Family Preps Late Firefighter's 'Florograph' Portrait for Rose Parade

Friends, family members, and firefighters gathered in Mahwah Tuesday afternoon to honor a late township resident and volunteer firefighter whose image will be displayed on a float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

During the ceremony at Mahwah's Company 1 fire house on Miller Road, loved ones watched as the Mike Drozd’s widow, Pam, used ground coffee beans to finish off a “florograph” depiction of her late husband.

Drozd, who died in a 2008 car accident, is one of 81 people across the country who will be remembered on The Sharing Network’s float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. The Sharing Network, a not-for-profit organization that promotes organ and tissue donation, hosted the ceremony Tuesday in Drozd’s honor.

Representatives of The Sharing Network explained that each year, they choose late organ donors whose families are active in the organization to honor on their float. This year, Drozd – a longtime organ donation proponent – will be one of 81 people represented on the float in “florograph” form.

The florograph is a portrait made entirely of seeds, flowers, and other natural materials. Pam will accompany the portrait to California on New Year’s Day to watch it ride by on The Sharing Network’s float.

“Saying Mike was amazing seems inadequate,” Pam said to a crowd of about 50 friends and family members Tuesday.

“I am so proud and honored that he could be a part of such an iconic part of American history,” the Rose Parade.

According to The Sharing Network, Mike’s donations helped save or enhance the lives of 57 people.

“For many [families], this is a unique opportunity to see their loved one shine before millions of people worldwide and to gain special recognition for their gifts of life and hope,” NJ Sharing Network Foundation executive director Elisse Glennon said. The theme of this year's float, she said, is "Light Up the World."

Also taking part in Tuesday’s ceremony honoring Drozd were Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet, and former fire chief Ed Sinclair.

“If anyone deserves to be honored like this, it’s Mike Drozd,” Sinclair told the crowd.

In addition to her upcoming trip to the parade, Pam volunteers time throughout the year with the NJ Sharing Network, which she says she does to help save the millions of people across the country awaiting organ donations.

“I just wish that those 57 people [Mike helped save] could be a part of this parade,” she said. “In some way, I think they will be.”

The Rose Parade will air at 11 a.m. New Year’s Day on ABC. The Sharing Network's "Donate Life" float will be the 14th in this year's parade.

Drozd is one of two late Mahwah residents who will be depicted on this year’s float. The other is Ena “Po-Po” Lue.