Obituary of Jackson W. Knowlton

Jackson W. "Jack" Knowlton, 81, of Lakewood, NY, passed away at 7:25 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023, in his home surrounded by his loving family, following a brief illness. A lifelong area resident, he was born June 3, 1941, in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late Herman L. and Elizabeth Pope Knowlton. Jack was a 1960 graduate of Southwestern Central School and a 1962 graduate of Northrup Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA. Before his retirement, Jack was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years, working as a letter carrier covering the Lakewood community. In earlier years he had worked for the Jamestown Burial Vault Company and the Coverall Service and Supply Company. For the past 30 years he has been the sexton for several local cemeteries in the Town of North Harmony and the Town of Busti. Jack was a 60-year decorated member of the Lakewood Fire Department joining on December 6, 1962. Over the years he has served as Fire Chief for 10 years, Assistant Chief for 6 years, President for 10 years and was Deputy County Fire Coordinator, 3rd Battalion for 22 years. He joined the Chautauqua County Fire Chief's Association in 1970 and served as President in 2011 and joined the New York State Association of Fire Chief's in 1970. He was a member and past chairman of the Chautauqua County Fire Advisory Board and served as an instructor for the Chautauqua County Heavy Rescue Skills Course for 10 years as a certified New York State Fire Instructor. In 1965, he saved the life of a 10-month-old baby, in 1972, he was credited with saving the life of a child in Lakewood and in 1978, with the help of another firefighter, saved the life of a women from another house fire. In 2018 the Lakewood Fire Department dedicated a new training facility in his name for his countless years of dedication to the department. Jack enjoyed being a mentor to numerous firefighters over the years. He embodied the definition of dedication answering more than 13, 400 alarm responses at the time of his passing. He was a member of the Lakewood Memorial Post 1286, American Legion, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the War Vets Recreation Club, and the Moose Lodge. He will be remembered as an avid sports fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He enjoyed being a member of the Browns Backers Club of Jamestown. He also loved spending time with his wife and family. Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy A. Gardiner Knowlton, whom he married December 3, 1960, his three daughters, Connie (Dan) Mason of Sunrise, FL, Cindy Knowlton, Cathy (Ted) Card both of Jamestown, NY, nine grandchildren, Vicki, Becky, Mel, Meg, Kayla Cole, Katie Rosie, Chad, Shawn, Brett, 13 great grandchildren, Liam, Austin, Char, Jackson, Mason, Weston, Hudson, Blake, Landon, Aiden, AvaLynn, Jameson (Whiskey), Greyson, a brother, Ted (Diane) Knowlton of FL, a sister, Betty Jo Wilbur of FL, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Knowlton Chamberlin. The funeral will be held at 11 am Saturday, March 18, 2023, in the Lind Funeral Home. Members of the Chautauqua County Fire Service will officiate. Burial will be in the Bentley-Lakewood Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Friday, March 17, 2023, and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Lakewood Fire Department, 37 JW Packard Way, Lakewood, NY 14750 or to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750.