Marshal picked for St. Pat's parade

Goshen — Joseph Ronald Heppes of Middletown will be the 35th grand marshal to lead the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade, to be held in Goshen on Sunday, March 13. Ron, as he is known, was born and raised in the Bronx and married his wife, Kay, in 1956. They have five sons and 12 grandchildren. His son Bob Heppes will be an aide to the grand marshal from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 4. Ron is a Korean War veteran who served in the Navy. He joined the New York State Police in 1955 and retired in 1978 as an investigator for the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Afterward he worked for a short time as an investigator for the Orange County Legal Aid Society before being hired as the Career Criminal Unit Coordinator for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, a position he held until his retirement in 1996. Among his many civic contributions: The Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Irish Heritage Festival, Middletown Little League coach and board member, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel CYO basketball coach, religious education catechist and Parent’s Guild, Board member for the Orange County CYO Athletic Committee, John S. Burke Parent’s and Booster Club, and Middletown Lion’s Club. He was also elected as the 4th Ward alderman to the City of Middletown Common Council. The parade in Goshen steps off at 2 p.m.