John F. Knaus, Jr.

John F. "Jack" Knaus, Jr., 83, of New Britain, husband of Barbara (Gehrmann) Knaus, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at home. Born in New Britain, he was the son of the late John F. Knaus, Sr. and Pauline (Ruck) Knaus. Jack was a former Kensington resident before moving to New Britain in 1985. He graduated from Newington High School in 1946, and served as Class President. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean War. Jack was a well known builder of many homes in the New Britain, Berlin, Plainville, and Newington areas working with his father, brother and nephew at the John F. Knaus and Sons Builders and the Knaus Building Company before retiring. Jack was well known for his generosity with many civic organizations. He was a Corporator of the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain, a member of the Sequin Masonic Lodge in Newington, the Sphinx Temple Shrine and Temple Guard, the Donau Club, a former member the Newington Volunteer Fire Department for many years, and was a member of Kensington Congregational Church. Jack loved boats, sailing , family vacations and gatherings at Oak Grove Beach. He truly enjoyed life and lived every day to the fullest. "BE GOOD" Jack is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara; three daughters, Linda Drago and her husband Stephen, Carole Capodiece and her husband James, and Patti Byrnes; his former son-in-law Michael Byrnes; six grandchildren, Russell Drago and his wife Ashley, Daniel Drago and his wife Jenn, Kim Bennett and her husband Stephen, Cari McKee and her husband Robert, Sarah Byrnes and Kelly Byrnes; seven great grandchildren; a brother Robert Knaus and his wife Janet; his step mother, Johanna (Miller) Knaus; a niece and two nephews; and his beloved dog Yanci. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Avenue, Kensington, CT 06037. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours are Thursday, from 4-7 PM with a Masonic service at 7:00 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., New Britain. Memorial donations may be made to Kensington Congregational Church, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.