Maria Scott named grand marshal of Brentwood parade

For 15 years, Maria J. Scott has been on the Brentwood St. Patrick’s Day parade committee maintaining and planning the annual event as chief parade coordinator.

Now, the Brentwood woman is leading it as grand marshal.

Scott, 60, originally participated in the parade committee to keep up a tradition that honored her father-in-law, Daniel G. Scott Sr., as grand marshal in 1995.

“When he passed away, I made it a vow to do whatever I can to take his place to keep the parade alive and in Brentwood,” Scott said.

Not only has Scott, who’s lived in Brentwood since 1964, made sure the parade stays in Brentwood, but she’s made sure Brentwood stays in the parade.

“There were some organizations not involved in the parade in previous years,” said Michael Grant, whose father was the founder of the parade. “She helped bring them in.”

Now the residents of Brentwood are much more involved.

“Everyone on the committee realized what she’s done,” said Grant, who is vice president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. “It was time we honored her. We really appreciate her.”

The chamber unanimously voted for Scott as grand marshal in the fall of last year.
The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday on Clarke Street, down Washington Avenue to Ross Memorial Park.

Scott currently works for a Cablevision walk-in center, where she’s been employed for 10 years. Before that, she was a cosmetology teacher for 20 years at the School of Cosmetology and worked herself up to school director of Long Island Beauty School in Hempstead.

“My aunt is a very giving person with her family and within her community,” said her niece Marissa Licata, 26, of Oakdale. “She’s usually the person to go to when someone needs something. She’s always there to help.”

Licata grew up in Brentwood and has attended the parade since she was an infant.

“For as long as I can remember, her and my uncle have walked in the parade,” Licata said. “She does an excellent job, raising funds and getting other people to be involved.”

Scott, who is of Italian descent, was introduced to the Irish culture through her husband’s family. Her father-in-law was born in Brentwood, but his father came to New York from Ireland in 1913.

Now she’s leading the parade in honor of that culture.

“It’s an honor to represent a culture and represent my community in this particular holiday,” Scott said. “I am in awe. It’s an honor, especially of being of Italian descent, that my work has not gone unnoticed.”