John Patrick McKnight

John Patrick (Jack) McKnight

March 20, 1932 – August 11, 2021

John P. (Jack) McKnight, 89, of Cromwell, CT passed away peacefully on August 11, 2021, at Wadsworth Glen Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Middletown, CT.

Jack was predeceased by his beautiful wife of 58 years, Edith McKnight, of Cromwell. As well as his sons Kevin A. McKnight of Cromwell and Thomas McKnight of Silver Spring, MD and his beloved brothers James McKnight, Robert McKnight and Richard McKnight of Newburgh, NY.

Jack was the son of the late John A. and Blanche (McKay) McKnight, formerly of Newburgh, NY. He is survived by his sons William and his wife Tracey McKnight of Wallingford, Kevin and his wife Dawn Brooks of Golden Valley, AZ and John (Jack) McKnight Jr. of Hagerstown, MD and his grandsons Kevin McKnight and his girlfriend Savannah Davis of Cromwell, Daniel McKnight and his girlfriend Amanda Reyes of Enfield, Daniel Jakiela-Evon of Wallingford as well as Lori Ouellette and her husband Rodney, and several nieces and nephews. 

Jack grew up in Newburgh New York in the shadows of St. Patrick’s Church where he excelled in basketball and football, Jack enlisted in the US Navy in 1951 and faithfully served his country for 20 years retiring in 1971 with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. During his naval career he was stationed at N.A.S. Norfolk, VA, Quonset Point, RI, Key West, FL and Bermuda where he met his beloved wife, Edie. He was honored to have served aboard the USS Wasp, USS Casa Grande, USS Lake Champlain and most honorably the USS Intrepid.

Jack and Edie enjoyed many trips to Ogunquit, ME, as well as countless trips to the Connecticut casinos. Jack was also an avid fan of Boston Red Sox baseball and UCONN Huskies basketball.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main St., Cromwell.

A graveside service will be held with full military honors on Wednesday, August 18, 2021at 10:00am in Cromwell Hillside Cemetery West, 29 Hillside Road, Cromwell, where he will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Edie and his son Kevin.                       

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the Cromwell Professional Firefighters Local 4662, PO Box 43, Cromwell, CT 06416 or to Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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