Joseph W (Joe) Knapp

Joseph Wesley Knapp, age 88, of Georgetown, passed away peacefully at home, Friday morning February 10. Born in Springfield, MA on June 20, 1934, He was the son of the late Esther M. (Lockerby) Knapp and Joseph H. Knapp. After graduating from Agawam High School and marrying his high school sweetheart, Carol Bailey he worked at GE in Pittsfield, MA while living in Lanesborough where their children were born. In 1963 he began working for Bell Labs in North Andover and moved his family to Georgetown while completing his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at Northeastern where he graduated Summa Cum Laude on his birthday, which also happened to be Father’s Day, in 1965. While at Bell Labs he worked extensively on microwave technology (for communication not for cooking!) At home, designing & working with his hands was a passion as he rebuilt and added to his home and relandscaped his yard almost completely by himself. His family enjoyed the many weekend camping trips throughout New England, especially to Newfound Lake in NH and one extensive trip out west including Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon National Parks. After the untimely passing of Carol, he was lucky enough to find a new loving companion and married Beverly in September of 1985. After his retirement he enjoyed his breakfasts with the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and became quite active in the Historical Society and the Historical Commission of Georgetown where he spearheaded the restoration of Union Cemetery and the refurbishment of Harry Murch Park.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 37 years, Beverly (Tyrie) Knapp, his brother, James R. Knapp of Feeding Hills, MA, his daughter, Kimberlee A. Knapp of Georgetown and her daughter Shaylin Elliott of Bangor ME, his son, Robert W. and wife Emily J. (Perley) Knapp of Georgetown and their son Tyler R. Knapp of Northampton, MA. In addition to many nieces, nephews and cousins, Joe will also be missed by the daughters and son and their spouses of Beverly; Beth A. & Joseph Evans of Haverhill, Lisa K. & Roy Golisano of Milford, NH and Charles A. & Sandra Henderson of Methuen, their children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Carol A. (Bailey) Knapp (1981) and his sister Janet M. (Knapp) McCollum (2019)

Calling hours are Friday, February 24, 2023, from 4 – 8 PM at the Conte- Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown, MA 01833. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11 AM at the Byfield Parish Church, 132 Jackman St, Georgetown, MA   Burial will follow the service in Harmony Cemetery in Georgetown, MA. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Joe’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Salvation Army. For funeral home directions, florists or to share a memory of Joe with his family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com
 

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