House Republican Press Release

May 2, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Sen. DeLuca, Rep. Piscopo: Thomaston Road to be Named After Father McGivney

A connector road in Thomaston will be named the “Father McGivney Way Memorial Connector” in honor of Father Michael J. McGivney (1852-1890), the founder of the Knights of Columbus and the pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston until his death in 1890, state Senate Republican Leader Louis C. DeLuca, R-Woodbury, and state Representative John E. Piscopo, R-Thomaston, announced today. 

The connector road, the first connector in Connecticut to be designated with a name, runs in a generally westerly direction from East Main Street (Route 222) west to the junction with North Main Street (Route 222) in Thomaston in front of St. Thomas Church, the legislators said.

“Father McGivney was a man whose tireless dedication to his faith as a priest and as the founder of the Knights of Columbus make him a special part of the history of Greater Waterbury, and I could not be more enthusiastic in supporting this effort to name a portion of Route 222 after him,” said Senator DeLuca.  “His life is an example to us all of how one person can make a difference through generosity and showing compassion for others.  This stretch of road will serve as a reminder to everyone about Father McGivney’s remarkable life and the influence he had on so many people in our part of the state, and throughout the country.”

“St. Thomas Church in Thomaston was Father McGivney’s last parish. It was a factory parish that served working class parishioners and it was heavily in debt. While struggling to discharge the church’s debt, Father McGivney helped the Knights of Columbus, the order he founded, to extend its membership into Rhode Island. Although he died at the age of 38, Father McGivney accomplished more in his life than most men twice his age. Naming this section of Route 222 after him honors Father McGivney and recognizes his importance to Thomaston,” said Representative Piscopo, “I’m glad we succeeded in getting a provision naming the connector after Father McGivney inserted in a transportation bill (House Bill 5664) that gained final legislative approval in the state Senate today.”

Father McGivney, a Waterbury native, is currently being considered for Sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church.