WEBSTER - Joseph J. Knych, 98, of Christopher Heights, died Sunday, August 16, 2015 in Lanessa Extended Care after a period of declining health. His wife of 66 years, Alice B. (Mitchell) Knych, died in 2006.
He leaves a son, Joseph A. Knych and his wife Carolyn of Albany, NY; 2 granddaughters, Laurie A. Knych and her companion Paul Martino of Schenectady, NY and Lisa M. Hogan and her husband Paul of Cohoes, NY; a great-grandson, Ryan Hogan; a sister, Gladys Przystas of Webster; nephews and nieces.
He was born and raised in Webster, one of the 9 children of Stephen and Catherine (Sikora) Knych. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Elementary School and attended Bartlett High School. He lived in Northbridge and Falmouth before moving back to Webster. He and his wife spent the winter months in Pompano as well as Lake Worth, FL for about 10 years.
Mr. Knych first worked as a loom fixer at the Paul Whitin Manufacturing Company in Whitinsville for 7 years. He and his wife owned and operated the Klondike Inn in South Grafton from 1946 to 1972. He then worked as the head night custodian at Falmouth High School for 10 years, retiring in 1982.
He was a member of Saint Joseph Basilica. He served as the treasurer of the Grafton Democratic Town Committee for several years. As a warden of Precinct 3, he attended the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. He also belonged to the Grafton Citizens Advisory Committee. He was a life member of the Falmouth Lodge of Elks #2380.
He enjoyed playing and watching golf and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan.
The family would like to thank the staff at Christopher Heights for their care and concern for Joe during the 12 years he lived there.
The funeral will be held Friday, August 21, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, South Grafton. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, August 20, in the funeral home. Memorials in his name may be made to St. Joseph School Immediate Needs Fund, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570.