At the November 29th Mayor & Council meeting, Roselle Park residents Greg Delano and Joseph DeMarco were recognized for being named the 2019 Knights of the Year by the Monsignor Joseph F. Loreti Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Greg Delano serves as the council’s Chancellor and Joseph DeMarco is the Advocate for the Knights council. Both were recognized by the community organization for having exhibited the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism having gone the extra measure.
Greg has to have been a Knight now over 10 years. He was instrumental in organizing the Knights’ car shows and very active in many, if not most, of their events. Joe has been a Knight for well over 30 years. He has held many leadership roles in the prior Knights’ councils and has volunteered throughout the community. He leads the donation collections for Rafael House and has organized blood drives for the last couple of years.
Mayor Carl Hokanson, himself a Knight, presented the Certificates of Recognition to his fellow members. He stated, “I’m pleased and honored as a member of the Knights of the Father Loreti Council. I’ve had the opportunity to work with these gentlemen hand-in-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder, bucket-to-bucket, plate-to-plate; how many things we have done together. The Knights of Columbus took it upon themselves with the new Grand Knight [Vincent J Bonassisa Sr] to award Joe and Greg 2019 Knights of the Year for Monsignor Loreti Council 3240.”
The Monsignor Joseph F. Loreti Council of the Knights of Columbus has served in the community including during Superstorm Sandy when it opened its doors to those who had lost power in their homes and needed a hot meal and a warm place to rest. They have also hosted several events which include pancake breakfasts, blood drives, Special Olympics bowling, March for Life, Best Pizza Around contest, St. Patrick’s Day dinners, Easter Egg hunts, pasta dinners, Feasts Of St, Anthony, Trunk or Treat, Thanksgiving Pie sales, and Lenten Fish & Chips dinners, just to name a few.
The Knights Of Columbus meet on the fourth Wednesdays of every month at Loreti Hall under the Church of the Assumption. Anyone interested in the organization can visit their website (link), Facebook page (link), or by visiting Church Of The Assumption on West Westfield Avenue at the corner of Chiego Place.