Wilton KOC Blog / News

  • Coats For Kids Drive

    Coats For Kids Drive

    Each year in October, the Knights of Columbus starts a “Coats For Kids Drive” which is a charitable initiative that collects and distributes warm winter coats to children in need, to ensure they stay warm and healthy during the colder months, particularly for families facing financial hardship. Last year, Knights of Columbus Councils from Wilton, Norwalk, New Caanan, Westport and Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 4th Degree worked together to purchase over 900 brand-new coats and hand-knit winter hats which were distributed to clients of the Family & Children’s Agency (FCA). Since the initiative launched in 2009, more than 1 million coats have been distributed in 49 states and all 10 Canadian provinces to keep kids warm through the winter.

    Last year, your local Wilton Knights of Columbus Council 12698 collected close to 2000 dollars for the Coats for Kids initiative. This year, our drive kicks off on the weekends of October 11th and October 18th where we will be collecting after each mass. If you would rather give electronically, please click below.

    Thank you for your participation and contributions in advance.

    Michael Healy – Grand Knight
    Knights of Columbus Council 12698


  • Wilton Knights of Columbus Officers Annual Outing

    Wilton Knights of Columbus Officers Annual Outing

    The Wilton Knights of Columbus Council 12698 held their Annual Officer’s outing once again at Norwalk Yacht Club on a beautiful afternoon on Sunday September 21st. While some officers were unable to make it due to other conflicts, a large contingent turned out with their wives and had a fantastic time. Brian Rafferty and Jamie McDowell were in charge of the BBQ and cooked some great burgers and sausages for all. There was a huge selection of starters, salads and desserts for afters, with the food provided by everyone.

    Once everyone had their fill, the brave ones took to the water in the boat aptly named “The Luck of the Irish” for a quick spin on the Sound. “Luckily”, all returned save to shore!

    Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make this a great afternoon – its a great way to thank all the Officers for their contributions and volunteer hours during the year, and to also get to know their wives and build better bonds. We hope to continue this event for many years in the future.


  • Wilton Rotary Club Carnival

    Wilton Rotary Club Carnival

    The Wilton Rotary Club Carnival Weekend Festival kicked off on Friday September 9th with huge crowds coming out for the annual event. The carnival, a cherished Wilton tradition, is the perfect way for families to celebrate the onset of autumn and the new school year. All proceeds from the carnival are invested back into the community to support projects in Wilton and Norwalk as well as global humanitarian programs led by Rotary International.

    Once again, the Assembly 100 Knights of Columbus volunteered for the event to provide parking assistance, manage ticketing, cleanup and general assistance to anyone in need. The event is held over 3 days from Friday to Sunday and it was very well attended as usual.

    Thanks in particular to all from the Wilton Knights of Columbus Council 12698 who volunteered.


  • 911 Memorial for Wilton Victims

    911 Memorial for Wilton Victims

    On Thursday morning at 9am, a group of Knights of Columbus gathered at the Our Lady of Fatima 911 memorial to memorialize all the victims of the tragedy on September 11th 2001 but, in particular, the 5 members of our Wilton Community who were also parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima.

    It is now 24 years since that tragic day – to help keep their memories fresh in everyone’s memory, we have gathered some past write ups below and also added this prayer.

    We pause to remember the great losses and courageous acts of September 11th. We lift up those who are still affected — families of the victims, police officers, firemen, first responders, and all who were involved. We pray for the light of Christ to flood the hearts of people everywhere. We believe You desire to redeem Your creation, and we trust that beauty will continue to come from the ashes of those dark days. Surround us with Your mighty angels of protection, give us compassion for one another in all of life’s circumstances, and instill in us the courage to answer Your call. Amen.

    Edward Fergus

    Edward T. Fergus Jr. was born on May 11, 1961 to Dorothy and Edward Fergus in Queens, NY, He had three sisters, Maureen, Annemarie, and Alison. He lived in Wilton, CT. Edward met his sweetheart, Linda Fergus, in 1979, when they were attending the same college, St. Michael’s in Winooski, VT. They fell in love, got married, and had two children together, Shannon, age 11, and Tom, age 10 (at the time of Edward’s passing). Edward loved spending time with his family, and he especially enjoyed taking the children fishing on Long Island Sound and having boat picnics with Linda and the children. He loved the mountains and always went skiing and snowboarding in the winter, usually in Vermont. Edward remained close with his sisters, and took them and their children to the annual Oyster Festival in South Norwalk, CT, every year. He would also organize annual seaside vacations for their families. Edward participated in volunteer work in his spare time, and attended church weekly. He was described by his friends and family as fun-loving, generous, hard-working, and energetic. Edward worked as a partner for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. He was very dedicated to his job and was well-liked by his co-workers and colleagues. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Edward was working at his office when Flight 11 struck the North Tower, leaving all of Cantor Fitzgerald’s floors above its impassable impact zone. Sadly, none of Cantor’s attending employees survived, including Edward. His life was unfairly cut short on September 11th, but Edward’s energetic spirit and shining legacy live on forever. His life, love, accomplishments, and memories will never be forgotten.

    Peter Fry

    Peter Christian Fry was on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center tower hit by the second plane on Sept. 11. His father, Charles Fry, was at his home in Kingwood at the time. Charles retired to the Kingwood community while his son and his family remained in Connecticut. When a friend called from California to alert Charles to the attack, he instantly knew that his son was in one of those towers. “He was always on time,” said Charles, knowing how responsible Peter had always been to his commitments. Fry was a vice president at Institutional Money Markets at Euro Brokers Incorporated, a global securities firm located a Two World Trade Center. There were 210 people on the 84th floor before the attack, 60 of them didn’t make it out, including Peter. “Knowing Peter, he would have been trying to help somebody,” said Charles easily visualizing his son helping get everyone to the tower exits. A memorial service was held for Peter on Sept. 29 in Wilton, Connecticut. Attendees of the ceremony received a program that had a unique picture of Peter on the front of it. He is fly fishing in his wedding tuxedo in the picture. The back of the program had the words to the Grateful Dead’s song “Box of Rain.” Peter was an avid athlete, having played lacrosse in both college (he was an All-American lacrosse player at Curry College in Massachusetts) and in the Fairfield County Lacrosse League. Peter was 36.

    John Iskyan

    John F. Iskyan was born on April 11, 1960 to Carol and John Iskyan in Manhasset, NY. He lived in Wilton, CT. John attended and graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 1982. He met his sweetheart, Margaret Iskyan, during the first week of Margaret’s freshman year at Saint Michael’s College. They started dating on Valentine’s Day of 1980 and were married in early September of 1985. They had two children together, Peter, age 12, and Carolyn, age 10 (at the time of John’s passing). John cared a lot about his family, and they were the most important thing in his life to him. In his free time, John loved spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, boating, and especially skiing. He also enjoyed golfing, vacations, and attending New York Giants games. John was described by his friends and family as loyal, dedicated, devoted, and helpful. John worked as a first vice president in liquidity products for Cantor Fitzgerald on the upper floors of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. He joined Cantor in 1982, two weeks after he graduated college. On the morning of September 11, 2001, John was working at Cantor Fitzgerald when Flight 11 struck the North Tower, leaving all of Cantor’s floors above the impassable impact zone. Sadly, none of the firm’s attending employees survived the attack, including John. Though his life was unfairly taken, John’s loving spirit lives on forever in the hearts and memories of his loved ones and through all who continue to remember him. He will never be forgotten.

    Edward York

    Ed York worked for many years at several firms including MA Hanna and Daymond and Associates before moving on to Cantor Fitzgerald, where he was the Vice President and Director of Human Resources. Stories and admiration abound for Ed, things like “he always brought a smile to everyone’s face” and ‘he had an unconventional way of bringing people together” and “his family was the center of this universe”.

    John Henwood

    John Christopher Henwood was born on February 15, 1966 to Mary and David Henwood. He had three sisters, Mary, Catherine, and Tara, and a brother, David. He grew up in Wilton, CT, and lived in Manhattan, NY, in adulthood. John attended and graduated from Wilton High School and Northeastern University. In college, he was president of his school’s chapter of the Phi Gamma Pi fraternity. John met his sweetheart, Concha Munoz, in Spain while he was visiting Madrid working for I.B.M. John and Concha fell in love, were married on September 10, 1992, and had two children together, Alejandro, age 5, and Claudia, age 2 (at the time of John’s passing). John loved visiting Spain and planned to soon move his family there. John’s good friend, David Keefe, remembered, “Every year they’d go to Spain for four weeks, and those were probably the best days of John’s life. I think the most important thing I could say about John is that he was the guy you looked forward to being with. When we were in Boston and right out of college, working three or four different jobs, no matter how tedious something might be, if John was there, it was fun.” John was also described by his friends and family as loyal, playful, gentle, and easygoing. On September 10th, John had celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary. The next morning, he got ready for another day of work at the World Trade Center. John worked as a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. On the morning of September 11, 2001, John was working on the 105th floor when Flight 11 struck the North Tower, leaving his floor and all of Cantor’s offices above the impassable impact zone. None of the firm’s attending employees survived the attack, including John. Though his life was unfairly taken on September 11th, John’s vibrant spirit lives on forever in love, memory, and legacy. He will never be forgotten


  • Special Needs Planning

    Special Needs Planning

    Come join the Knights of Columbus and LaMagna McKenna Attorney’s at law to learn how careful planning and good legal counsel can help protect your family today and for the future. Because of the Knights of Columbus unique Mission and Vision set forth at its founding in 1882 by Fr. McGivney, we are in a position to help Catholic Families who have loved ones with Special Needs to ensure a quality of life for their children rather than just life-time care. And, yes, there is a difference. Come and see!

    Topics to be covered include:

    • Wills and Documents “language matters”
    • Guardianship – who, when & why
    • Trusts & ABLE accounts
    • Guard.Grow.Give with KofC Insurance & KocAA
    • Planning for your loved ones at all ages and stages of life


  • R.I.P. Mark Durma

    R.I.P. Mark Durma

    Unfortunately, some very sad news to share today. One of our brother Knights, Mark Durma, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Services are in the care of Collins Funeral Home in Norwalk. The link to his obituary is https://www.collinsfh.com/obituary/mark-durma.

    Visitations at Collins Funeral Home at 92 East Ave, Norwalk are on:
    – Tuesday August 5th from 5 to 7pm
    – Wednesday August 6th from 9 to 10am

    Funeral Service: Wednesday August 6th 10:30am at Our Lady of Fatima, 229 Danbury Road, Wilton.

    Graveside Service: Wednesday August 6th at 165 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT.

    By his death, our Council has sustained the loss of an exemplary Catholic gentleman and worthy Knight of Columbus; May he rest in peace.

    HIs obituary can be found here.


  • David Flynn joins the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus

    David Flynn joins the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus

    Congratulations to Dave Flynn on becoming a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus at the Fourth Degree Exemplification held on July 19th at St. Andrew’s Church in Bridgeport. This was the second Exemplification using the new script and the honoree of the exemplification was Sir Knight Sergio Toni.

    The primary reason to become a Fourth Degree Knight is to embrace and promote patriotism, actively engage in civic duties, and serve as a visible representation of Catholic citizenship and faith within the community. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate love of country and uphold the values of the Knights of Columbus through service and leadership. 

    Dave is our second 3rd Degree Knight this year to advance to 4th Degree, following Peter Rubsam’s ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

    I hope to see more people follow in Dave and Peter’s steps over the coming months.

    Congratulations again Dave!


  • Meet our 2025-26 Officers

    Meet our 2025-26 Officers


  • Easter Weekend Activities

    Easter Weekend Activities

    Firstly, I hope you all had a very happy easter and that the resurrection of Christ brought you and your family peace and joy as you rejoiced in the miracle of Easter, surrounded by the love of family, the warmth of friendship, and the blessings of faith.

    I also want to thank all the Knights and our sister Columbiettes who volunteered and participated in the Easter Activities over the weekend. What a fantastic effort to get everything just right, from the cleaning of the Church, the beautiful flowers that were added by the Columbiettes, the washing of the feet, the preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt, the joy on the children’s faces, and the beautiful Easter Vigil Service by Fr. Pawel. I hope you all had a great Easter!