The town will posthumously name Derrick Nelson as the parade's grand marshal. His family led the parade route.
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Nelson, the principal of Westfield High School, passed away at the age of 44.
He died from surgery complications after he decided to donate bone marrow to a 14-year-old boy in France.
Nelson served as an officer in the US Army Reserve for more than 20 years and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013.
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He earned his doctorate in education administration from Seton Hall University.
"Although Chief Nelson did not die in combat he died serving and attempting to save a life," said Sheronda Braker, Nelson's fiancee. "In death, Chief Nelson continued to give back by being a tissue and bone donor. Through his donation of eye tissue, Chief Nelson was able to give the gift of sight to someone who needed a cornea transplant."
Many in Westfield are hoping that Westfield High School will eventually be renamed in his honor.
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