THE MOST PUISSANT GRAND COUNCIL
ROYAL & SELECT MASTERS of CONNECTICUT
Organized May 18, 1819
The Oldest Grand Council in the World

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Most Puissant Grand Master
James C. Kleinkauf
2010 - 2011BIOGRAPHY

           James Charles Kleinkauf was born in New Haven, Connecticut and has lived in Guilford, Connecticut all his life.  Growing up on the shoreline, he has always had a strong love for the ocean.  He was a member of the Guilford Sea Scouts and participated in the annual Memorial Day wreath ceremonies and became an Assistant Sea Scout Master.  James built motorized bicycles and go carts in between studying, fishing and running his own lawn mowing business.  After graduating from Guilford Senior High School in 1961, he became a machinist foreman at the George Schmidt Company in Guilford before deciding to apprentice to Al Offredi, master plumber of Offredi Plumbing and Heating.  During that time, he took over as the Sea Scout Master to train Guilford youths in Seamanship.  An avid outdoorsman, James enjoys hunting, boating and riding motorcycles.  
            James married Suzanne V. Kawra, his high school sweetheart, in 1963 and started his career as a journeyman plumber with Collopy Plumbing and Heating of Branford.  During this time, he went to Eli Whitney Technical School to further his education and received a certificate at the end of his studies.  In 1970, a daughter Jamie Sue was born to James and Suzanne,  and James finished his Master Plumbing training with D'Amico Plumbing and Heating of Branford and received his license from the State of Connecticut.
    In 1973, he started his own business, "James C. Kleinkauf, Plumbing & Heating" in Guilford.
            James joined St. Alban's Lodge #38 AF & AM in 1975, Halleck Chapter # 44 in 1977, Eastern Star in 1981, Crawford Council and also New Haven Commandery # 2 in 1982. He joined Menunketuck Council # 36 as a charter member in 1985.  As Master of St. Albans Lodge in 1982, he received the Master's Achievement Award.  When his daughter Jamie was in The International Order of Rainbow for girls, he was the Tyler for the Guilford Assembly.  Jamie Sue became Worthy Advisor and Grand Faith for the State of Connecticut and James received the Grand Cross of Color with her in 1986.
            James served as High Priest for Halleck Chapter #44 from 2001-2002 and 2010.  He has been a member of the York Rite College #17 since 2008.  He was elected Thrice Illustrious Master for Menunketuck Council #36 from 2003, 2004 and 2009.  In 2006, he was appointed to The Most Puissant Grand Council as the Grand Conductor by the Past Most Puissant Grand Master, Peter J. Stapleton.  In 2007, he received the Knight of Ish Sodi award.
            James became a member of the Guilford Jaycee's in 1977.  As a member of the Guilford chapter of the Jaycees, he assisted with the annual Christmas party for underprivileged children.  He was an integral part of the restoration of the buildings and fences at Jacobs Beach in Guilford, and he  trained youths on gun safety and BB gun shooter education, regarding the correct way to handle firearms.
            During his three year civic tenure, James won many recognitions including the Sparkplug award, Jaycee of the Year Award for 1979 and the John H. Armbruster "Keyman Award".
            James formed the Masons Knights Brothers II Club to raise money for the hearing-handicapped Guilford residents.  He organized the annual "Haunted Hall" as a safe Halloween activity for local youths.   He was a member of Guilford Community Television (GCTV) and served on the Board of Directors for three years.  He volunteered and filmed Guilford Town Meetings for the Boards of Selectman, Finance, and Education, as well as Planning & Zoning meetings and town elections.  James trained members and the public on how to use the equipment as well as maintaining the equipment and scheduling rentals.
            James was also a member of the Guilford Harbor Management Commission for eight years and is currently on the Marina Commission.