Craig J. McKnight

He was born Oct. 31, 1956, in New Haven, Conn., the son of William F. and Joan M. Schuetz McKnight.

He graduated in 1974 from Old Saybrook High School in Connecticut. Craig was active in many school sports, plays and extracurricular activities.

Craig was previously employed with UPS for 20 years as both a package car driver and tractor trailer driver before his retirement in 2005, taking his CB handle “Coyote” with him. Prior to UPS, he worked for Amtrack doing track repair.

He married the former Stephanie Byers Heller on June 4, 1993, at their home in Old Lyme, Conn. In their 24 years of marriage, they traveled extensively, much of it in their RV, along with many trips to Aruba.

Craig loved being on the golf course and sought them out during his travels. He loved boxing, high school to heavyweight. In his lifetime, he saw his beloved Boston Red Sox win three World Series and New England Patriots win five NFL Championships.

He was a passionate blues fan and traveled from Vegas to Florida to attend blues festivals. At the 2017 Canton Blues Festival, he got to see one of his favorite singers, Robben Ford and marveled at Damon Fowler’s talent. He saw Joe Bonamassa, very early in his career, at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den and was so moved by his talent, he followed his career thereafter.

Craig deeply loved his family and friends. He touched many lives. He would stop and help a stranger in need without a second thought. His faith in God was his strength through his worst suffering. He celebrated 27 years of sobriety and is credited for assisting many others enter and maintain their journey of sobriety.

Besides his wife, Craig is survived by his father, William McKnight of Florida; his daughter, Alicia McKnight of Florida; his son, Matthew Heller of Connecticut; his sister, Tracee McKnight and her son, Will of Tennessee; two grandsons, Matty and Charlie of Connecticut; father-in-law, Wiley Byers of Ohio; his beloved Westie, Stuart; eight brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; 22 nieces and nephews; and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews by marriage.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joan McKnight of Florida; his brother, Guy McKnight of Connecticut; his aunt, Jean Schuetz of Florida; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Byers of Ohio; his brother-in-law, Victor Byers of Ohio; and his sister-in-law, Lynn Britton of Ohio.

A private memorial service was held Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, at Avalon Creek, as loving family and friends gathered to share their memories of Craig’s impact on each of their lives.

Anyone wishing to make an expression of memorial in Craig’s name can do so as a charitable contribution to the Hospice House, 9803 Sharrot Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44514.

Arrangements for Mr. Mcknight have been provided by the Carl W. Hall Funeral home, 533 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio

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