Leon Janowski 

One of the first things Leon said as a part of this interview was that he sees the highlights of his time with the Knights of Columbus in terms of  “what I have done, not what I’m doing now.”  As is the case with a number of  other brother Knights who are deeply involved in the life of Council 10243, Leon spent most of his time as a Knight as an inactive member.  He became involved with the Knights years ago when he was eighteen, and after a time became inactive.  Later, he joined Council 4505 in Green Bay, but again ended up on the inactive roster.  When a new Council was forming with St. Bernard Parish as its home, Leon started to become interested again, and at the urging of Dave Tlachac, became a part of the new Council that formed in the Fall of 1989.  Leon was at the initial planning meetings for Council 10243 and volunteered as the first Recorder of the Council.

 

For someone who thinks he isn’t doing much, Leon has been involved deeply in the life of the Council.  He has been an officer since the beginning, serving as Recorder until 1992 and then as Trustee.  He completes a three year term as Trustee this year, and continues to serve as Warden to the District Deputy.  He was appointed the personal Warden of then-District Deputy  Richard Rebman in 1992, and continues to assist the new District Deputy of District 13, Gerald Sukowatey.  He especially appreciates this latter position, as it gives him the opportunity to visit friends in other Councils and renew some old friendships.  Leon also serves as a part of the Council’s First Degree team.

 

He sees a lot of activity going on in the Council, and especially notes some of the community-centered activities, such as the Council’s support of the Green Bay Police Department’s Teddy Bear program and the Roll Drive for the mentally handicapped and the funds it generates for groups like ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens).  He would like to encourage the Council to look in the direction of service to the community, noting organizations like ARC and St. Vincent DePaul which can certainly use the help that Knights can provide.

 

A Civil Engineering Technician, Leon worked for the U.S. Soil and Conservation service for 36 years in Appleton and Green Bay locations before retiring in 1991.  He continues working for Brown County Land Conservation, and is projecting his eventual retirement in the year 2001.  After retirement, he is thinking of getting more involved with the St. Vincent DePaul Society.  He figures he spends about 80% of his time in the office, and feels that is too much time behind the desk for someone who likes to move about among people.  His work often involves dealing with water quality design as well as sediment in urban areas.  He remembers watching St. Bernard Parish being built and was attached to the parish shortly after it opened, helping with the maintenance of some of the grounds.

 

Leon and his wife, Sheila, will be married 33 years this June and have two children.  Sheila is an elementary teacher and often works with special and gifted children.  In times past, Leon was involved with Scouts and he fondly remembers bowling, something he hasn’t had much time for lately.  He also served for a time as Vice-President of the St. Bernard Parish Council, a position that allowed his to serve as the parish’s Vicariate Representative and meet people from throughout the Diocese.  He and Sheila also enjoy the arts and occasionally have the chance to take in a symphony. 

 

March 1995