Congratulations to our Past Faithful Master, John Brandon, of the Second District for being selected as Patriot of the Year.
Introduction:
We come here tonight to honor Past Faithful Master John Brandon
for his years of service to the Knights of Columbus. John has held every
chair in the Knights and has worked his way up to honorable master of
the second district.
John has been a shining example of what it means to be a Knight of Columbus member. His
dedication to service is what we all aspire to have. For your many,
many hours of hard work, we thank you.
A.M.Ambrose Jr
FN Bishop Griffin Assembly
John Brandon Bio:
The sixth of eleven children and fourth son. John was the 33rd Birthday present to his Aunt Edith (107 years young now), born on February 25, 1951 to Alcalde Novarro Brandon Sr. and Julia Elizabeth Brandon.John graduated from Saint James Grammar School, Red Bank Catholic High School, Brookdale Community, Upsala College, Thomas Edison State College and attended the University of Medicine of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
Was a President for a Teamster Union Local 877 in Linden N. J., leading over 1,500 men and women at the Bayway Refinery. He was a Member of the Teamsters Joint Council, A Member of the Teamsters International Board for Concrete and Garbage Haulers, Refinery and Chemical workers and Industrial workers. Plus a member of the Teamsters Black Caucus. For over 35 years John has taught and been a strong advocate for the Holy Innocent CCD Program teaching children and adults to receive the Sacraments of Penance, The Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. He runs a monthly Special Needs Support Group meeting with professional help for families with Special Needs Family members and friends of a Special Needs client.
John was employed with the S.S. Kresge – KMart Corporation where he met his future bride, Janice Marie. Employed at Exxon Company USA, TOSCO Corporation, Phillip 66 and retiring from the ConocoPhillips Corporation.
He has been happily married to Janice Marie Toth since August 28, 1981. They have two wonderful children. Christopher Joseph 39 and Amy Elizabeth 36.
A Past Grand Knight for the Vincent T Lombardi Council # 6552 in Middletown, N. J. where he is the Council Warden, Program Director and Membership Co-Chairman, Past Faithful Navigator of the Bishop McFaul Assembly # 646. A Former District Deputy in the Jurisdiction of New Jersey. John is a Past Chapter President for the Monmouth County Chapter and Past President of the Trenton Federation. John just retired as the Second District of New Jersey’ as a Former Master. He was the New Jersey State Membership Director under Consultant to the Supreme Knight, PSD, PSD Dr. Daniel Rossi PhD. John is a Co-Founder of the New Jersey State Motorcycle Ministry and its first President. John is also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. He has been a local board member for the United States Selective Service since April, 2000. His private life and past remain private except to a very select and small circle.
John first would like to thank every Knight and Team member and their FAMILIES for allowing their family member to give up their valuable time and talents to help grow the Knights of Columbus, the Fourth Degree and especially for always remembering our Military. As the Master of the Second District of New Jersey, John was humbled by the enthusiasm that he saw from not just the men but by their families and he is very thankful for sharing these wonderful men with he and his Team. He also thanks everyone who helped with the idea of holding aboard the Battleship New Jersey, an Exemplification which had never been done before in the 100 year history of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in honor of our Veterans twice. Supreme still talks about it and has tried several times to duplicate it but has not been successful.John thanks every man for stepping up to the plate no matter how difficult or strange an idea may have been, you bought into it, including 2 1/2 years during the COVID-19.
FINALLY! John thanks his family for sharing the workload in the background for everything that they did that you, the membership very seldom saw. Helping put Exemplification packages together, staying up late, taking numerous phone calls and giving directions to a place or information to FNs, FCs, CCCs and to the membership. Driving long distances when I forgot a prop, the many lists or Exemplification fruit platters for the ladies, desserts or cakes. It was truly a family affair at the Brandon house. We would not have it any other way!
Some photos from June 22, 2025
Bringing in the Colors before our Patriot of the Year ceremony
John Brandon was selected as Patriot of the Year from both Bishop Griffin and Bishop Ahr Assemblies, June 22, 2025. Above, John received the award from our FN Al Ambrose, Bishop Ahr FN Ron White and SK Vito Pulito
Grateful John Brandon
Our Past Faithful Navigator Al Ambrose was also celebrated for serving two years at FN in Bishop Griffin. Thank you Brother Al.
Past Faithful Navigator Al Ambrose receiving a plaque as thank you for his service to the Assembly from SK Chris Palmer and FN Ron White
Color Corps Manny Capili was celebrated as Color Corps Man of the Year
Manny Capili receives award from Color Corps Commander Jeff Sellner and Bishop Ahr FN Ron White