-- Contributed

Larry DeRosa, left, of Monsignor D.P. Murphy Council No. 3734, Weirton, recently was named Knight of the Year at the annual West Virginia State Knights of Columbus meeting. With him is Scott Nale, deputy grand knight of West Virginia. DeRosa was instrumental in spearheading the drive to secure the necessary funds to purchase an ultrasound machine to be placed in the Upper Ohio Valley. “He sent out e-mails to all the W.Va. Knights of Columbus Councils as well as the Ohio Knights of Columbus Councils in our area to get involved with this project,” explained Kevin Davis, worthy warden. “He was in constant contact with both W.Va. and Ohio state deputies and local district deputies, keeping them informed of the progress. Brother DeRosa got all the local councils to donate, as well as private citizens and current Knights of Columbus members to support the project,” Davis noted. The ultrasound machine is in place at the AIM Women’s Center in Steubenville, the nearest location that met all the requirements set forth by the Supreme and W.Va. Knights of Columbus. A member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Cumberland, DeRosa also is a member of the choir and the men’s club, having served as its president for eight years. He also serves on the maintenance committee and is a Eucharistic Minister, taking the Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins. He is a lector for weekly Mass and funerals and also serves on the church’s pastoral council. “Brother DeRosa’s devotion to the Knights of Columbus and to his Catholic faith is unparalleled,” Davis noted, adding DeRosa “donates $2,400 on a yearly basis to the charities of his choice, which is his yearly salary for his duties as financial secretary of Council No. 3734 of Weirton.”