Tom Capelle
Tom's becoming a part of the Knights of Columbus was a rather interesting trek.  His father George was a member of Council 10243 several years ago.  George passed away in 1996, but left a few memories of the Knights with Tom.  George had been quite involved in the life of the Council, taking part in most of the Council meetings and also participating in some of the usual activities such as booyah and Tootsie Roll sales.  In fact, when asked what did he know about the Knights before coming on board, Tom said immediately, "booyah."  Because of a rather hectic schedule he didn't get around to making the commitment to the knights, but then not too long ago someone suggested to Tom's mother, Audrey, that he might like to get involved in the Council.  Audrey mentioned that to him, and one thing followed another.  Tom now joins a short list of 'father/son' involvement in the Council.  He completed the journey to full Knighthood through the Third Degree just recently.

Aware of the charitable activities of the Knights, Tom hopes to find the time to take part in some of the activities, though he often finds that other commitments keep him from being as involved as he would like.  After graduating Edgewood College in Madison some years ago, he took a teaching job in Brillion for eight years, handling social studies and history.  After that he spent time working at Hi-Fi Heaven and also did a good deal of substitute teaching at St. Bernard.  He had been looking for a way of getting into the Green Bay Public School system, and meanwhile found out about a position at Bellin Psychiatric Hospital dealing with adolescents.  That occupied him for another eight years until about a year ago when he got involved in the Student Success Program, working with 'at-risk' students in the Green Bay system.  Last Fall found him dealing with aspects of the program at ten schools, but now he is usually at Franklin Middle School, near Notre Dame Academy.  There are about 150 students in the program, and Tom's average day begins with a math program.  After that there is the endless stream of paperwork, telephone calls, dealing with parents, and all the other aspects of teaching.  He also enjoys the opportunity of spending some time getting to know the students better.  Tom believes Franklin is the greatest school in the district, and appreciates the large minority population of students.

It seems as if anything involving water is a favorite leisure activity for Tom.  He is frequently fishing; in fact is was on a return trip from Canada with his father that George answered the call to eternal life.  Returning to the same fishing spot a year later, Tom had the eerie experience of being in the same room that George had spent his last night in the previous year.  Tom recently bought a new boat and is looking forward to continued fishing experiences.  He had been involved in Waterboard Warriors, a water skiing program associated with the Boy Scouts, which performs at Wrightstown.  He was also involved in Green Bay Paddlers, a whitewater canoeing group.  He enjoys wilderness canoe trips and hiking and also used to coach swimming and he usually officiates about 30 meets a year.  We're glad to have Tom with us and look forward to getting to know him through the activities of the Council.

December 2001