Wilfried R. Knaak, a resident of Sherman, CT for over 58 years, passed away May 11, 2022 in Madison, CT, just shy of his 90th birthday.
Willy (as he is known by his friends and family) was born in Rummelsburg, Pommern, Germany on June 20, 1932 to Robert and Frida (Blasing) Knaak. He grew up in Germany and attended a trade school in Berlin. From Germany he moved to Canada and then to the United States where he lived in the Bronx and Manhattan. In 1962 he met Sieglinde, who was known as Linda, and they were married on July 15, 1965. Linda passed away on July 11, 2011.
While in Germany, Willy was an advocate for the rowing sport known as sculling. He also enjoyed boxing and was proud to have met Max Schnelling and Sugar Ray Robinson. Willy worked for Holman, Inc in Danbury, CT for over 30 years in the heating and air conditioning trade.
Willy and Linda enjoyed a great passion for travel and after their wedding traveled around the world to five continents on an eleven-week honeymoon. Their favorite spots were Cambodia and Nepal. They built the house in Sherman together and moved there in 1968. They enjoyed spending time with their family on Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake.
Willy was on the Sherman Republican Town Committee as well as the Planning & Zoning Board for a total of 26 years. He was also a member of the Sherman Church.
He is survived by his son Michael Knaak (and wife Chris) of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Susanne Brandt (and husband Thomas) of Stamford, CT and Heidi Rogers (and husband Howard) of Madison, CT; his sister Brigitte Esqueu of Emerson, NJ; and six grandchildren, Misha Knaak, Stas Knaak and Monica Knaak and Elizabeth Rogers, Caroline Rogers and Maria Rogers.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 21st at 1pm at the Sherman Church. The wearing of a mask is strongly recommended.
Donations can be made to the Sherman Church Book of Remembrance in memory of Wilfried Knaak.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY.
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