Obituary of Raymond W. Knapp Jr.

Raymond W. Knapp Jr., age 71, of Monroe, beloved husband of Mary Alice Casazza Knapp, passed away peacefully at Vitas Hospice in Waterbury on Friday, May 5, 2017, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bridgeport on September 2, 1945, he was a son of the late Raymond W., Sr. and Irene Broderick Knapp. A graduate of Notre Dame High School, Ray went on to serve his country with honor and pride in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School and also the Naval Medical School in Bethesda, MD as an Optical Technician. Ray served on the U.S.S. Sanctuary AH 17 and received several honors from the Navy, including a Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars. He was the owner and operator of R.W. Knapp Opticians and was the optical consultant at Sikorsky Aircraft for 47 years. He was a member of the American Legion and the B.P.O.E. Lodge #36 of Bridgeport. A longtime resident of Monroe, Ray was a member of the Democratic Town Council, Board of Planning and Zoning; was a liaison to the Board of Police Commissioners and was active in the Monroe-Trumbull Health District. But above all he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and was always steadfast in Catholic faith. He treasured time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, and will truly be missed. In addition to his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Alice, survivors include five loving children, David Knapp of Waterbury, Susan Knapp Almounayer and her husband Karim of Charlotte, NC, Kevin Knapp and his wife Jill of Acworth, GA, Karen Knapp Kmec and her husband Matthew of Wolcott and Cathleen Knapp of Waterbury, six cherished grandchildren, Adam, Zachariah, Brayden, Jackson, Logan and Liam, a brother, Thomas Broderick and his wife Sheera of Westport, NY, mother-in-law, Mary Alice Casazza of Tewksbury, MA, sisters-in-law, Patricia Riordan of Waltham, MA, Jean Morin of Plymouth, MA and Joanne Piazza and her husband Andrew of Nashua, NH, as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends including his longtime friend, Larry Ross of Peabody, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 11:00 am directly in St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday from 4–8 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elks National Foundation, Programs Department, 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-256.