Knights of Columbus

Fr. Francis X. Coppens Council #4336

50^th Anniversary

Council History

             The Knights of Columbus Council #4336 maintains a facility at 2068 Main Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts.  Our Council hosts a large number of activities throughout the year including church activities, youth activities, family activities, community service, and council activities.  The Grand Knight for 2006-2007 is Carl Lowe.  Membership information may be obtained from Inside Guard, Jim Ryan, III, or any Brother Knight. 

A list of our Officers can be found at the Officers’ page. 

 Council #4336 was instituted on January 13, 1957 with 68 names on the Charter.  Our first Grand Knight was Herbert A. Fairbrother.  The Council’s first place of residence was located at the Villanova Hall in Wilmington, Massachusetts.  On July 29, 1961, dedication ceremonies took place in the new Knights of Columbus hall located on Main Street, in Tewksbury.  The membership at that time was approximately 250 of Tewksbury and Wilmington professional businessmen. 

 Council #4336 is dedicated to the memory of Father Francis X. Coppens, Captain in the Chaplin’s Corps, USA, serving from 1945 – 1947 in WWII and again during the Korean Emergency.  Sunday morning, May 27, 1951, he was killed in action by Chinese communist forces.  “Greater love than this no man hath, than he laid down his life for his friend.”   Dedication ceremonies took place on Saturday, July 29, 1961, in the new Knights of Columbus hall.

 The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Men’s Fraternal Benefit Society that was formed to render financial aide to members and their families.  Mutual aide and assistance are offered to sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.  Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. 

 The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world’s foremost Catholic Fraternal Benefit Society.  The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities. 

 The Knights of Columbus has grown to several members in one Council to more than 12,000 Councils and more than 1.6 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam, and Saipan.  Additional information about who we are can be obtained from the publication These Men They Call Knights. 

Council # 4336 Charter Members

J. Murphy                                                                                     A. Gizzi

R. J. Joyal                                                                                    C. L. MacDonald

T. J. Sullivan                                                                                A. H. Ferraioli

L. G. Barry                                                                                   G. Sala

A. B. Harper                                                                                 T. G. Callan

J. J. Peters                                                                                   J. Kane

A. T. O’Connor                                                                             J. F. Walsh

F. J. Pennino                                                                                J. F. Gleason

W. T. Burke                                                                                  P. C. Izzo

W. J. McKenzie                                                                             T. Conlon

R. Ernst                                                                                       Dr. McCartin

W. H. Boland                                                                                W. Granfield

M. Montefusco                                                                              J. Mendonca

F. Criscitello                                                                                 Fr. McPartland

J. F. McManus                                                                              H. Fairbrother

J. A. Ritchie                                                                                  N. E. Scott

R. D. Peterson                                                                              D. Fougere

N. F. Murray                                                                                 J. E. Kelley

W. J. O’Niel                                                                                  W. McCluskey

T. D. Sullivan                                                                                B. L. Hingston

W. E. Rogers                                                                                 C. E. Gray

R. W. Lacey                                                                                 E. L. Brittingham

W. W. Aunchman                                                                         J. W. Lindmark

P. S. DeLucia                                                                                B. Dzwilewski

J. F. Haggerty                                                                               F. B. Sheehan

L. Fleming                                                                                    P. D. Doherty

A. S. Cidado                                                                                 J. DiPadova

K. C. Sullivan                                                                                J. W. Shea

W. P. Breen                                                                                  L. P. Flaherty

L. Picanso                                                                                     E. A. Kelley

S. C. Thorburne                                                                            E. V. Suprenant

J. J. Scott                                                                                      J. Lombardi     

G. F. Spinney                                                                                 J. A. Sullivan

A. J. Quandt                                                                                  Fr. Lantagne