By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Joseph Varga was the parade grand marshal for the 2014 Patriotic Celebration, a special day and community tradition that dates back to at least the 1930s.
Mr. Varga drove his “Little Toot,” a mechanized train, in the parade every year for the past 38 years. This year, however, his train was placed on a cart and was pulled along the route while he was chauffeured in a convertible as the grand marshal.
”Joe’s parade career started in 1975 with his friend, Albert Griffith,” said Mayor Craig Wilkie.
The mayor recognized Mr. Varga with a proclamation.
”We take this time tonight to recognize a member of our community who has committed themselves to our community in a variety of ways,” Mayor Wilkie said.
The mayor said Mr. Varga’s participation in the parade began when he learned the drums and Mr. Griffith learned the piccolo.
”They decided to get their kids involved and were the Spirit of ‘76 group in anticipation of the upcoming bicentennial,” the mayor said. “Little Toot, his train, made an appearance after that and towed the Liberty Bell that Joe and his daughter made out of chicken wire, paper mache and a liquor store display. In later years, Joe created floats with historical themes with Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Ben Franklin and other historical people. Joe made a caboose and had a coal car to add to Little Toot. Joe has consistently created floats and entered the parade with Little Toot every year. Joe is thankful for the support and help his children have given him with his parade endeavors.”
Mr. Varga was born on Aug. 9, 1926 in Gercel, Czechoslovakia.
”His parents were American born Michael Varga and Elizabeth Boros Varga,” the mayor said. “At the time of his parents’ marriage, there was a derivative citizenship in place. That meant that whoever Michael married and the children from that marriage would be American citizens. When Joseph and his mother, Elizabeth, came to America on May 3, 1937, they arrived as American citizens.”
Mr. Varga attended school in Roebling and learned English with the help of his fellow students and his teacher, Miss Nellie Flynn. Miss Flynn stayed after school every day to teach him to read in English.
”In 1943, as a 17-year-old, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific with the Casualty Company,” the mayor said. “They were scheduled to go into Japan next but due to actions of President Harry Truman, the Japanese surrendered. Joe returned to Roebling on Christmas Day 1945.”
Mr. Varga worked as an electrician and in 1952, he decided to start his own business and worked well into his 80s as an electrician. As a local business he supported school programs and also sponsored a soccer team.
”In 1949, he started to build his house by himself on Fourth Street and bartered his electric services for cabinets and plumbing for his home,” the mayor said. “He also kept a log of anyone who ever helped him out and still has it. He still lives in the home he built and still decorates for all the seasons. Joe and his wife, Corinne, have a blended family, which had eight children, and now the family has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.”
In 1951, Mr. Varga became a member of the Florence Building and Loan. He rose to the position of a director in 1960. Later, he served as treasurer for 20 years. He has been a member of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Roebling for 78 years and has served as chief elder, the highest lay position in the church for over 11 years. He served on the Florence Township Board of Education for 10 years and served as vice president and later president. He was president of the Board of Education when the first addition was put on in 1964 at Riverfront School, then known as the high school. He has been a member of the Masons at Mt. Moriah Lodge in Bordentown for 64 years. He is a past master of the lodge and was treasurer for 33 years and is now a trustee.
”Joe is one of the Friends of Roebling of the Roebling Garden Club,” he said. “The group wrote the books ‘Roebling’ and ‘Roebling Revisited.’ He was on the committee to raise money and put in the 9/11 marker in front of the Roebling Post Office with a tree, the Dr. Hornberger headstone in Cedar Hill Cemetery, the statue of Charles G. Roebling at the Roebling Circle and the bust of Charles G. Roebling in the Roebling Museum. He currently serves as treasurer of the Roebling Garden Club.”
The mayor thanked Mr. Varga for “his lifetime commitment and continued service to Florence Township.”
”Joe, we are so grateful,” Mayor Wilkie said. “A lot of people have choices in life, some people choose to get involved and others choose to watch. This community is grateful for your involvement. Thank you for all you have done.”
Mr. Varga said, “I was happy to do what I was doing. It kept me busy and I stayed out of trouble.”
Mayor Wilkie said, “The parade brings joy to children of all ages. A senior citizen reflected with me that the fire trucks and community groups remind them of days gone past. That excitement spreads to all. The parade includes a wide variety of participants who make the parade so special.”
The parade began at noon at Front and Oak streets and proceeded along Broad Street to Ninth Street.
Later that evening, a concert and food court was held at the Water Works Field next to the municipal complex from 6-9 p.m. Fireworks over Veterans Park concluded the celebration.
”The concert and fireworks are so overwhelming,” he said. “A variety of community residents come out to listen to the music and then the applause when the fireworks are over is overwhelming and great pride. All parts of the day are special and meaningful. I am glad to be a part of it.”

