Meet Our Board of Directors
Providing Help – Creating Hope
| Photo of Director | Name | Bio |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey Granatier President and CEO… | Harvey joined the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation Board of Directors in 2006 and was elected President & CEO in 2008. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 35 years. Harvey had the privilege to serve as the Conferring Officer for the Major Degree Team from 1986 – 2011 (22 years). Harvey was employed for 35 years within the financial services industry He retired as CEO of Conexus Credit Union in Regina. He has also held positions on numerous Boards of Directors including Chair of the Board for Concentra Financial Group as well as Co-Operators Group of Companies. Harvey currently resides in Saskatoon together with his wife Donna. Their primary enjoyment involves spending time with their three adult children and six grandchildren. In addition, they enjoy golfing, fishing, travelling and relaxing at their cabin at the lake. |
| Bishop Emeritus Albert Thevenot | Born in Treherne, Manitoba on November 6, 1945 Eleventh child of 12 Lived in Somerset, Manitoba. Went to Somerset, Richard School and did my high School at St. Boniface, while living at the Junior Seminary of St. Boniface. Joined the Missionaries of Africa in 1964 as a Brother. Did Profession in 1967 in Montreal. Finished my studies at St. Boniface with a B.A. and a certificate in secondary school teaching. Went to Tanzania to the Seminary of Katoke of the diocese or Rulenge. Returned to Canada to study in Education. Then went to the Missionary Institute of London to study Theology. Was ordained to the priesthood on August 2nd 1980 in my home town. Worked in Tanzania for 5 years and then in Western Canada for Seven y ears and then returned to Tanzania. In 1998 moved to Rome for Six years. In 2004 worked in P.Q. for four years. In 2008 Ordained Bishop of Prince Albert Retired in June of 2021. |
| Mervyn V. Welter, B.A., B.ED, PSD Vice President… | Mervyn is a retired schoolteacher and in-school administrator, employed for thirty years as a Saskatchewan educator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education Administration from the University of Saskatchewan as well as the Canadian Securities Course and the Professional Financial Planning Course from the Canadian Securities Institute. As a Knight of Columbus, Mervyn has served at the Council and State level in various portfolios, culminating as State Deputy from 1992-94. At the Fourth Degree level, he served as Master for Saskatchewan and Vice Supreme Master of the Simon Fraser Province (Western Canada). At the community level, Mervyn has served as a director on the boards of Battleford Catholic Family Services and Battlefords Credit Union. Mervyn has been a member of the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation Board for thirty years. At present, he serves as Vice-President as well as Chairman of the Investment and Planned Giving Committees. With his extensive background and experience, Mervyn is an avid supporter of the Foundation and offers his expertise to the Foundation Board in a spirit of charity, unity and fraternity. |
| Brad Lefebvre Secretary | Brad was born in Humboldt and grew up in Englefeld, Sask. He is presently involved in the day-to-day operations of Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel in Humboldt, a business they opened in April of 1992. He is married to Wanda and they have two sons, Nathan and Landon. They enjoy a wide variety of activities, especially cross country skiing, canoeing, Bronco hockey games, and the great outdoors in general. Brad joined the Knights of Columbus in Rosetown, in 1990, and now belongs to Council 1886 in Humboldt. More recently, in 2009, he joined the Abbot Severin Gertken 4th Degree Assembly 2166. Brad and Wanda are also quite involved in their church, St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt. “Our family loves living in Humboldt, and our doors are always open to family and friends”. |
| Garth Herbert FCPA, FCA Treasurer | Garth joined the Knights of Columbus through Holy Family in Regina (Council 10797). He has served on the executive of the Council in a number of positions including Grand Knight. He participated in the Regina Chapter of the Knights as both a member and as Treasurer. He has been involved in Holy Family Parish in many capacities including the Finance Council Chair, Archbishop’s Annual Appeal Chair and, most recently Stewardship Chair. Garth has been involved with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan (now CPA Sask) and the Canadian Diabetes Association (now Diabetes Canada) in many capacities both culminating in being the Chair of the Board. He is currently employed with Saskatchewan Finance. Garth and his wife Donna live and work in Regina with their twin boys. The family’s interest range from curling to music. |
| Chris Bencharski Past State Deputy and Director | Chris joined Meadow Lake Council #5259 in 1984 and Meadow Lake 4th Degree Assembly #2792, serving as Charter Faithful Navigator from 2002-2005, and has been active ever since. In 1991, Chris and Pat with their 3 children were selected as Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus State Family of the Year. His many Council, District and Provincial accomplishments include: Grand Knight for 5 years, and as District Deputy for District #19 for 5 ½ years, Chris attained Star District for 3 of those and once an ALL STAR District. At the State level, Chris served in many of the Program chairmanships and then was elected to State Board in 2010. Having served in all the State Board positions, Chris was elected State Deputy in 2018. As State Deputy, he and his team were the first Jurisdiction in Canada to receive the CANADA CUP for two consecutive years as well as receiving the Circle of Honour for two consecutive years. Effective Sept. 1/21, Chris has been appointed Master of the 4th Degree for the District of Saskatchewan. Both Pat and Chris have remained active in their community throughout this time including over 40 years of service to their Church. After retiring from his teaching Career, Chris and Pat have ventured into a couple of small businesses. They both enjoy gardening, travelling, camping, hunting, fishing, visiting friends, doing volunteer work and spoiling their 4 grandsons. |
| Shawn Sherr Director | Shawn joined the Knights of Columbus Council as a charter member of Council #8215 in 1983 and is presently a charter member of Saskatoon Council #2695 enjoying every minute. He has served in many executive positions including Grand Knight twice, Financial Secretary, District Deputy, State Wheelchair Chair, State Coats for Kids Chair. He was elected to the Board of the Saskatchewan K of C Charitable Foundation in 2018. Shawn served as president of the CN Curling Club in Saskatoon, one term on the Canadian Spina Bifida Association and served on many other committees organizing fundraisers. He has been employed by the Hudson’s Company for the past 38 years. Shawn lives in Saskatoon with my wife Laurel. They have raised three beautiful girls, Carly, Christine and Chantel. |
| Marvin DeSchryver, PSD Director | Marvin joined the Denzil Council #3920 in 1978. He served in most executive positions in his Council including Grand Knight. He served in all the State Board positions including State Deputy from 2006-08. In 1998 Marvin joined the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation. Marvin joined Fr. Schweer’s Assembly #1425 of the Fourth Degree in 1998 and presently serves as Faithful Navigator. Marvin’s job with Sask Power as District Operator brought him and his wife Pat to Denzil in 1974. In 1978 they purchased some farmland west of town where they moved with their four children. Since all the children are now grown and away from home, both Marvin and Pat are fully involved in their church and community as well as the Denzil KC Council and CWL. Marvin and Pat both love singing, curling and playing cards with the neighbours. Their nine grandchildren are the light of their eyes and they love to spend time with them. |
| Tom Fortosky Director | Tom Fortosky joined the Knights of Columbus in 1986 with Council 1517 in Saskatoon. He was a charter member of St. Mary’s Council 9538 and a member of Yorkton Council 2031 where he served as Grand Knight. He is currently a member of Denis Mahoney Council 8215. He joined the 4th Degree in 1993 with Brother Stanislaus Assembly 1286 and is currently a member of D’Arcy McGee Assembly 1065. Tom received his law degree in 1986 and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1987. He had a general practice of law until 1999, including 10 years in Yorkton. In 1999 Tom returned to Saskatoon and practiced Labour and Employment Law until 2016. As of 2017, he is a non-practicing lawyer. Tom has a passion for Catholic Education. He first served as a Catholic School Trustee in Yorkton where he was elected to the Yorkton Catholic School Board in 1997. He served until his return to Saskatoon in 1999. In 2003 he was elected as Trustee to the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board where he served until accepting his current position as Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) in 2017. Tom is a member of the parish of the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. He is married to Heather, and they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. |
| Joe Riffel Immediate Past State Deputy and Director | Joseph Riffel was born in Regina, Dec 1970, but raised in Saskatoon. He attended BJM High School and then attended the UofS for a couple of years. Things weren’t going to plan, so he moved on. He worked for various companies, moving up as able, then moving on as promotions topped out. In the mid-’90s, he met a lovely woman, Tracy. They have been married since 1999, having 2 children: John & Rayann. Currently, he works for BN Steel & Metals, overseeing the operation of a metal shredder and non-ferrous metal recovery system. The family attends ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ parish; serving at the parish as needed. Joe joined the Knights of Columbus on October 20/03, joining Council #10587 – St Augustine. He took his 2nd & 3rd Degree March 7/04 in Regina, in the presence of his Grand Father, Fr John Riffel (FSC, FDM, PSD). He joined the Council Executive of #10587 as Outside Guard July/04. And then things took off from there. Effective July/05, was elected Deputy Grand Knight and effective July/06, was elected Grand Knight. Then served as a Trustee, and as well as Council Youth Director. He is active in many council activities: Basketball Free throw, past Bingo Captain, annual parish breakfasts, fundraisers, organizing the children’s programs for the State Conventions in S’toon, etc. He joined the 4th Degree on November 12/05 (D’Arcy McGee assembly #1065), serving since as Sentinel on the Executive. He also serves as a member of the Honour Guard and assists at many Exemplifications as needed. |
| Larry Packet, State Deputy and Director | Larry’s involvement with the Knights of Columbus has been both extensive and satisfying, being actively involved in his council, parish, community and serving on the Sask State Council in the various executive positions. Larry is involved with Special Olympics, serves on the board for the Knights of Columbus Saskatchewan Indoor Games and the Saskatchewan K of C Charitable Foundation. Larry has a beautiful wife of 35 years Judi and is blessed as a father to three terrific daughters and one son. They have six energetic grandchildren under the age of four. Larry visits shut-ins regularly and truly loves his role in the order. He and Judi had the experience of delivering wheelchairs in Costa Rica which has had a profound effect on how he views charity work. The Knights of Columbus have been very rewarding. The spiritual growth, the church involvement, the charity work, the influence of elders, and the chance to make a difference have moulded him into the man he has become today. In 100 years it won’t matter how much money you had, the kind of car you drove, or what house you lived in. What will matter is what you did to make a positive difference in this world. Larry is a better father because he cared about his church, country, family, community and all this was possible because HE BELONGED TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. Larry is very proud to say that he is a Catholic man, a Knight of Columbus, and a proud Canadian. He is very proud of his accomplishments to date with the Knights and cherishes the friendships he’s made with the people he has met within the councils. |
| SK Gerry J. Gieni Executive Secretary | Brother Gerry is well suited for the challenges given his 34 years as a 3rd Degree and 32 years as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, recently retiring from a lengthy career as an executive manager, including the last 21 years serving as the chief financial officer with the Moose Jaw Catholic School Board. Brother Gerry has served the Father Lawless Council #1534, Moose Jaw in most Officer positions and is a Past Grand Knight. Currently he is a CO with the Sask State Ceremonials Team (3rd Degree Team) and DGK on the Council Admission Degree Team. He is also presently the Financial Secretary for the Father Lawless Council #1534. |
| SK Peter Folk, Webmaster | Peter Folk has been active in the Knights of Columbus for many years, serving as Grand Knight, and Financial Secretary with Msgr. Robinson Council 8279 in Saskatoon. He now is a member of Denis Mahoney Council 8215 in Saskatoon. He has been creating and maintaining websites for many years and is the webmaster for both the Saskatchewan State Council website and the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation website as well as other businesses. Peter lives in Saskatoon with his wife Donna and daughter Erin. He has two other daughters, Stacey and Darcy, and a son Brad. He also has two granddaughters Jeannette and Grace. |