Council 5987 held its Knight of the Year Dinner on Saturday, October 4. Selected to be awarded the “Knight of the Year” Award was David Feola, our most recent Past Grand Knight (PGK).
The event was held at 707-On-Main and the evening went very well.
Current Grand Knight, Joe Palmisano, introduced the Guests to our dinner, who included:
Ralph Grandpre,
Connecticut State Secretary;Phil Guerrette,
Connecticut Immediate Past State Deputy, accompanied by his wife Claudette;
The widows of deceased members, Lori Black, Alice Stenger and Ida Nolan;
Other dignitaries acknowledged were:
Monsignor John Sabia, Council Chaplain
Fr. Skip Karcsinski;
District Deputy (25) Kevin Donavan, accompanied by his wife Laura and his son Michael;
District Deputy (2) Gary Thomas, accompanied by his wife Judy;and,
Columbiette President Carol Keeney, accompanied by her husband Joe.
Also acknowledged were Andy Fekete and his wife Marie, for 60 years of marriage
PGK Feola made some announcements and special presentations:
To Carol Keeney and Carol Schmidt - successful first year as leaders, Columbiettes;
To Marie D’Ostilio - 12 years of service as the assistant director of the Youth Group;
To Rocco Scali, Phil White and Chris Sobotka - twice yearly coordination of Needs Drive;
To Jim Bifulco for his coordination of the Tootsie Roll Drive;
To Tom Pleva for 39 Years coordinating our efforts at Southbury Training School;
To Art Sheehan for his efforts in coordinating the Irish Cabaret;
To John Tartaro and Andy Amalfitano for their endless dedication to the Council; and,
Michael Donavan for being the Council’s “Extreme Helper”.
John Tartaro supervised the raffle and the winners were:
Vin Polito - $500 Amex Card;
Hav Tweedy - $500 Amex Card;
Joanne Diaz - $125 gift certificate to Carl Anthony’s;
Don Gallant, Sr. - $100 gift certificate to Stop and Shop;
Paul Verespej, Jr. - $100 gift certificate to Sunoco, donated by Brother Bob Wheelin;
Tom Santora, Doug Bissell and Christine Hanlon – A free car detailing donated by Brother Jonathan Piazza-Harper.
District Deputy Kevin Donavan presented to PGK Feola the Columbian Award, issued by the Supreme Council. This award is presented to Councils that “Annually conduct and report at least four (4) major involvement programs in each of the following sections of the Service Program: Church Activities, Community Activities, Council Activities, Family Activities and Youth Activities.”
PGK Feola, being awarded the Knight of the Year for our Council, listed many of the accomplishments which occurred during his time of service and related how joining the Knights of Columbus had become like a second family to him. Dave received a hearty round of applause for his service.
Grand Knight Palmisano brought the evening towards its conclusion with a grand salute to the Columbiettes for their first year and for the events they plan on holding over the next year. GK Palmisano also reminded Council members of the upcoming Needs Drive and Tootsie Roll Drive. A special pledge was made to Brother Gary Thomas to see the fulfillment of his effort to raise monies to purchase a wheel chair van for the Vets at the Veteran’s Hospital in West Haven.
Father Skip closed the dinner with a prayer.
The Committee did a great job and congratulations go to Brother’s Pete D’Ostilio, John Tartaro, Nat Recine, Tom Pleva and John Hanlon for their successful efforts.
