Melvin T.S. Tom receives the Victor M. Abbatiello Memorial Cup. (Photo courtesy of Philip Mulno)
On June 5, for the first time in four years, due to COVID-19, the Bishop Louis Maigret Fourth Degree Assembly held an in-person awards dinner in the Mary, Star of the Sea Parish meeting room.
Receiving “certificates of merit” for years past and present were William L. Rodrigues Jr. (2009-2013), Frank Barcelona (deceased) (2013-2015), Chuck E. Furr Jr. (2015-2016), Melvin T.S. Tom (2016-2017), James Weaver (2017-2018), Robert B. Camilleri (2018-2021) and Joseph Tillotson Jr. (2021-2023).
Receiving “awards of merit” were Father Alfred Omar Guerrero (2020-2021), Frank Barcelona (2020-2021), Ronald Kershner (2022-2023) and Lawrence D. Gonzales (2022-2023).
Knights of the Year recognition went to Randy Tom (2020-2021) and Camilleri (2022-2023)
The Victor M. Abbatiello Memorial Cup to those who most exemplify the character of Abbatiello — honor, courage, service and patriotism — were presented by Abbatiello’s daughters, Vicki and Maria Abbatiello, to Melvin Tom (2020-2021) and Lyle Apo (2022-2023).
The evening ended with the knights and their families singing the national anthem.