August 2021 – Knight of the Month – PGK John Heinen

Name: John Heinen

Born and Raised in: Los Angeles, CA. Fifth of seven children.

Married to: Kay for how long?: 46 years

Kids (and their names): None

Occupation: Retired mainframe computer programmer/analyst.

Major Jobs: I spent my entire 34-year career at General Dynamics Data Systems

Division (later acquired by CSC). I was hired directly out of college as a computer

programmer, then became a Payroll/Personnel Systems computer analyst, including 3+

years assigned to a special project at Fr. Joe’s Villages.

Why you decided to join the Knights?: I wanted to join an organization that would

allow me to help other people while serving the Church and my parish community.

What is one thing that your friends probably don’t know about you?: There is not

much that my friends don’t know. But newer Knights might not know that I served two

2-year terms as Grand Knight, and have held many chairmanships, including the RSVP

Vocations program, Keep Christ in Christmas, and the Tootsie Roll program for the

Developmentally Disabled. I was also the chairman of the Entertainment Book sales

program for many years. I am the primary contact with widows of council members and

am currently responsible for scheduling of masses for deceased members as provided

in our by-laws. I also served as Parish Council president for 30+ years under three

different pastors.

Favorite Hobby: Video photography and editing.

If you got to start over again after graduating school, what would you change?:

There is really nothing I would change. The choices I made back then have led me to

the life and the friends I have today.

Did you travel much?: In addition to traveling throughout the US for work, we have

traveled to the Holy Land, Rome, Greece, Alaska, and took a train trip across Canada

How long have you been a Parishioner of St. Gabriel?: Since 1975.