The idea of establishing an Alhambra Caravan in the city of Windsor, Ont. and the city of Detroit first originated when Sir Noble Syl Kirby, who was a member of Musa Caravan #25 of Rochester, New York, was transferred to his new office in downtown Detroit. Sir Noble Syl Kirby began promoting Alhambran Words of Wisdom to certain Knights of Columbus members from both Detroit and Windsor.
Finally in the spring of 1948, plans materialized and a motorcade left Windsor, Ont. for Buffalo, New York with neophytes to "trek" over the hot sands to Mecca. In Buffalo, New York, this group of eighteen newly initiated and fezzed Sir Nobles held their first caravan meeting, received their charter, caravan name of Guzera #72 and elected their first officer's divan.
On November 21, 1948, another group of neophytes traveled their way to Buffalo, NY for a second pilgrimage to Mecca. This group included two men from Detroit, MI, Al LaMothe and Dr James Pagenette.
The following year, Sir Nobles Syl Kirby, Al LaMothe and Dr. James Pagenette secured thirty-one neophytes selected from Knights of Columbus councils, Detroit #305, Gabriel Richard, and St Paul, who were initiated in Buffalo, NY on May 15, 1949.
The newly chartered Detroit Caravan #77 was given the name Galicia. The first meeting of this newly formed caravan was held on May 31, 1949 at Detroit Council #305 and election of its Grand Divan took place with J. Albert LaMothe elected as the first Grand Commander.
The first several years of Galicia #77's existence was a time of organization, socialization and recruitment of new members.
During the tenure of Grand Commander Frank Engel, it was decided that Galicia would form its own Ceremonial Corps, instead of making the annual "Trek to Mecca" in Buffalo, NY. In 1954, SN Syl Kirby , aided by over seventy Galicians, formed the Galicia Ceremonial team. Money was scarce. They built and painted the scenery. Each member of the team bought his own uniform or costume. Equipment was borrowed from the Baltimore home office. On May 16, 1954, the first class was inducted into the Order of Alhambra by the now famous Galicia Ceremonial team. This team has journeyed to Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH to display their talent.
In August of 1959, the Order of Alhambra held their Biennial Convention at the Statler Hilton in Detroit. This was a truly international convention since Guzera Caravan #72 of Windsor, Ont. shared in hosting the activities. The Grand Marshall of a Woodward Avenue parade was Detroit Mayor SN Eugene VanAntwerp. During this convention, the Order of Alhambra agreed to a major change of direction when it resolved that the main charity of the order would be assisting the Mentally Retarded.
From this beginning other Michigan caravans were formed: Braga, Ordono, Barcelona, Tagus, Ghalib, Malaga, Minorca, Denia and Koreisk; from these were formed: Manresa, Amaya, Beja and Zaragosa.
| PAST GRAND COMMANDERS | |
|---|---|
J. Albert LaMonthe  |
|
| Eugene J. Fisher |
|
| Dr. James E. Pagenette |
|
| Walter J. Gaffney |
|
| Frank H. Engel |
|
| R. Norbert Szwed |
|
| Joseph Rogers, Jr. |
|
| Mark Orlick |
|
| Francis E. Shannahan |
|
| Joseph P. Koreck, Jr. |
|
| Theodore A. Rogers | |
| Jess Pereca |
|
| Charles A. Youngblood |
|
| Michael Kranson | |
| Harry S. Mutter | |
| Constant Phillips |
|
| Vito Peraino |
|
| Peter P. Kazendo |
|
| Clifford S. Loch |
|
| Joseph J. Consiglio | |
| James E. O'Halloran, PSC | |
| James L. Bordas |
|
| Edward F. Piotrowski |
|
| William L. Marchiori | |
| Richard Paul |
|
| Paul Matera |
|
| Donald T. Serpien | |
| Leonard Kusch |
|
| Leonard Rzeppa |
|
| Angelo Miele, Jr. PSC | |
| Lawrence C. Huddleston, Jr. | |
| Philip Damico | |
| Robert Swajanen | |
| Robert B. Newell | |
| Ottilio Sabatini | |
| Michael Miele | |
| Marcel Werbrouck | |
| Gerald Sussala | |
| Glenn(Butch) Glanert | |
| Joseph Jakubiec | |
| Gary Snyder | |
| Raymond Redmond | |
| Thomas Messenger | |
| Peppino Tedesco |
|
| Ronald Kaczorowski | |
| Robert Plotkowski | |
| Albert Paparelli |
|
| Pasquale (Pat) Casasanta | |
| Richard Garska | |
| William R. Marchiori | |
| Harry E. Deneweth | |
| Michael A. Nicholls | |
| Biagio Ancona | |
| Donald J. Vandamme | |
| John W. Kelleher | |
| = Deceased |
|
| © Copyright 2000 International Order of Alhambra | Site created & maintained by Bos Graphics. |