Wayne H. Knight

Franklin Wayne H. Knight Wayne H. Knight, 91, of Franklin, NH passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, May 19th, 2015. Wayne was born in Burlington, VT, on September 29th, 1923, the second son of Ross and Alice Adams Knight. He is survived by Janet (Graham), his wife of 69 years, his four children Ken Knight of Raleigh, NC, Tim Knight of Pottstown, PA, John Knight of Placitas, NM and Martha Knight Lefebvre of Tilton, NH, his seven grandchildren, Kim, Scott, Nicole, Julianne, Abby, Suzanne and Ross, his five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Danielle, Izabella, Delaney and Dylan and his sister Nathalie Knight Ossenfort of Clifton Park, NY and brother Guy Knight of Charlotte, NC. He was predeceased by his brother Ross Knight of Charlotte, NC, also a World War II veteran, who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Wayne was raised in Lebanon NH, graduating from high school there in 1941. Like every young man in his class, he joined the service as soon as he could after Pearl Harbor. He finished his freshman year at UNH and was off to the US Navy Flight School and trained as a Marine aviator, flying F4U Corsairs in the South Pacific in World War II (Squadron VMF-311 Hell�s Belles) where he was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was called back into the service, this time flying H-19 helicopters in the Korean War (Squadron HMR-161. Wayne served in the Civil Air Patrol in the late 1950�s � early 1960�s and remained active in the Twin States Marine Corps League throughout his life and was especially involved in Toys for Tots. Wayne and his family lived in Franklin NH for many years. Wayne was instrumental in the opening of the Insulating Fabricators facility in West Franklin. He was active in the Franklin community serving as President of the Rotary Club, running for City Council and helping with the early work in the creation of the Ragged Mountain Ski Area where his sons have memories of clearing a lot of brush. He served as a Grafton Town Selectman from 1975-1977 and volunteered for many years as an adult education math teacher. Wayne ended his working career as Director of Purchasing for IPC in Bristol (now Freudenberg), retiring in 1986. Wayne was fiercely loyal to his family and his country and will be remembered by his family and friends alike as a true American hero - Tom Brokaw got it right when he called them �The Greatest Generation.� A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 D.W. Highway, Boscawen, burial will follow. Arrangements are under the care of the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home in Tilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Wayne may be made to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172.