US Army Veteran Thomas Cellilli, Jr. Named 2020 Hillsborough Grand Marshal

Hillsborough Township 379 South  Branch Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Phone (908) 369-4313

Fax (908) 369-6034

News Release

Contact:  Mayor Doug Tomson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Phone:    908-369-3535 April 28, 2020

US Army Veteran Thomas Cellilli, Jr. 

Named 2020 Hillsborough Grand Marshal

Mayor Doug Tomson announced that Hillsborough resident Thomas Cellilli, Jr., an Army Veteran has been named Hillsborough Township’s Grand Marshal for 2020.  

“Yes, we are still naming a Grand Marshal for 2020 and Mr. Cellilli will carry over as Grand Marshal 2021 Memorial Day Parade,” stated Mayor Doug Tomson during the announcement at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting.  

“Planning for the event started before COVID-19 and typically we announce the Grand Marshal in late April or early May.  I realize it seems confusing that we are announcing the cancellation of the event but still announcing a Grand Marshal.  Mr. Cellilli was selected before the pandemic caused the cancellation of public events and we felt it still appropriate to honor him despite the event not happening this year.  Mr. Cellilli will represent the Township for the remainder of the year as restrictions are lifted,” added Mayor Tomson.

Veteran Cellilli was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts and has been a 40 year Hillsborough resident with his wife of 52 years, Philomena.  They have two sons, four grandsons, two granddaughters and a great granddaughter.  Veteran Cellilli enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam Conflict and he completed basic training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA.  Veteran Cellilli attained the Rank of E-5 and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service Overseas while managing the Classified Message Center and the highly classified Operation Command Post in the Sky.  

Veteran Cellilli is a lifetime member of the VFW Post #8371 and has served as a Trustee and Post Adjutant and currently holds the position of Post Commander since 2018. Veteran Cellilli also holds posts, volunteers or is involved with the VFW District 15 Senior Command Staff, the Somerville, NJ Disabled American Vets Chapter 16, Committees in Hillsborough Township, Mary, Mother of God R.C. Church and UNICO Service Organization Membership.  

Veteran Cellilli began his career in the private sector at Allstate Insurance Company as a licensed sales representative and progressed to managing various NJ Claims Offices. Veteran Cellili went on to create the first Allstate Underwriting Fraud Investigation Unit in the country and served on various NJ State Boards with regards to insurance fraud prevention. Veteran Cellilli was also the Chief Operating Officer of both Penn Executive Diagnostic Center Inc. and Pattern Analysis Inc and has also volunteered for pro bono work for the New Jersey Special Investigators Association. 

While municipal services are operational, despite the building being closed to the public, many programs and events are being canceled.  For up to date information on cancellations, please visit the Township website at www.hillsborough-nj.org.

For more information or questions about COVID 19, please see below for credible public resources:

www.cdc.gov

https://covid19.nj.gov/

www.hillsborough-nj.org

State of NJ dial : 211, or 1-800-962-1253

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