Gerard Francis Knapp

Rochester, New York:

Gerard Francis Knapp, age 98, went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 24, 2025. He peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family.

Gerard is predeceased in death by his wife , Joanne Marie Knapp , of 64 years , his parents, Jacob and Isabel Knapp, brother Harold, and sister-in-law, Ruth Knapp, niece, Colleen Ericson, and grandson , Jerry Ebner.

Gerard is survived by his children , Robert (Sandy )Knapp , Mary (William )Milillo, Thomas (Melanie)Knapp, Judith Turnipseed, Beth (Ronald )Alkire , Joseph Knapp, William (Pamela )Knapp ,13 grandchildren 18 great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, countless nieces, nephews and friends.

Gerard was born in Rochester New York in 1926. He attended Edison Tech high school. After high school he enlisted in the US Navy during World War II, where he served honorably in the European and American naval theaters.

After being discharged from the Navy, he spent several years in Alaska, where he worked on several infrastructure projects.

Following Alaska, he returned to Rochester where he worked at various jobs . During this time, he also was an owner of several harness racing horses -a passion he truly enjoyed.

In 1955 Gerard was married to Joanne Eckrich and moved to Webster, New York where he and Joanne raised seven children on a farm while he also worked at Xerox corporation.

Gerard was an avid supporter of the special Olympics and loved to have their son Joe’s classmates come to the farm.

He was a devout Catholic and parishioner at Saint Mary’s of the Lake Church and made a yearly novena to Saint Ann’s Church in Quebec, Canada for 50 years.

Upon retiring from Xerox Corporation, Gerard and Joanne moved to Port Bay, New York, where they enjoyed living on the water while spending their winters in Florida.

Later in his life, he moved to Ontario, New York where he continued to spend memorable moments with his family.

Gerard will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

A catholic mass and celebration of his life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to :

St. Mary’s of the Lake Church

5823 Walworth Rd.

Ontario, NY 14519

Please write checks to :

"Saint Maximilian Kolbe/St.Mary’s Church " and write in the memo section “Donation for Gerard Knapp”