2014 Grand Marshal: Dick Catlett

Dick was a Navy pilot from 1953-57, flying the innovative AD Skyraider, a single engine, single pilot plane that had the full ordinance capabilities of a World War II B-17.

At his controls were 20mm cannons and rockets for close-range strafing of enemy ground troops but, in these early years of the Cold War, the plane also had the capability to drop a small atomic bomb.
Dick was assigned to the 7th Fleet in the Pacific and flew 99 missions off the decks of the aircraft carrier Yorktown. He left the Navy as a lieutenant.

Dick grew up in Haddonfield, N.J., and graduated from Amherst College. After his Navy years he went into business, eventually rising to president of the men’s division of Izod LaCoste, before launching his own company with his son, John.

He lived in Mountain Lakes for 13 years and now lives in Boonton Township with Ruth Anne, his wife of 59 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.