Roy A. Knott, 85, of Methuen, MA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 13 at his home.
Roy was born in Vance County, NC November 28, 1926 where he lived until he joined the Navy in 1944 to serve his country in WWII. He would leave the service at the end of the war as Gunner’s Mate, Third Class V-6.
When the war ended he traveled to Boston. He became a door to door salesman selling magazines. At one lucky door he knocked upon, he met the love of his life Shirley whom he married a year later. Roy and Shirley moved to Melrose, MA and started their family.
Over the years Roy would continue selling magazines and also was a milkman and a janitor to help support his growing family of six. His passion for selling served him well as he joined New England Telephone in the 1960’s as a Directory Advertising Salesman. He went on to become one of their best salesmen and was promoted to Sales Manager where he led his team to the top. After a successful career in management he returned to his passion of sales where he would remain until his retirement in 1986. Roy’s career path brought him throughout New England; living in Andover, MA, Candia, NH, Cumberland Foreside, ME and finally Methuen, MA where he would live for over 40 years.
Roy had a love of life like no other and lived his life to the fullest. He loved to boast of being one of the original members at Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA. Golf was one of his passions and he played it well. During his prime he had a handicap of four. “Lefty” as he was known by his golfing buddies was on the amateur tour and would continue to play throughout the years.
Roy was always very active in his community from working with The Quannapowitt Players of Reading, MA to becoming the first President of the Lions Club of Candia, NH which he and community members started in 1969. He prided himself on the fact that he had to write ten resignation letters when he moved his family from Melrose to Andover as, at the time, he served on many Boards; from the YMCA to the First United Methodist Church.
At 70 years old he took what he considered “the trip of his lifetime” and whitewater rafted 280 miles down the Grand Canyon.
Brown’s Wharf in Boothbay Harbor, ME became on of his favorite places to travel; Roy and Shirley spent their anniversary’s there for 34 years.
Roy’s family was most important to him. His strength and generosity was ever present.
Roy leaves his sons Stephen R. Knott and his wife Terry, Ronald W. Knott and his wife Diane, Gary A, Knott and his wife Susan as well as his daughter Deborah J. Jones. He also leaves seven grandchildren and their families Kelly and Chris Cote, Lisa and Will Plourde, Daniel and Leigh-ann Knott, Jayson and Jessica Knott, Erin and Josh Beardsley, Curtis Knott and Stephen Knott as well as two honorary family members Naomi Stock and Jason Falardeau. He was the proud great-grandfather of twelve and brother to Sidney A. Knott, brother-in-law to Nancy Webster Tondreau and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years Shirley Webster Knott and his brothers Arthur Knott, Leonard Knott, Richard Knott and his sisters Emma Blake and Elsie Hawkins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands, Inc., P.O. Box 760863. Melrose, MA 02176. www.theweberfoundation.com
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Roy’s life and family visitation on Tuesday, June 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Conte Funeral Home, 28 Florence Street, Andover, MA.
165 North Lowell St.