Shirley's Frank DeNatale Elected Grand Knight

New Grand Knight Frank DeNatale, Jr. File Photo

Frank DeNatale, Jr. of Shirley was unanimously elected recently as the new Grand Knight of the James V. Kavanaugh Knights of Columbus Council 5293 headquartered in Mastic with a full agenda of supporting the community through grants, clothing and food drives, and other assistance.

Founded 140 years ago by Father Michael J. McGiveney in Connecticut to assist immigrants and their families, the Knights were named in honor of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the New World. They developed through the 20th century into the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization with over two million members.

DeNatale’s already hard at work planning the group’s annual community barbeque, a free event open to all that will celebrate the Revolutionary history of the area with period reenactments and DeNatale himself donning Patriot garb in the spirit of the nation’s War for Independence.

The event will also highlight the Manor of St. George, William Floyd Estate, and the First New York Regiment, which saw action during the Battle of Long Island.

The Kavanaugh K of C has earned Star Council recognition from the Supreme Council out of Connecticut for its emphasis on family, community, and religion, having reached its 61st anniversary. It was founded by Robert Nankervis and Joseph Mazzararella, Sr., father of Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella. The group raises approximately $75,000 per year for local causes including the fire and ambulance services.

Elected along with DeNatale was Deputy Grand Knight Peter Cotroneo, Chancellor Christopher Hennessy, Warden Phillip Quinn, Treasurer Peter Costelloe, Recording Secretary Louis Cintron, Inside Guard Daniel Tariol, Outside Guard Mayco Orantes, Advocate Richard Palazzotto, Financial Secretary Shawn Sexton, and Trustees John Hurley, Kenneth Reynolds, and Kenneth Olivo.

DeNatale, who moved to the area with his family from Brooklyn at age seven, is a retired Brookhaven Town Senior Housing Inspector where he addressed quality of life issues such as Zombie Homes, drug houses, and overcrowded properties. He was a liaison to Suffolk police precincts, COPE Unit and the Narcotic Enforcement Team. He’s the producer of Your Island with Tom Schiliro heard on 103.9 FM Long Island News Radio and recently named a Council 3 District Warden for the Knights.

Those planning on attending the community event August 19 are urged to bring non-perishable food items for distribution to the St. Jude’s Church food pantry and other local charities.

Anyone interested in becoming a Knight should call 631-281-4473. They are located at 176 Madison Street in Mastic, which is available for parties and other events. To raise funds, the Knights host bingo at the Farmingville Bingo Hall on Thursdays and Saturdays.