Martin H. Carmody

Martin Henry Carmody (1872 – December 9, 1950) was the seventh Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from September 1, 1927 to August 31, 1939.

Carmody was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Martin and Anastasia Carmody. He attended Valparaiso Normal College and graduated in 1899 from the University of Michigan Law School. While attending law school, he played football as a guard on the 1899 Michigan Wolverines football team.

Carmody married Frances Brady in Grand Rapids in 1911. On December 9, 1950 Martin Carmody died at his home, aged 78, following a long illness. He was survived by his wife, daughter and three grandchildren.

In 1902, Carmody joined the Knights of Columbus and later became the Grand Knight of the Grand Rapids Council as well as the District Deputy, State Deputy, and Deputy Supreme Knight of the international order for 18 years. In 1927 Carmody was elected the seventh Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and was in that position until August 31, 1939. Carmody was a Chamberlain to Pope Pius XI.

For his war work during World War I he was made a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. The rank of commander of the Order of the Star of Morocco was conferred on him by Marshal Lyautey, the French president general of Morocco. Carmody held two ranks in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, awarded to him by Popes Benedict XV and Pius XI.