b'2021 FAMILY OF THE YEAR: Don and Betty DeCueS aint Teresa of AvilaTERENCE CARDINAL COOKE COUNCIL 8495 GROVETOWN, GA DonDeCluejoinedtheKnights53Columbus display and assisting with the KNIGHTSCouncil 8495KNIGHTSyears ago in 1968 as a Charter memberoverall event weekend.the new church of Mount Vernon Council 5998, Alexan- Don was co-chair of OF COLUMBUSOF COLUMBUSder Virginia. He transferred membershipdedication committee. While serving on to become a Charter Member of Terencethiscommittee,Doncoordinatedwith RoundtableCardinal Cooke Council 8495 in MartinezClub Car for the loan of 5 new golf carts Georgia in 1984, serving as the Charterto shuttle people from the field parking Advocate.lottothenewchurch.Hecoordinat-Members ofWaynesboro, GeorgiaDonservedinallelectedofficesofed with the Fort Gordon and Thomsonboth the 3rd and 4th Degrees up to andcouncils to drive the shuttles and direct RoundTable including Grand Knight and Faithful Nav- parking so that our Knights could attend igator.HeinitiatedandCharteredthethe dedication service.WalterDiFranciscoAssembly3493,aDonandBettycoordinatedaState Wwwwwnew 4th Degree Assembly in Grovetown,wide Raffle with the KofC for a Model A The Roundtableworked hard, with the Parish Council, GA.Ford that was donated to the Parish. It Richard Hopkins (Coordinator)and Father Patrick to ensure that all of our SacredDon served as District Deputy, Districtwas raffled at the Car Show and netted Donald DeAmicis (Color CorpWww24andadditionallyasthe4thDegreethe Parish around $32,000 for the build-Heart Parish members could insure a clean safe Augusta District Marshall. He served hising fund. Commander)environment throughout the COVID 19 pandemic. councilfaithfullyasDirectorofYouth,AsDistrictDeputy,Donorganized Bert ClineFamily, Council, and Community Activi- thepurchaseandinstallationofa30 ties and his 4th Degree Assembly as thefoot lighted flagpole for the Parish. He Color Corps Commander.plannedfundraisingeventsandorga-Stan Bylinowski Juan CasarezAsMembershipDirectorearnedthenized the construction of a 24 X 30 foot coveted 2-Star award, bringing in 57 new members with only 5pavilion for the Parish. As Grand Knight, he organized and di-Bob Craisdeductions for a 236% net.rected the construction of a 12 X 24 foot storage facility for the Ricky FlakesaAs Grand Knight he brought home a combination of 8 Pro- councils equipment.collected more than 2,000 pounds gram and other special awards, including Family of the Year,As Community Director awarded to the Collazo family at the 2014 State Convention.of food and $2,500 for 40 Cans for Lent and also collected a Brian Goodman (Deacon)Don was selected Georgia Knight of the Year 2017-2018record $7,000 for PWID in 2018. Thomas HainesDuring Dons service as Council Family Director, Don andBetty and Don served the Boy Scouts for over 18 years. Bet-Betty organized the construction of a float for the Grovetownty as Cub Scout Leader for 18 years and Don as a Boy Scout Thomas McDonaldChristmas Parade with the theme Keep Christ in Christmas.Leader in both Germany and Georgia. As District Deputy Don Michael McTigueThe entry was chosen as First Place in the religious class.coordinated the first Wheelchair delivery to the Augusta VA For 15 years Don and Betty organized and chaired the Coun- Hospital, as well as the MP3 program.Vince Vassellocils Classic Car Show. This is the councils largest fund raiser,Betty and Don recently celebrated 55 years of marriage, re-James Hector Casareznetting over $55,000 to be applied to the councils meetingsulting in 2 Sons, both raised in the Catholic Faith who now room in the parishs new Life Center.reside in the States of Florida and New Jersey. Juan Casarez lllBetty has been an active supporter of the Knights for 55During these 55 years, 53 of them have additionally been Mark Estipilaryears and a Charter Member of Council 8495s Ladies Auxil- dedicated to the Knights of Columbus by both Don and Betty. iary. She served 2 years as President of the Auxiliary, winningThis has led to service within the Councils and Assemblies of Georgia Ladies Auxiliary of the Year for 2 consecutive years.which Don was a member, along with church and community. She currently serves as the Auxiliary Secretary.Don devoted life to the US Army, serving 22 years of active Don and Betty are always on the front lines of service to theservice, which included Vietnam Combat Service, assignments Knights of Columbus, you will see them as a team setting upto the Old Guard in Arlington VA, and 4 tours in the Federal for almost every event or function hosted by the Council andRepublic of Germany. Following retirement from military ser-will remain to make sure the area is returned to the same orvice, Don served an additional 18 years as a Department of the better condition than it was found.Army Civilian culminating in the development of the prestigious Don has been an usher at St Teresas for 38 years, served onArmy Signal Corps Spectrum Management Comse, training the Parish Council for 2 years, co-chaired Parish Life Ministryjoint Forces worldwide for 12 years, including the Whiitehouse 3 years and co-chaired the Stewardship Ministry for 2 years.Communications Agencys Spectrum Managers. Betty served as a very active member of the Council of Cath- Betty was a dedicated Army Wife for 18 years, accompa-olic Women in Germany. She has also served on various Min- nying Don on 3 of his tours in Germany. During this time she istries of St Teresa of Avila, and has been a member of ouralso managed the homefront and additionally retired from the Roundtable setting up the grillThe Roundtable cookingConfirmation MassRibbons of Hope Cancer Support Ministry since its beginningbanking industry after 22 years of commendable service. to cook 200 Chicken halves,turkeys for our annualBishop Stephan D. Parkes,in 2016 and is a member of the Parish Finance MinistryDon and Betty continue their service to family, church and for our annual Chicken BBQThanksgiving Deep FriedFather Patrick, and theDon & Betty have provided support annually to the Parishscommunity without fail. They are most deserving to be named DinnerTurkey SaleRoundtable Color CorpTime and Talent fairs, providing the design for the Knights ofthe Georgias Knights of Columbus Family of the Year.69'