Ron Wilinski of Kingsford receives the Hennepin Province District Sir Knight of the Year award from Michigan District 3 Master Larry Herman of Traverse City.

KINGSFORD — Ron Wilinski of Kingsford, a Fourth-Degree member of the Knight of Columbus with Baraga Assembly 0512, was awarded the Father Louis Hennepin Province District Sir Knight Award for the fraternal year of 2023-2024.

Covering all of Michigan and Ohio, the Father Louis Hennepin Province is the governing body for the area as part of the worldwide charitable and fraternal Catholic organization known as the Knights of Columbus.

Wilinski was nominated by Assembly 0512 in recognition of his efforts to revitalize the local branch and reinvigorate the principles of “Religiously Devoted, Patriotically Proud.”

Hundreds of hours were spent recovering from the effects Covid-19 and other challenges that Assembly 0512 faced.

Due to his dedicated efforts in so many areas, Wilinski secured the approval of Michigan District 3 to move into the bi-state competition phase. He won that level by the length and breadth of his volunteer drive. A summary of details in the four major activity categories is too numerous to count.

Highlights included in the Community Category were sharing his love of God, country, and neighbor by playing his accordion as a music ministry in local nursing homes and at other local events.

His stellar performance in the Patriotic Section included his embracing the new uniform by advocating its adoption and use, making presentations to obtain funding toward their purchase and participating in the Color Guard at member funerals and other church and council events.

In addition to always being available for various maintenance projects, Wilinski and his late wife, Joyce, spearheaded the planting and maintaining of the grounds at American Martyrs Church in Kingsford.

Like so many other dedicated members of the Knights of Columbus, Wilinski was involved in many of the activities the council hosts each year for the benefit of the council and wider community, such as highway clean-up, bingo and the Tootsie Roll Drive.

He really showed his leadership of activities including the Art for All food vendor, fish bakes and celebration meals open to the community like St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Oktoberfest.