Cliff Gigot 

Cliff has learned the real meaning of the old saying, “When God closes a door, he opens a window.”  If things had gone according to what he thought was the plan for his life, he would most likely have remained a farmer and may never have come to Green Bay and to Council 10243.  He had been raised on a farm that had been in his family for several generations, and he presumed that his calling was to continue working those acres in Gardner (Little Sturgeon), Wisconsin.  But, one February night back in 1948 he returned home to find that his house had burned down.  “I didn’t know what I was going to do” he says.  “The insurance I had didn’t cover it, and I had nothing left after the fire.”  But, though that door had seemed to close, there was always the open window.  Within six months he had sold the land and bought a small tavern, intending to stay there for a short time and get back on his feet.  “I planned on a year or two and ended up there for 32 years.”  And such is the story of Rock Falls Supper Club in Dykesville.

 

He got interested in the Knights because some customers talked to him about it, and he eventually joined the Luxemburg Council.  Because of his involvement in his business, he didn’t have time to participate in a lot of activities, but he did make the meetings and enjoyed the camaraderie he found there.  After retiring in 1980, he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Green Bay and the St. Bernard Parish area.  He kept up his membership in the Luxemburg Council but because of the distance he didn’t make it to too many of the meetings.  Then, God opened one of those windows again and a Council formed with St. Bernard as it’s home in 1990.  Cliff transferred to the new Council within it’s first year and has been among the most active Knights ever since.  He looks back on well over twenty years of membership in the Knights of Columbus now, and he is proud to be a part of the organization, saying, “I enjoyed every minute of it.”  Perhaps his experience at Rock Falls contributed to his interest in some of the food-related activities of the Council, and he is often to be found at Booyah sales and burger stands.  He compliments the Knights on their fundraising, noting that the money raised is always going for good causes and is doing good in the community--“the funds are well spent.”  He has also served as an officer almost since he transferred to the Council, pointing out “I missed one meeting and found out I was the Outside Guard,” a position he held until just this past June.

 

Dorothy and Cliff recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary and have one son living in the area.  They have had the enjoyment of watching their five grandchildren grow up as well.  Cliff is also involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and spends time at their store handling the “till”.  He had looked forward to retirement, but finds he is now as busy as ever.  He and Dorothy are involved in St. Bernard parish and serve as money counters occasionally.  No matter busy he is, he still feels he should be doing more.  His involvement in our Council has been considerable, and we are certainly glad God opened that window for him.

 

December 1994