Joseph A. Macknight

Joseph A. Macknight, 78, died December 1 at his residence in Brookfield. He was the husband of the late Dolores (Krasa) Macknight.

He was the father of Kevin Macknight of Newtown.

Mr Macknight was born in Montclair, N.J. on June 17, 1921, son of the late Joseph A. Macknight and Antoinette (Anton) Finnegan. He received his education in New Jersey schools, and was a graduate of Seton Hall University. Mr Macknight served in the US Army, and was part of the 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. At the outbreak of World War II, he served in the Military Police, where he was hand picked by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war he worked as a sales manager for Sherwin Williams.

He was a member of St Joseph Church in Brookfield, where he served as an usher. Mr Macknight was also active in the Brookfield Parks and Recreation, where he served as a tennis instructor. His passion in life was tennis, and he won the men’s doubles championship in 1973. Mr Macknight was instrumental in bringing the tennis program to both Danbury and Brookfield.

He was a 12-year member and former vice chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission; a New England Tennis Umpire Association member for over ten years; original founder of St Joseph Men’s Retreat Council; an original scout founder of Troop 8, Brookfield; and charter member and former president of St Joseph Catholic Men’s Club.

He also is survived by another son, Joseph A. Macknight, Jr, of Southwick, Mass., and three daughters, Kathleen Barta of Wallingford, Eileen Yeates of Houston, Tex., and Mary Ann Palmer, of Naugatuck.

A devoted family man, Papa Joe is also survived by his 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass was held at St Joseph Church, Brookfield, on December 6.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his memory to the Parkinson Disease Foundation, 850 Mix Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514.

The Brookfield Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee         December 10, 1999