Knights of Columbus Council #5811 Family of the Month for February 2009 - Brother Burton Coloma and Family

“I always wanted to join the Knights of Columbus” says Brother Burton Coloma, and for the sake of council #5811, we are glad that he did.  A new first degree member, Brother Burton and his family- wife Susan, Daughter Hanna (9), and son Keoni (6)-have been instrumental members of the Christ The King (CTK) community for several years.  Burton as a CYO basketball coach and volunteer at the Parish Festival and School Auction where he uses his trade as an Electrician and business owner to ensure that all the electrical for the event is taken care of- from inflatable ‘jumpy houses’ to music, Burton makes sure that it gets powered up.  Active as well, Susan has been a member of the CTK school board for the past three years.  Parishioners at CTK for several years, the family regularly attend Sunday 9:15 service.  As the kids got older, “we just got involved (in the parish and school), and then got more involved.  We’ve become friends with lots of people (at CTK)”, says Burton.  Participating in events at CTK, “is like going to a party, where we get to see our friends and extended family.  That’s how we see it. “

Brother Burton’s interest in the Knights goes back to days in Indiana, where he learned about the organization from Susan’s father and by attending events.  “He was a Knight for years”, says Burton of his father-in-law.  Then, while he and Susan were Honeymooning in Canada, Burton noticed a Knights of Columbus BINGO night and suggested that they attend.  It was then he told Susan that he had always wanted to join.  A few years ago, Burton completed his Form 100, but when he showed up for the first meeting, the date and/or time had been changed.  Then last November, after talking with Brother Jim Blair, he participated in a First Degree event.  “I feel like I bonded with the others”, says Burton.  With Susan and Burton’s families back in Indiana and Hawaii, respectively, the Knights and the CTK community truly are an extended family for the Colomas. 

When not busy around school or the parish, the Colomas enjoy taking advantage of many things that the Bay Area has to offer.  “People come from all over the world to visit San Francisco”, Burton tells his kids, adding that they are lucky to be able to visit at their leisure.  “Stay-cations” are what we call them- we stay local and enjoy vacation, says Burton.  “We like to take the kids to Chrissy Fields, and let the dogs run.”  The Exploratorium and DeYoung Museum are other local favorites, with the family being members of both.  In addition, you can find them around the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association or the YMCA Adventure Guides, where Burton volunteers as a coach and leader.  All of these are great ways to spend time with family and the kids.  It can be a pinewood derby, a father / daughter, or father / son event- whatever it is, you’ve got a chance of seeing the Colomas there.

The family also enjoys playing Volleyball.  It began about 25 years ago, when Burton and Susan were playing in a league together- which is where they met.  Since then, they have been playing regularly with the same friends, and have expanded the teams to include the kids.  Asked if he can keep up with the younger team members, Burton laughingly replied, “I can still dive for balls…”.

Burton’s enthusiasm for being a Knight and a member of the Christ The King community is infectious.  As a council, let’s hope that other’s notice the smile on his face when he talks about Council #5811.  There’s a good chance that if they do, one day, a new First Degree member will be telling a story of how meeting Brother Burton made him want to become a Knight.