Parade History

Radnor Township Memorial Day Parade Committee — Present to 1986

The Radnor Township Memorial Day Parade is held each year on Memorial Day — the last Monday in May — to honor the Americans who gave their lives in service to the United States. The parade steps off at 9:45 AM, rain or shine, and concludes with a brief Memorial Ceremony at the corner of Runnymede and South Wayne Avenues. Active and retired military personnel, veterans’ organizations, scouts, civic groups, first responders, and antique car enthusiasts all take part.

The record below traces the Grand Marshals, Guest Speakers, and clergy who have led the ceremony since 1986. Many names recur across the decades — military officers, longtime residents, and pastors from Radnor’s churches — a reflection of the sustained commitment that keeps this tradition alive.

Year / Chairman Grand Marshal Guest Speaker Invocation Benediction
2026Neal Fulton The Whiteman FamilyGold Star Family Joseph & Virginia Maguire — —
2025Neal Fulton Joseph R. & Virginia C. Maguire Lt. James C. Ask Father Joseph L. Narog, OSAPastor, St. Thomas of Villanova Father Joseph L. Narog, OSAPastor, St. Thomas of Villanova
2024Neal Fulton Douglas Felske Col. Stuart HelgesonVFMA Pam ScottAmerican Legion Post #668 Donna WattererAmerican Legion Post #668
2023Neal Fulton John Hespodar, Jr. John Nagle Rev. Dr. Manuel HowardSt. John’s AME Church Rev. Joseph SmithSt. Mary’s Episcopal
2022Neal Fulton Marsha Four Cpt. Hope Williamson Rev. Anne DurrSt. Mary’s Episcopal Rev. Veronika TravisSt. Mary’s Episcopal
2021Neal Fulton Robert Shaner Cpt. J.J. Williamson Monsignor Hans BrowersSt. Katherine Rev. Joseph SmithSt. Mary’s Episcopal
2020Neal Fulton Bob Filipone Lt. Donald Curley Rev. Joseph SmithSt. Mary’s Episcopal Rev. Joseph SmithSt. Mary’s Episcopal
2019Neal Fulton Richard Guyer Col. John Church Rev. Casey ThompsonWayne Presbyterian Rev. Joseph Genito, OSASt. Thomas, Villanova
2018Neal Fulton James Higgins Gen. Walter LordVFMA Dr. Christopher BishopSt. Martin’s Episcopal Chaplain Manuel HowardRadnor Township
2017Neal Fulton Donald Wood Col. John Church Monsignor Hans BrowersSt. Katherine Tom WalshChurch of the Saviour
2016Neal Fulton Brian Nicholson Col. William J. Gallagher Pastor Tom EbersoleWayne Methodist Marty CostelloAmerican Legion
2015Neal Fulton Bob Hoyt Dennis Murphy Dr. Christopher BishopSaint Martin’s Church Rev. Father Kevin MoroneyChrist Church, Ithan
2014Neal Fulton Daniel J. Murphy Col. Richard Piscalc/o VFMA Rev. Anne Clark Duncanc/o Wayne Presbyterian Tom WalshChurch of the Saviour
2013Neal Fulton Cpl. Thomas TurnerUSMC Lt. Col. Gene Whitesidesc/o VFMA Rev. Morgan McLeanMain Line Unitarian Rev. Hillary RainingSt. David’s Episcopal
2012Neal Fulton Col. Julia Paparella Lt. Col. Shawn Phillipsc/o VFMA Rev. W. Frank AllenSt. David’s Episcopal Rev. Morgan McLeanUnitarian Church
2011Neal Fulton Brothers J.J. & Jon Williamson Col. David R. Grayc/o VFMA Monsignor Hans BrowersSt. Katherine Rev. Joseph DiPaolo
2010Neal Fulton Robert Domenick Col. James Doylec/o VFMA Rev. Michael PearsonSt. Mary’s Episcopal Rev. Joseph DiPaolo
2009Neal Fulton Joseph Paolantonio, Jr. Lt. Col. Gerard P. Tertychnyc/o VFMA Rev. Linda KerrSt. Martin’s Episcopal Rev. Joseph DiPaoloWayne United Methodist
2008Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Ltc. Herbert T. ArmstrongUSA (Ret) Ltc. John C. Church, Jr.USMC (Ret) Dr. Vincent di Gregoris, PhDCentral Baptist (Ret. Prof. Eastern College) Rev. Natalie MitchenSt. John’s AME
2007Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Dr. E. Lee Porter, MD Ltc. James A. HendricksUSA (Ret) Rev. Ronald N. PorterChrist Church at Ithan Rev. John RobinsonMain Line Unitarian
2006Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Capt. Luther SmithUSAF Col. James T. DoyleUSMC (Ret) Rev. Dr. John T. Galloway, Jr.Wayne Presbyterian Rev. Michael PearsonSt. Mary’s Episcopal
2005Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Arthur R. Lewis Dr. Gary R. Cooper, EdD Rev. Msgr. John J. Jagodzinski Rev. W. Frank Allen, Rector
2004Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD James Merriman Professor G.E. Patrick MurrayVFMC Rev. Joseph F. DiPaoloWayne United Methodist Kris KraihanzelPastor, Church of the Saviour
2003Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Ellen & George Aman Rev. Dr. Anthony Campolo Rev. Dr. Stephan R. PapaMain Line Unitarian The Rev. Douglas ScottSt. Martin’s Episcopal
2002Ronald W. Zartarian, DMD Dr. Eliot Bernstein RAdm. Peter A.C. Long Rev. Dr. Marcus PomeroyCentral Baptist Rev. Daniel J. HoyOur Lady of the Assumption
2001Bill Braxton Bernard “Bo” Conner James M. Pierce Rev. Ronald W. ParkerChrist Church at Ithan Rev. Janet JenkinsSt. John’s AME
2000Bill Braxton Graham D. Andrews John B. Fitzgerald, Jr. Rev. W. Frank AllenSt. David’s Episcopal Father Barry EvansSt. Mary’s Episcopal
1999Bill Braxton Bill Kenny Adm. Virgil Hill Msgr. John J. JagodzinskiSt. Katharine Rev. Steven HarbartsWayne Presbyterian
1998Bill Braxton Rose Haskil Graham Andrews Rev. Rich CravenChurch of the Saviour BGen. Alfred A. SanelliPost 418
1997Bob McCahan Betz Howell Rev. Dr. John T. Galloway Msgr. John J. JagodzinskiSt. Katherine’s Brig. Gen. Alfred SanelliV.F.M.A.
1996Bob McCahan Filomeno D’Amicantonio William Braxton Rev. Edwin GreenWayne United Methodist Rev. Douglas ScottSt. Martin’s
1995Bill Braxton Lee Janet McNeill Senator Richard Tilghman Rev. Donald HoyOur Lady of the Assumption Fr. Raymond AtleeSt. Mary’s
1994Doug Felske Alexander H. O’Neal, M.D. Charles Reilly Dr. John T. GallowayWayne Presbyterian Charles Walker, D.C.E.Wayne United Methodist
1993Doug Felske Dr. Harold Rowland Col. Dan McElwee Brig. Gen. Sanelli Msgr. JagodzinskiSt. Katherine’s
1992John Fischer James DittmarRadnor Twp. Dr. John DiFlaminis Rev. Jeanne B. WilliamsSt. John’s A.M.E. Dr. Mark LadbertonWayne Presbyterian
1991John Fischer Gulf War Veterans Adm. N. Ronald ThunmanVFMA Rev. Raymond Thomas2nd Baptist BG. Alfred A. SanelliVFMA
1990John Fischer John Capelli Fr. Raymond AtleeSt. Mary’s Rev. W. B. GreeleyMain Line Unitarian Fr. Peter FoleySt. Katherine’s
1989Bill Braxton Jules Falcone Jules Falcone Rev. James T. BeiselSt. Katherine’s Rev. Raymond AtleeSt. Mary’s
1988Bill Braxton Mrs. R. Norris Williams Bill Ehart Fr. Raymond AtleeSt. Mary’s Rev. James T. BeiselSt. Katherine’s
1987Bill Braxton Ralph DiMaio Elliott Bernstein Fr. Anthony M. GenoveseSt. Thomas of Villanova Rev. William DuffeySt. Martin’s
1986Betz Howell George Huggler Brig. Gen. Sanelli Fr. George McGee Rev. Raymond AtleeSaint Mary’s