ROCKFORD—The Knights of Columbus motto, “In service to one, in service to all” strikes a resounding chord in Bob Grzelak’s life.

Grzelak was recently named Illinois Knight of the Year.

“I truly was excited to the point that I could hardly believe it,” Grzelak said of the honor. “This was completely unexpected and I am indebted to my brother Knights for their vote of confidence,” he said.

“It’s an honor that I won’t ever forget.”

Bob Tetzloff, Grand Knight of Holy Family  Parish Knights of Columbus Council 13123, nominated
Grzelak for the state honor.

Grzelak received the award at the Illinois State Knights of Columbus Convention this April in Springfield.

He says his involvement with the Knights of Columbus comes from a desire to serve others.

“I think the most rewarding part of being a Knight is to know that we are helping a lot of the Special Olympians and the intellectually disabled,” he said.

A four-year chairman of the council’s Tootsie Roll Drive for those with intellectual disabilities, Grzelak said he was heartened to see the results of the fundraising.

“I think one of the most memorable experiences I had as a Knight of Columbus,” he said, “is when I was able to present the checks from the Tootsie Roll Drive to four different organizations in Rockford that work with the intellectually disabled.”

He presented checks to Illinois Growth Enterprises, the Goldie Floberg Center, Milestone and Barbara Olson Center of Hope.

“Presenting those checks just makes all the work ... worthwhile. It just makes me proud to know that we’re taking care of some kids that probably don’t have all the opportunities that other children have,”
Grzelak said.

The three-fold mission of the Knights of Columbus has been another important aspect of the organization for Gzrelak. He cites Bishop David Malloy’s call for all Catholic men to join a council.

“Bishop Malloy is a member of the Knights of Columbus,” Gzrelak said, “and he has encouraged all Catholic men in the diocese to consider joining the Knights.

“I think the reason that the bishop wants men to join,” he continued, “is because of our duty as Knights — charity, trinity and unity. I believe that the unity aspect of the Knights is very important to Catholic men because you develop relationships and camaraderie with other Catholic men.”

A founding member of the Holy Family Council, Grzelak has been a Knight since 1987.

He has served as Grand Knight, has reached the Fourth Degree and is a member of the Honor Guard of Assembly 190.

He is a trustee to the council and is an active member of the Council‘s First Degree team.

Grzelak has been involved in many facets of the Knights of Columbus at Holy Family Parish, including fellowship cook-outs, St. Patrick’s Day dinner dances, the first pasta dinner and a ballpark night.
Grzelak and his wife,

Denise, have hosted Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary garage sales at their home. Proceeds go to the parish.

Knights of Columbus involvement runs in the family as Denise is a past president and current co-president of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Perhaps best known for his culinary skills in the Knights, Grzelak’s pulled pork has been the star of many council events.

Grzelak has also served Holy Family Parish on committees, for Light of the World marketing and 50th anniversary celebration. He is a member of the parish council.

Gzrelak considers his involvement in the Knights of Columbus an integral part of his identity.

“The Knights of Columbus have always been and I think, always will be a top-shelf kind of organization,” he said.

“From our charitable and spiritual events to our top-rated insurance program, the Knights of Columbus truly offers something for every Catholic man,” he added.

Grzelak hopes to be a part of the Knights’ charitable outreach for many years to come and to fulfill the Knights’ motto of “in service to one, in service to all.”

He said response to the April tornado in Fairdale is an example of “Knights in action.”

“When the tornado hit down in Fairdale,” he said, “there were Knights from not only our council but from councils across Illinois that went there to help. Our council donated money to the tornado victims and the Knights of Columbus insurance company donated $20,000 to the uninsured people in Fairdale.

“One of the things that I’m really proud of as a Knight of Columbus is the fact that it doesn’t make any difference whether you’re Catholic or non-Catholic … whether you are abled or disabled; we try to take care of everybody, we really do,” he said.