Thomas E. Knight 1937-2021

He was born in 1937 in Youngstown to Mary and Fred Knight. Tom joins his brother, Bob, in heaven and is survived by his brother, Fred, who currently resides in Cortland.

Graduating from Youngstown University, Tom went on to teach history at Tallmadge High School before leaving the profession to work in sales for Proctor & Gamble. He then pivoted his career to an education sales position at such publishing companies as Houghton Mifflin, Macmillan and Scott Foresman. For 30-plus years, Tom sold textbooks to schools across the country.

Upon retiring, Tom took a part-time job at the Temecula Valley Golf Course. Let’s be honest, he did it for the free golf and fun times golfing with friends.

Tom loved playing slot machines at the local casinos and in Las Vegas and always had a good time. He just loved the fun of it all. Tom had an ever-present positivity and a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful dinner guest and a true friend.

To know Tom, one must know Rosalie Messina Knight. His wife of 58 years, Rose and Tom were always by each other’s side. They loved traveling together, especially their trips to Italy and Alaska. Their social calendar was always filled with activities from bowling to Card Club to Italian Club to The Knights of Columbus.

Tom was English but became an honorary Italian when he married Rosalie. They had two children together, Tom Jr. and Laura. Tom Jr. resides on Hilton Head Island, S.C., with his wife, Kelly, and three daughters, Emma, Chloe and Sadie. Laura, her husband, David, and daughter, Sunday, live in Marina del Rey, Calif.

Tom adored being a grandfather, beginning most phone calls with a silly joke to the amusement of his granddaughters, who will miss him terribly. He was truly loved by all that knew him.

There will be a Mass and celebration of Tom’s Life at a luncheon reception on Nov. 15, 2021, in Temecula, Calif.

(special notice)