NORTH BRUNSWICK – Princess Drive and Earl Court will be known as Lacik Way and Taylor Drive and Taylor Place will be forever be known as Giglio Way in North Brunswick.
In another round of honorary street namings for veterans, the families of the late Michael Robert Lacik and the late Joseph E. Giglio gathered together on July 10 for the unveilings of the signage.
Lacik was born on March 11, 1930, and grew up in Highland Park before moving to North Brunswick where he lived most of his life, according to a proclamation read during the ceremony.
He served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 26, 1951, through Jan. 25, 1954, when he was honorably discharged. He fought in the Korean War and earned several awards and medals which include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Combat Medical Badge 1st Award, the United Nations Service Medal and two Bronze Service Stars.
Lacik worked for Triangle Conduit and Cable for 33 years and for North Brunswick Township for 12 years. He was also a volunteer fireman for North Brunswick Volunteer Fire Co. No. 3 for 50 years and served as township and company chief, a member of the Adams Athletic Club and a member of VFW Post 3117 in Edison, according to the proclamation.
Lacik was married to Marie Tavalaro and has two daughters, Debbie Toth and Karen Firrello, and two son-in-laws, the late Michael Toth and Mitch Firrello. He also has two granddaughters, Hayley Toth and Kimberly Firrello.
Lacik passed away on Sept. 13, 2007.
Giglio was born on July 2, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York.
He began his military career in 1952 in the U.S. Army as a private first class. He was stationed in Trieste, Italy for two years during the Korean War. Upon earning an honorable discharge in 1954, he moved to North Brunswick, according to his proclamation.
Giglio worked for Bonds Clothing Company and then for Heide Candy Company in New Brunswick for 20 years as a production maintenance supervisor. He also worked for the North Brunswick Board of Education in the Maintenance Department until his retirement.
Giglio was married to Hazel Reifsnyder and together they raised four children on Taylor Drive: Joseph, Thomas, Linda and Frank. They also have 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Giglio passed away on May 3, 2015.
North Brunswick continues its honorary street naming project for wartime veterans, as well as a memorial paver project at North Brunswick Veterans Park. For more information, contact Lou Ann Benson at [email protected] or 732-247-0922, ext. 475.