Father Ambrose Dwyer Council 2953 HISTORY Page

In December of 1945, James A. Davis, a local Druggist contacted a substantial number of Catholic men, interested in forming a local council of the Knights of Columbus.

With the help of Msgr William Purcell they met and organized in the music room of St James School. At one of these organizational meetings, it was decided to name the Council, "Father Ambrose Dwyer Council" in memory of the late Fr Ambrose Dwyer. He was an active Knight himself and had died a few years earlier while at a Knights of Columbus Dinner. Fr Dwyer was the founder of St Ambrose Parish in Endicott, NY, was Pastor of St. James Parish in Johnson City where he was largely responsible for the construction of St James Church and was the Pastor of St Patrick's in Binghamton at the time of his death. Fr Dwyer came to be one of the best known and most loved Priests in the Syracuse Diocese.

The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus issued the Charter to the Fr. Ambrose Dwyer Council 2953 on the 17th of March, 1946. By this time more than 100 men had been inducted into the Order in Johnson City. James A. Davis became the Council's first Grand Knight, and Msgr. Purcell its first Chaplain.

One month later, the new Council took an option on the spacious eight room dwelling located at 126 Main St. The property had been owned by William Ryan and was up for sale to settle his estate. Exactly 8 yrs. later, an active membership and an equally active Ladies Auxiliary burned the mortgage. That celebration also took place on St Patrick's Day.

On March 17, 1964, the Council celebrated its last St Patrick's Party in the old building that had served as our Council Home for 19 years. In April 1964 we moved into our new Council Home at 126 Main St. where we are still located.

Delay and red tape in the removal of the old building forestalled hopes of an early Dedication, but failed to slow the many activities of the busy Council. On Sunday, January 17th, 1965, The Rt. Rev. Msgr F. J. Harrison, then Dean of the Catholic churches of the Southern tier and later the Bishop of the Syracuse Diocese dedicated the new home of Fr Ambrose Dwyer Council 2953 Knights of Columbus. The dedication followed Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at St James Church across the street from the Council Home. Msgr Harrison was escorted by the Honor Guard of the Binghamton and Endicott Fourth Degree Assemblies. An open house was held from noon to 3 PM.

In time, the Council purchased the property next door, tore the building down and paved the lot for parking. The mortgage on this property was later burned at a family picnic held in the same lot.

In 1987 the members got together and put an addition on the building, giving us a new office and meeting room on the second floor and a large store room on the first floor. All the labor was done by members of the Council.

We pride ourselves on being one of the finest Fraternal Organizations in our community, being involved in our churches and assisting all in need to the best of our ability. Our council contributes to many programs, both financially and with manpower. We sponsor teams in all leagues within the Village. We provide scholarships for both Johnson City and Seton Catholic Central High Schools, on an annual basis. We give many man hours to the distribution of food to the needy, support the Special Olympics, put on an annual Christmas Party at the Broome Developmental Center and support worthwhile charities, too numerous to list.

We have been especially fortunate through the years to have had unusually dedicated and highly qualified men in our Council who have worked hard to conduct quality programs, to establish their leadership skills and become outstanding leaders within the Fraternity.

In 1981, Thomas C. Hovancik one of these highly qualified individuals and a Past Grand Knight of our Council was elected to the Office of New York State Advocate. In 1980 the Orders Ceremonials changed and there was no Third Degree team in upstate New York. In June of 1981 State Advocate Tom Hovancik was asked by the State Deputy to form a Third Degree Team in the Syracuse Diocese. In February 1982 Supreme Ceremonials Director Samuel L. Dambrocia visited the Fr Ambrose Dwyer Council 2953 to certify a Third Degree Team of men from the four Councils in the Triple Cities and Syracuse.

In 1985 we were honored to have one of our own Brother Knights elected to the high office of New York State Deputy. Tom Hovancik was only the Second State Deputy from the Triple Cities, the first being from Council 206 in 1912 and 1913. Serving with Tom was Frank Gennarelli, as Secretary to the State Deputy, Associate State Chaplin Msgr. Peter J. Owens, then Pastor of St James Church in Johnson city and Associate Chaplin Rev Richard Detrick Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Greene. Others from the Fr Ambrose Dwyer Council who have served the State Council as District Deputies, Auxiliary Chairmen, Coordinators or Chairmen are Don Blanchard FDD, Walt Pichura FDD, Felix Bucinell FDD, L Michael Donato FM, Tom Boslet FDD, W Cliff Frantz, Bob Drum, Bob Deemie and Joe Tripicco.

In 1989 Tom Hovancik PGK PFN PSD was appointed the Vice Supreme Master of the St Isaac Jogues Province 4th Degree where he served for 4 years.

In August of 1994 L. Michael Donato PGK attended the Supreme Council Annual Meeting in Kansas City as a delegate from New York State

On the weekend of March 15, 16 & 17 in the year 1996 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our charter. We had a casual get acquainted party on Friday, The banquet on Saturday and an Anniversary Mass and Communion Breakfast on Sunday.

In September of 1996 L Michael Donato a Past Grand Knight of Council 2953 and Past Faithful Navigator of the Rev JF Hourigan Assembly 724 was appointed Master of the 3rd New York District St Isaac Jogues Province 4th Degree. He would serve in that position until September of 2000.

In July of 1997 Tom Boslet PGK was elected Warden of the Central NY Conference. He was elected Secretary/Treasurer in 1999, Vice Chairman in 2001 and finally Conference Chairman in 2003.

In July 1998 Tom Boslet was elected as Outside Guard of the Central NY Chapter. He was then elected on successive years to Inside Guard, Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President. In 2004 Tom was elected as Central NY Chapter President.

In 2000 L Michael Donato completed his term as Master of the 3rd NY District St Isaac Jouges Province 4th Degree.

In August of 2003 and 2004 Tom Boslet PGK, attended the Supreme Council Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. and Dallas, Texas, as a New York State delegate.

On May 5, 2007, at the 112th New York State Council Convention, Brother Tom Boslet was elected to the position of State Secretary.

While other Fraternities have experienced a decline in membership, the future of the Fr Ambrose Dwyer Council is bright indeed. In Particular we have been blessed with the participation of new young members who have shown special interest in increasing our support of local sports programs for the benefit of children throughout the community. We have every reason to believe our first 50 years of Fraternity and leadership are just the beginning.