Rutherford’s 70th Annual Holiday Parade Grand Marshal Ron Darby

The Rutherford Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 70th annual holiday parade this weekend and ERA Justin Company Broker Owner Ron Darby is honored to have been chosen Grand Marshal to celebrate this long standing Rutherford tradition.

Ron Darby started his career in the music business, recording some of the early works of Jimi Hendrix. He also managed the Rivoli Theater in Rutherford where he met the sweetest candy girl, Gloria. They married in 1967 and had 3 children, William, Jennifer, and Stephanie, all, who coincidentally, have also carved their careers in real estate.. 

Ron began his real estate career in 1967 with K Realty, overseeing two Rutherford offices as well as offices in Lyndhurst, North Arlington, and a location in South Jersey. Just a few years later, Ron partnered with Justin Tokarski, a former Rutherford Mayor, and a new era of Justin Realty ( a long standing company established in the 1950s ) was born. The successful duo cemented their home base in Rutherford at 300 Union Avenue and years later transformed an original Rutherford shopping complex into their home at 118 Jackson Ave. Justin Realty then joined the ERA Real Estate national franchise, and is now celebrating over three decades with ERA. 

After graduating from college, Ron’s daughter, Jennifer Darby Metzger, joined the family business as a real estate professional in 1997. After several years as an agent, Jennifer bought out the Tokarski family, making ERA Justin Realty truly family-owned. In the past thirty-five years, ERA Justin Realty has been listed as a ‘Top-100’ ERA firm worldwide, has been the recipient of the ‘ERA Commitment to Excellence’ award, a finalist in the prestigious Gene Francis Memorial Award and in 2019, Ron was inducted into the ERA Hall of Fame. His passion for real estate, community, and family have always been, and continue to be, his driving force. He has had the pleasure of being a leader and mentor to many. In regards to his work, Ron agrees that, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” “That’s why after being in this business for over 55 years, I’m still ‘working’. It’s a part of life for me.” ERA Justin Realty has recently relocated and extensively renovated its new home at 46 Chestnut Street, Rutherford. The company has been a staple in the community for over 55

years and looks forward to being a part of it for many more to come.

Make sure to catch the parade this Saturday, November 26th, starting at 4PM at Union School, winding up in front of the library for the holiday tree lighting!!