SOUTH PLYMOUTH – Lyle “Jim” James Knapp, 64, of South Plymouth, passed away Friday morning, March 18, 2011, at the Veterans Hospital in Syracuse.
Jim was born in Norwich in March of 1946 the son of Frank H. and Grace (Brazee) Knapp. He grew up in Norwich and had attended the Norwich High School. Soon after his education, Jim entered the United States Marine Corps, serving his country during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge. Returning home he gained employment with the former Bennett-Ireland Plant as well as Sheffield Chemical. He worked for a period of 20 years for Victory Markets at their bakery and his last employment was with Chenango County where he worked at the Chenango County Office Building as their custodian.
Jim was very family oriented guy and enjoyed spending his time with his grandchildren. He was well liked by his many friends and was not afraid to put in a days work. With not a selfish bone in his body, he was always ready to help in any way possible. He was a man who had his own opinions and would often let you know by saying “not my place to say, but ...” Growing up in a large family, Jim was often the instigator in several of his sibling’s disagreements, but in the end was loved by all.
In 1973 in Plymouth, he married Rose Viele, who survives. Besides his wife Rose, Jim is survived by his children Emmett Knapp and his wife Amy of Blacksburg, S.C., Rebecca Corbin and her husband Robert of Norwich, Donald Knapp and his wife Nicole of Chenango Forks, his grandchildren Cali Knapp, Shawna and Benjamin Corbin, Branden and Sean Knapp and Dakota Wright, his sisters, Velma Parker of West Palm Beach, Fla., Cecile Fink and husband Kenneth of South Plymouth, Nancy Morris of Cincinnatus, Diana Wadsworth of South New Berlin, Daisy Larussa and husband Steven of Norwich, Terry Donnelly also of Norwich, Tina Favorito and husband Robert of Norwich, his brothers, Lawrence Knapp of South Plymouth, Gene Knapp and wife Cindy of New Berlin and Jerry Knapp and wife Marge of Norwich. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Jim was predeceased by his first wife Beverly Monroe Knapp, daughter Lisa Knapp, son Lyle Wright, granddaughter Ashley Wright, brother Stanley Knapp and sisters Cleo Taylor, Martha Knapp and twin sister Leila Knapp.
Memorial services for Jim will be held at 3 p.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Earlville, will officiate.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to the Plymouth Fire Dept., Plymouth, NY 13844.