By Charley Falkenburg, Special Writer
FLORENCE — When William Bott would see crossing guard Parker Mullen every day, rain or shine, it was impossible for him to be in a bad mood.
To him, it was impossible for anyone to be upset once they saw Mr. Mullen at his post, cheerfully crossing folks and greeting all those who passed by with a wave.
”After they see your smile and your wave, they never leave in a bad mood,” Mr. Bott told Mr. Mullen. “I’ve never seen you frown.”
Mr. Bott was just one of community members who came to the Dec. 19 meeting to praise Mr. Mullen and his many years of dedicated service to the community. In an intimate ceremony, the Township Committee honored Mr. Mullen, who is retiring from his crossing guard post after 17 years.
With a few of his friends, family and colleagues in attendance, the committee awarded Mr. Mullen with a plaque. It served as a token of townwide appreciation for the gusto and care he put not only into his job, but everything he did in the community.
Mayor Craig Wilkie recalled the first time he met Mr. Mullen at a youth meeting at a town church. To the mayor, it was no wonder how volunteering at the youth meetings translated to a crossing guard career later on down the road.
”It makes sense now that I look back; it’s just your love of people and taking care of children that has made you one of the more successful crossing guards,” Mayor Wilkie said.
Mr. Mullen also served as one of the town’s youth coaches and was once the recipient of the Citizen of the Year award — an accolade council President Jerry Sandusky deemed the highest honor anyone in Florence could receive.
The council president appeared certain Mr. Mullen’s absence would not sit well with the folks who looked forward to his signature greeting style every day.
”Believe me, there’s going to be a lot of people in town who will be calling the administrators and chief of police wanting to know where is the guy who waves at everyone,” Mr. Sandusky said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “I want to wish you a lot of luck with your retirement, Parker, you’re a good man.”
Mr. Mullen also received a card on behalf of the Roebling Elementary School staff and Steve Anderson of the New Jersey Legion Post 39 presented Mr. Mullen with another plaque in appreciation for his community service.
For Mr. Mullen, he enjoyed being the town’s “No. 1 crossing guard” and expressed his gratitude to the town and Police Department.
”I’m not a man to get up here and say a lot of words, but they care about the crossing guards, which helps us do our jobs the best we can do,” he said. “This is from the bottom of my heart; I will always remember this.”

