls Road and The Andersonstown Social Club and P.D. Tom served as Chief of Staff to 2007 Deputy Grand Marshal Kenny McGuire.

Tom is a former United States Marine, retired Newark Police Officer, and presently the owner of Cannan Associates, Ltd. a General Contractor and Project Managers Firm. He is an avid golfer, and a Board Member of Oak Hill Golf Club, and member of Tri-County Golf and Moggy Brook golf clubs. His love and passion of the game is further fueled by working for the United States Golf Association, where he is responsible for player security at the Men's U.S. Open on the course. He is also a Certified Rules official for Golf, serving the Metropolitan Golf Association, The NCAA, The Ivy League and the USGA at qualifiers for many of the National Championships.

Tom is absolutely thrilled to be selected as a Deputy Grand Marshal for 2012, and looks forward to walking with his family up Main Street, knowing that his father, Uncle Robert Nana and Pop-Pop will be right there with him, maybe only in spirit, but with him nonetheless.