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Joseph F. Polito was the 45th
State Deputy of the Louisiana Jurisdiction Knights of Columbus. His
lengthy service with the Order brought him to this position for 1996-98.
Polito was born on March 19, 1929 in Baton Rouge, La. A
graduate of Baton Rouge High School, he attended Baton Rouge Business
College and Louisiana State University. Married Merle Alello in 1955; they
have three children and eight (8) grandchildren. A Parishioner of St.
Thomas More Catholic Church, Baton Rouge - he served on the Parish
Council as Parliamentarian, Chairman of two Parish Festivals, and
Chairman of the
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Building & Maintenance Committee. He served
as Chairman of two Parish pledge drives to raise funds for the
construction of a new Church, Pre-school and Kindergarten buildings for
the Parish.
His community involvement included serving as a
member of the Executive Committee for the Baton Rouge Chapter of the
Muscular Dystrophy Association for 8 years and during this time held the
office of President for two (2) years. He was an active participant in the
Annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for the Baton Rouge Area.
His employment included 42 years of service at Ethyl
Corporation in Baton Rouge. He retired in 1991 as Plant Coordinator of
Shipping, Warehousing and Data.
He was initiated into the Order on May 29, 1950 as a
charter member of Monsignor Dominic Blasco Council 3298 in Baton Rouge. He
held various chairmanships and offices including Recorder, Deputy Grand
Knight and Grand Knight. In November 1986, he was initiated into the
Fourth Degree and is a member of the Monsignor Gassler Assembly. He was
honored by the Pope and knighted as a Knight of St. Gregory the Great on
March 6, 1992.
In addition to his involvement in council activities,
he served faithfully on the local, District, Area and State levels further
demonstrating his leadership abilities spanning a period of 29 years. His
involvement included: President - BR Chapter; Chairman & Co-Chairman
- State Conventions and CYLA; Chairman - RCF Committee, YEP Fund Raiser,
Camping Program; Area Coordinator, State Membership Director, State
Program Director, District Deputy;
elected to the position of State Warden, State Advocate, State
Treasurer, State Secretary, and State Deputy.
Of
his term as State Deputy, Joe says "Working together and having fun
doing it, we were able to fulfill our goal "Together We Can" and
our commitment to develop new councils where needed and to help councils
throughout the state continue to grow in order to perpetuate the Knights
of Columbus in Louisiana".
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