NORTH BRUNSWICK – Three street naming ceremonies were held on Oct. 2 to honor local veterans.
Parillo Way bears a sign at the intersection of Orchard Street and Princess Drive for the late John Dominick Parillo.
Schembri Way was marked at the intersection of Edwin Street and Truman Place for the late Angelo Schembri.
Smith Way was designated at the intersection of Holly Road and Myrtle Road for Stephen Samuel Smith.
Parillo was born on Nov. 5, 1923, and was a lifelong resident of North Brunswick before his passing in 1987.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 19, 1943, at age 20. He attended boot camp at Camp Peary in Williamsburg, Virginia. When completing boot camp, he was sent to Camps Parks, California, before leaving for the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a Motor Machinist 2nd Class, according to a proclamation read in his honor.
Parillo received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and a Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 17, 1946.
He then worked for Bond Clothing in New Brunswick as a sewing machine mechanic after returning from the war. He owned Parillo’s Shell Service Station on Route 1 in North Brunswick before working for Finger’s Radiator as a auto mechanic.
He was also a charter member of the Adams Athletic and Social Club.
Parillo was married to Anne Guerriero on Sept. 20, 1947, and they were married for nearly 40 years. Together, they have three children: Barbara, Ronald and John. They also have three grandchildren: John, Anthony and Christina.
Schembri was born on Sept. 2, 1924. A lifelong resident of North Brunswick, he spent most of his childhood and his adult life on Edwin Street, according to the proclamation read in his honor.
He served in the U.S. Army from May 1943 through December 28, 1945. He was an Operating Engineer, Technician Fourth Grade assigned to the 631st Engineer Battalion. He took part in both the European and Asian Pacific Theaters in World War II where he earned the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorous Unit Award and the Victory Medal, as well as the European-African-Middle Eastern and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbons, according to his proclamation.
Schembri worked with the Sheet Metal Workers Union as a master mechanic for 43 years after returning home from the Army. He received many service pins throughout his years of commitment before his retirement in 1986.
He founded the Adams Athletic and Social Club where he was a charter member and the club’s treasurer for more than years. In 2015, a pavilion on the club property was dedicated to his memory for his years of devoted service.
Schembri was married to Susan (Guerriero) for 62 years prior to his passing on Feb. 2, 2008. They have two children: Martha Maimone and Joseph Schembri. They also have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Smith was born on Jan. 9, 1947, in New Brunswick but grew up on Myrtle Road in North Brunswick.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 19. He served in the 9th Infantry Division (Company C, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division). He was an Expert Rifle M-14, Expert MG M-60 and a Sharpshooter Rifle M-16, according to the proclamation read in his honor.
Smith received many medals and awards for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism for his actions in combat in connection with military operations against hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Award of Bronze Star Medal for Heroism, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
He served from Dec. 5, 1966, through Dec. 4, 1968, and was then in the Army Reserve until Dec. 4, 1972, when he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E5, according to the proclamation.
Smith worked for Johnson & Johnson as a machinist until he retired.
He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Lee (Buckelew). They currently reside in North Brunswick in the home of his great grandparents. They have three children: Susanne (Winkler), Stephen Jr. and Stephanie Smith. They also have seven grandchildren.