James Lawrence Knight, always known as Larry, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026 at the age of 74 after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy.

Larry was born in Indianapolis, IN on January 12th, 1952 to James Adelbert and Mary Elizabeth Knight. They moved to Manchester, CT in 1956 where Larry graduated from Manchester High School in 1970. He enrolled at the University of Rhode Island on a full scholarship, studying Marine Biology. He transferred to the University of Connecticut in 1971 and graduated in 1974.

At UConn, Larry lived in the infamous “Jungle” or properly known as North Campus. While doing laundry one night, he met Kathleen Scanlon. She was dressed to the nines waiting for her blind date, and had decided to do her laundry while waiting. Larry told her “If he doesn’t show up, I’ll go to dinner with you”. The blind date never showed, and they spent 2 hours talking over dinner. They later got married in 1975.

Larry held many jobs over the years, including dock master in Mystic, CT before moving to New Hampshire in 1987. He worked for Fay, Spofford and Thorndike Engineering as an Operations Specialist, specializing in the operation of wastewater treatment plants (known fondly by his children as “the stinky plant”). He held this role for 25 years, becoming involved with the Massachusetts Water Resource Association, the New England Water Environment Association, and the National Water Resource Association. He was heavily involved in the creation of Operation Challenge, considered “the Olympics of Wastewater Treatment,” and was a yearly judge at national competitions.

Larry's hobbies included playing cribbage and scrabble with family, bridging, and genealogy. In retirement, he focused on genealogy, particularly around his great grandfather Adelbert Knight. He spent countless hours working with researchers at Georgia Southern University around their work in the excavation of Camp Lawton, where Adelbert was a prisoner during the Civil War.

Larry is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathleen S. Knight of Hudson, NH, his two children: Bryan J. Knight of Westford MA and M. Kate Knight-Dupuis of Nottingham, NH; his four grandchildren: Everett, Julian, Aria, and Elise; and his brother Craig of Ellsworth, Maine.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the First Parish Congregational Church, 47 E Derry Rd., East Derry, NH from 11:30AM-4:30PM. A private burial will take place in October. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Hospice in Merrimack, NH or a donation to Mission MSA at https://missionmsa.org/. The Cremation Society of NH is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.