Frank W. Knowlton

An Extraordinary Individual Passes

Frank W. Knowlton, 92, of Kerhonkson, NY, passed away peacefully with family at his side on September 15, 2014 at Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Kingston, NY. Frank had been a resident since July 2011. He died of natural causes.

He was born on May 7, 1922 in Harpursville, NY. Frank was a veteran of WWII serving with the US Army 8th Air Force. He was a retired Corrections Officer with the NYS Department of Corrections.  Frank married his wife Dorothy J. Baker on June 30, 1947. Dorothy predeceased him on December 31, 2004.

Frank is survived by his daughter Vivian Knowlton Purcell of Kerhonkson, NY, her companion James Norton of Kingston, NY, his son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Alycia Knowlton of Stillwater, NY and son John Knowlton. Frank has two grandchildren; Matthew Purcell and wife Jessica of New Paltz, NY, and Lisa Purcell and her husband Richard Curcio of Lake Katrine, NY, and three great-grandchildren; Jack Purcell, Cooper and Campbell Curcio.  

Frank’s hobbies included: tennis, gardening, photography, collecting postcards, coins, stamps and Indian artifacts. Frank was a MacGyver type of individual. He could fix most anything; with almost nothing. He was a key volunteer with the startup of the Ellenville Hospital in the mid 60’s; and the building of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kerhonkson, NY. Along with his wife Dorothy, they gave their resources endlessly to senior organizations and numerous other organizations, which delivered food baskets and clothing items during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Frank and Dorothy Knowlton were extraordinary human beings.

Visiting will be held on Wednesday, September 17th from 6-8pm at H.B. Humiston Funeral Home, 30 42nd St., Kerhonkson. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday the 18th at 10am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kerhonkson. Burial will follow at Pine Bush Cemetery, Kerhonkson.

Those wishing to may remember Frank through memorials to Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 99 Golden Hill Drive, Kingston, NY 12401 in his name.

The family would like to thank all of the individuals at Golden Hill for their dedication and outstanding care for Frank.