BRICK-Mayor John Ducey and the township council hosted Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari and Ocean County’s Columbus Day Grand Marshall, Judi Leone.
Judi and her husband Stephan, who is a Former Grand Marshal himself, reside in Toms River.
Judi Leone is a graduate of Toms River High School, Kean University and Rutgers University, where she earned a Masters Degree of Library Science. That may be where she gained her interest in Italian Heritage and Culture, especially pertaining to the Arts of Italy. She was an Elementary School Teacher in Toms River Schools in the seventies and early eighties. Following her years of teaching she became an Educational Media Specialist for Toms River Schools. From 1985 to 1992 Judi was Co-Owner and Vice President of The Production House. Then she was Law Librarian at The Law Center located in downtown Toms River.
Judi has had a storied career in several community organizations. The Shelter, Inc., Ocean’s Harbor House, United Way of Ocean County, Garden State Philharmonic, Ocean County College Scholarship Committee, Ocean First Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts just to name a few. She also served as a member and Past President of the Italian American Cultural Society. Over the past 10 years she has chaired an event for the Garden State Philharmonic called “Una Bella Notte”, which is a celebration of Italy’s wine, food and opera. Judi has been recognized and honored over the years by many civic organizations with the following awards; United Way’s – Volunteer of the Year, National Conference of Community & Justice’s – Humanitarian Award, Garden State Philharmonic’s – Distinguished Service Award, ADACO’s – Citizen of the Year, Monmouth-Ocean Development Council Silver Gull Awards – Community Service Award, Ocean County College’s – Humanitarian Award, Toms River / Ocean County Chamber of Commerce’s – Distinguished Citizen. Those awards and honors as well as others that fill her biography drew the attention of the Parade Committee’s attention. Two additional awards from the Italian American Cultural Society and the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission are especially important to our committee’s interests.
