KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
San Antonio Council 12456
Past Grand Knights
Dick Bissonette
1999/2000
Tom Rau
2000-2001
Bill Aitken
2001/02Â & 2011/12
Gordon Hodson 2002-2003
Frank Lewandowski
2003
Tony Tannuzzi
2003/04
Tony Maglione
2004/2005
Gene MurphyÂ
2005/06 & 2006/07
.jpg)
Jim Mann
2007/08
Ed Diana
2011/12
Ed Schwartz
2012/13 & 20013/14
Andy MoranÂ
2014/15
-2.jpg)
John GreerÂ
2015/16
Rich Bohnen
2017/18
John Corso
2018/19
.jpg)
Mike Coats
2020-2021
Bill Snow
2021-2022
Charlie McLaughlin
2008/09 & 2009/10
Al Cote
2016/17 & 2019/20
Dom Meschino
2022-2023
John Corso
2018/19
Mike Coats
2020-2021
Bill Snow
2021-2022
A Short History of San Antonio Council
San Antonio Council 12456 was founded in May 1999, by Dick Bissonette and Tom Rau. Dick became our first Grand Knight during the 1999/2000 Council year, followed in office by Tom Rau in 2000/20001.
In 2001/2002 Bill Aitken became the first Grand Knight to achieve Star Council status for us. In 2002/2003 Gordon Hodson became GK, but, due to health issues had to hand over the reins to Frank Lewandowski who completed his term.
In 2003/2004 Tony Tanuzzi became Grand Knight and began many of the worthy initiatives to assist the needy that we continue today, as well as many of our social activities. He was followed in 2004/2005 by Tony Maglione, who achieved the Star Council level for the second time.
Doubling up, Gene Murphy was Grand Knight for two terms in 2005/06 & 2006/07, followed by Jim Mann in 2007/2008 who achieved the Double Star Council award
​
Next up as Grand Knight was Charlie McLaughlin for the 2008/09 & 2009/10 Council years also achieving Double Star status. Ed Diana became GK in 2010/2011 followed by Bill Aitken for his second term as Council leader.
Ed Schwartz took over as GK for two years beginning in 2012 winning Star Council in both years of his term. Andy Moran led the council in 2014/2015 to the Star Council level once more.
​
Grand Knight John Greer in 2015/2016 brought in the Double Star ranking during his term of office. Al Cote took over in 2016/2017 and won the Star Council level for us once again.
​
In 2017/2018 Rich Bohnen took command of the Council winning Star Council once again. During the following year 2018/2019, the Council was under the direction of John Corso. Al Cote took another turn in command for the 2019/2020 Council year, achieving Star Council during the trying times of Covid19.
​
In 2020-21 Grand Knight Mike Coats had the unenviable task of keeping Council members engaged during a time of virtual meetings on Zoom because of Covid-19. Thanks to his perseverance, the Council maintained its tradition of helping those in need with substantial contributions to the St Vincent DePaul Food Bank, the Pregnancy Careline, Special Needs Kids, and other worthy recipients.
​
Grand Knight Bill Snow took over for 2021-22 and in addition to achieving Star Council status, San Antonio Council was awarded a silver plaque by the Florida State Council for contributions made to the Pregnancy Care Line.
​
Next in line came Grand Knight Domenico "Dom" Meschino in 2022-2023. Through his efforts the Council received the Double Star Council Award and enrlled over 20 new Knights.
San Antonio Council has had the good fortune of having had an outstanding series of Grand Knights. These dedicated men have initiated and carried through to fruition many worthwhile parish and community programs, earning the thanks of pastors and parishioners alike, as well as community members of all races and creeds.