Grand Knight’s Blog – February, 2023
Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . doors open at 7:00
Place: St. Matthias Parish Hall
Activities and News Since Last Meeting
· Welcome New Members
Jon Schmidt
Dean Murphy
Ray Boiselle – a New Horizons resident
Dr. Paul Stebenne, a District Deputy on the cape, is moving in to his new condo in Hudson this month. We should start seeing him at meetings soon.
· Super Bowl Pool
The Super Bowl pool was a 100% success. We sold out all the squares on both pools and collected $3,500. After paying out the prizes, we netted $1,400. Thanks to everybody who played, and congratulations to our winners:
| $10 Pool | $25 Pool | |
| Q1 | Larry Demeo | Mike Bleecker |
| Q2 | John Butler | Matt Cederholm |
| Q3 | Roy Milton | Paul Piazza |
| Q4 | Kathy OhEigeartaigh | John Dedecko |
Larry DeMeo is my former law partner and a Knight in Ashland. Roy Milton is Neil Cronin’s father in law. Mike Bleecker and John Dedecko are Council #81 members. John Butler is a Council #81 member but we will be losing him soon as he’s moving south later this year. Kathy OhEigeartaigh is the Mrs. Grand Knight. Paul Piazza is a lawyer from Sudbury I work with, and Matt Cederholm grew up in Marlboro and went to Marlboro High and lives in Florida now, and was referred by Steve LeDuc after the CSF pool filled up. So 5 out of 8 prizes when to Council #81 members or family member. Not only did the pool raise us some money, it mostly benefited us!
Programs and Upcoming Events
· Dues Time!
If you haven’t paid your annual dues yet, please bring cash or a check for $30 to the next meeting. Also, you can pay online from our website www.kofc81.org , just use the “Member’s Page” link.
· Free Throw Contest.
At last report, March 5th was the best available date from Special Olympics, but I’ll be looking for Neil to report on that definitively tonight.
· First Concern
We are still waiting to hear a date for the dedication ceremony.
Other News and Meeting Agenda Items
· 12 months of free membership
Tell any of your friends or neighbors interested in joining, use the QR code below to join online and use the promo code “BlessedMcGivney” for 12 months of free membership.
· Prayers / Intentions:
Please keep Mike Gibson’s family in your prayers. His father Ralph Gibson passed away on December 26th in California; and his mother Leslie was recently hospitalized.
Please keep in your prayers Deacon Elcio for a good recovery of his knee surgery; Craig Fallon and Andy Tivnan.
Our two Deacons, Elcio and Chuck, are both being transferred effective June 1st. Please keep them in your prayers for a good assignment and smooth transition.
I am also saddened to announce that my mother died Saturday. She celebrated her 98th birthday in November while she was living independently at New Horizons. Unfortuately, she got sick later in the month and needed oxygen so she entered the Marie Esther Nursing Home, run by the Sisters of St. Anne in Marlboro. Her full obit is reprinted below.
As a result of this, I will not be at tonight’s meeting and Deputy Grand Knight Brendan Butler will be presiding. It’s his first time, so please take it easy on him.
· Other business?
If you have an item to add to the next meeting agenda, please let me know.
News?
If you have any news to report, email GrandKnight@kofcmarlboro.org.
See you all Tuesday night.
Vivat Jesus.
Mike Tremblay
Grand Knight
Obituary
Phyllis I. (Fortin) Tremblay, 98, of Marlborough passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Marie-Esther Alliance Healthcare facility in Marlborough. She was formerly a resident at New Horizons Assisted Living for four years and lived independently until two months ago. She was preceded in death by her husband of 77 years, Leonard “Len” Tremblay, who died in February, 2021.
Phyllis was born in Marlborough, the daughter of the late Arthur N. and Anna V. (Sears) Fortin. She is survived by her two sons, Leonard A. Tremblay, Jr. and his wife Jeannine of Merrimack NH, and Attorney Michael J. Tremblay and his wife Kathleen of Hudson. She also leaves her five grandchildren: Mark, Sean, Jason, Abigail and Sadie; six great-grandchildren: Brianna, AnnMarie, Nicholas, Jayden, Beckett and Carlisle, and a great-great granddaughter Isabella. She was predeceased by her four siblings: Anna J. Normandin, Flora L. Jolie, Lorraine L. Losapio and Robert E. Fortin.
Phyllis graduated from the Immaculate Conception School in 1938, and Marlborough High School with the class of 1942. She was employed for many years as office manager for oral surgeons Drs. Jerome Anderson and Thomas Gelsinon in Marlborough. She was a life member of the Sweet Adelines International and a founding member of the Marlborough Sweet Adeline chorus where she served twice as President, but was most well known as the costume designer and seamstress of costumes for more than 60 years. She also co-chaired the committee that brought the 1970 International Sweet Adeline Quartet Competition to the Hynes Auditorium in Boston.
Phyllis was well-known as an expert seamstress and rescued many weddings with last minute alterations of bridal gowns. Her sewing room was adorned with hundreds of photos from grateful brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the brides wearing her finished products.
Phyllis was a life-long member of the Immaculate Conception parish in Marlborough, served on the parish School Advancement Committee, and sang in the choir for many years.
Phyllis always put the needs of others ahead of her own, and selflessly took foster children into her home, many of whom stayed in touch like actual family members for many years. Although she only had two children of her own, family photos always contained four or five children in the household.
Visiting hours will be Friday, February 17th from 5-7 p.m. at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. 40 Pleasant St., Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18th at 12:00 noon at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough, MA 01752. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beach Street, Marlborough MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Anne, Marie-Esther, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752.