Grand Marshal

Francis R. Purvenas Sr., 66, the grand marshal of National Park's Memorial Day parade, collapsed and died of a heart attack shortly after the parade was completed Monday. Mr. Purvenas, one of the original members of the West Deptford police force and the former crime-prevention coordinator for Gloucester County, was stricken as he stood before a microphone at Red Bank Battlefield after walking the two-mile parade route. An ambulance unit that participated in the parade took Mr. Purvenas to Underwood-Memorial Hospital, Woodbury, where he was pronounced dead.

I think it's absolutely poetic that the Irish of Philadelphia would choose 1986 - the year of Aquino - to honor Jimmy Cavanaugh, of the colorful Cavanaugh saloon clan, by naming him grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade. It's a match made by the fates, for the Philippines are almost as much a part of Jimmy Cavanaugh as his native Mayo in the west of Ireland. The Philippines played a pivotal role in Jimmy Cavanaugh's youth. He paid his dues as an American in the Philippines.

The navy silk dress, decorated with white and red rectangles, had been carefully chosen. On the coffee table lay a copy of the poem "In Flanders Field" - which tells of young men killed in World War I - along with ribbons and medals denoting years of service to the American Legion Women's Auxiliary. Ruth Stoner was prepared. As the grand marshal for yesterday's Narberth Memorial Day Parade, the 90-year-old woman had an image to keep up. "The one thing about me is if I'm in anything, I'll give it my all," Stoner said Friday at her apartment in Narberth, where she has spent most of her life.

Despite his battle with the city, Camden's suspended police chief will serve as grand marshal in today's San Juan Bautista parade, the annual celebration of Puerto Rican pride. Chief Robert E. Allenbach was suspended with pay with intent to dismiss on March 6 by Camden's chief operating officer, Melvin "Randy" Primas, and Mayor Gwendolyn Faison after Allenbach was accused of failing to implement changes to the Police Department that had been recommended in a state audit. Allenbach is being paid his annual $120,000 salary while the city considers his employment status.

A parade along Chestnut Street in Center City yesterday marked the 175th anniversary of Greek independence. Drexel University president Constantine Papadakis was the grand marshal of the parade, sponsored by the Federation of Hellenic American Societies.

Parade lovers lined Frankford Avenue for the 19th Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade yesterday. Leading the floats and bands was Mayor Rendell, the grand marshal, and ending it was Santa Claus, who made his traditional entrance.

GETTING IN THE SPIRIT of the Pulaski Day Parade are Danuta Prusik of Paoli and Richard Lewandowski of Port Richmond. They were dancing for the Polish Intercollegiate Club in yesterday's parade, which took place under a brilliant blue sky along Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The annual parade honors Gen. Casimir Pulaski, a native of Poland who gave his life for American freedom during the Revolutionary War. U.S. Rep. Robert A. Borski (D., Pa.) was grand marshal.

Classic cars are zooming and sitting pretty at the Fairmount Park Vintage Grand Prix. In front of Memorial Hall, Belmont Avenue and North Concourse Drive, races and more continue today from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Vintage cars, new cars, model cars, toy cars and artwork of cars star. And there's Mario Andretti, grand marshal. Children's games, live entertainment and food also await. It's a benefit for Memorial Hall Restoration Fund. Admission is $5. Those under 12 get in free.

The annual Columbus Day Parade in South Philadelphia yesterday drew a varied crowd. A Mummer from the Goodtimers Club (above) watches at the end of the march. Dan Milano (at left) sells balloons at Marconi Plaza. Bishop McDevitt students (below, right) wave flags and the Knights of Columbus (below, left) parade on S. Broad Street. Singer Vic Damone was the grand marshal. City Council President Anna Verna and state Sen. Vince Fumo served as co-chairmen of the festivities.

For the 44th year, Lansdale got the jump not only on Christmas but on the famous Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans - which is held at the start of Lent - by holding its Mardi Gras parade in November. This year's was on Nov. 19, and the emphasis, despite the attention-getting name, was on Christmas themes and marching bands and floats. The theme was "Tidings of Joy," and Santa Claus put in his usual appearance. This year's grand marshal was Alyssa Brode, the reigning Miss Junior Philadelphia Pre-Teen.

10 for the Road You can plan now to attend these events that are within a day's drive of Philadelphia. Connecticut. "Dinosaurs Alive-Jurassic Treehouse" at the Children's Museum in West Hartford features multimedia scenarios and animatronic dinosaurs. Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. www.thechildrensmuseumct.org ; 860-231-2824. Delaware. "The American Eagle: Symbol of Freedom and Enterprise to the DuPont Family" opens March 10 at Eleutherian Mills.

Sunday Civil War discoveries The Camden County Historical Society will host James E. Johnson for a program 2 p.m. Sunday on "Discovering Black Civil War Veterans and their Widows in 1890 Camden. " Johnson, a specialist in African American history and the Civil War and an adjunct lecturer at Rutgers University-Camden, will talk about a special census of about 60 Civil War veterans and their widows that was taken along with the general census of 1890. Its purpose was to shape veterans' pension legislation and help Civil War veterans locate comrades as witnesses for pension claims.

State Rep. Mark Cohen hasn't racked up 40 years in the Pennsylvania legislature by taking his political opponents lightly. When he heard that Numa St. Louis, 31, an Olney educator, was planning a run against him this spring, Cohen discovered they were both Facebook devotees - St. Louis with more than 700 friends, Cohen with more than 5,000. Not only that, St. Louis had created a campaign page - Team Numa - and many of Cohen's colleagues in the state House were listed as Numa's friends.

Robert Girard Bunce, 90, of Broomall, a retired claims adjuster and youth sports coach, died Monday, Oct. 17, at Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Lima. Mr. Bunce was a claims adjuster for Motors Insurance Co., a division of General Motors, for 26 years before retiring in the late 1970s. He worked as an independent adjuster and then, until three years ago, as a ranger at Paxon Hollow Golf Club in Broomall. For 26 years, Mr. Bunce was volunteer parks and recreation chairman for the Marple-Newtown Leisure Services Commission, issuing permits and scheduling sports teams.

Michael C. McLaughlin, 62, a self-employed lobbyist who served as press secretary to former Pennsylvania Gov. Milton J. Shapp and as chief of staff to former state Senate Democratic leader Edward Zemprelli, died of throat cancer Thursday, June 10, at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Pa. Mr. McLaughlin, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., was Shapp's spokesman from 1976 to 1979 and Zemprelli's chief of staff from 1979 to 1989, said his brother, Joseph P. McLaughlin...

In the world of Jersey Shore baby parades, the kiddie promenade in this clean-scrubbed family resort is the granddaddy of them all. Or maybe not. For generations, teetotaling Ocean City and its less-straitlaced rival down the coast, Wildwood, have playfully debated which can claim the more historic baby parade. In a kind of "my kid is better than your kid" kerfuffle, the discussion this year centers on which, if either, resort can legitimately call its boardwalk event this month a 100th anniversary celebration.

March is the month for the wearing of the green. Whether you wish to greet the spring or honor the Irish heritage, the area's numerous St. Patrick's Day parades offer a taste of joyful celebration to all spectators. So put on your finest green outfit and head out to meet new friends and the spring. Philadelphia - noon Sunday. Route: West end of JFK Boulevard to 16th Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Philadelphia's is the second-oldest St. Patrick's Day parade in the nation, after only the one in New York City.

FINALLY REALIZING that his campaign for president went in the tank when he canceled his appearance with David Letterman - the negative speeches and Wall street collapse are just eerie coincidences - John McCain will appear on the "Late Show" on Thursday. That's the day after the final presidential debate. It will be McCain's 13th visit to the show but his first since he ticked Letterman off. A McCain spokeswoman said at the time that because of the economic crisis, the campaign "felt this wasn't a night for comedy.

CANASTOTA, N.Y. - At first glance, the list of those who have served as grand marshal for the parade that precedes the International Boxing Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies seemingly has little to do with the sport. But if you look hard enough, there's always a connection. Bo Derek? Well, the petite knockout knows a thing or two about a perfect 10-count. Tony Sirico, who played mob enforcer Paulie Walnuts on "The Sopranos"? Hey, the guy could whack. Now, for Sunday afternoon's 19th annual IBHOF parade, the co-grand marshals are comedian Pat Cooper and former defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones.

The Rev. Kevin C. Trautner, 59, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Norristown and an enthusiastic Irishman, died of a heart attack Tuesday at Phoenixville Hospital. For 13 years, Father Trautner ministered at St. Francis as an assistant to the pastor, parish administrator and, since 2002, pastor. He was loyal to the elderly and visited every homebound member of the parish at least monthly, said the Rev. Joseph Arnholt, a friend for 40 years. Father Trauner, the son of a funeral director, considered funerals an important part of his work, Arnholt said, and he spent a great deal of time preparing homilies for the deceased.