STORMVILLE - Lewis T. Knapp, 93, died peacefully at home on February 14, 2022. He was a lifelong resident East Fishkill.

Born at his home in Fishkill Plains on February 15, 1928, Lew was the son of the late Thomas and Ethel (Velie) Knapp.

After school, Lew worked on the Knapp family farm and Emmadine Farms in Hopewell Junction gaining valuable knowledge in the business of farming. In 1948 Lew went to work at Mattewan State Hospital as a farmer. He left his job there and enlisted in the Army to serve his country in Korea. He served from 1950 until 1952 in the 45th Infantry Division, 180th Infantry, Medical Company and rose to the rank of Staff Sgt. Upon returning home, Lew married Doris "Pat" Dyer on October 25, 1952 at the New Hackensack Reformed Church. Pat predeceased Lew on March 29th, 2007 after 55 years of marriage.

Lew began work at Green Haven Correctional Facility in 1952. He continued there as head farmer and farm manager until his retirement in 1988. In 1948, Lew began his fire department career at Hopewell Hose Co. He transferred to the Stormville Fire Company in 1952. During his career with the fire service, he served as Asst Chief, District Chief, Fire Commissioner and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Lew was also a charter member of the East Fishkill Rescue Squad and was involved with purchasing their first ambulance. He is a Life Member of the Stormville Fire Company.

In his "spare" time, Lew enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and raising coon hounds. As a family we all enjoyed camping and the week at the Dutchess County Fair showing cows and dairy goats. Lew and Pat took many camping trips to Maine and Nova Scotia with friends and "grandchildren".

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Suzanne (Robert) Stanford of Guyton, GA, Lewis (Robin) Knapp, Jr. of Stormville, Wendy Morris of Sussex, NJ, and James Moore of Dover Plains; his son-in-law, John DeForest of Stormville; his grandchildren, Kenneth Knapp, Michael Morris, Jennifer DeForest and her companion James Lawrence, David Seymour, Jr., Thomas Knapp, Carson Morris, Daniel (Hannah) Knapp, Shane (Kristy) Morris, Ryan Knapp, Tyler Knapp and his companion Katelin Spinelli, and Kari Fletcher; his great-grandchildren, Cassandra Knapp, Thomas Knapp Jr., Makenna Seymour, Braeden Seymour, Jenna Lawrence, Justin Lawrence, Jason Lawrence, Kayleigh Knapp, Dylan Morris, Kyliana Morris, Oliva Rose Morris; his step great-grandchildren, Andrew Stephens, Dalton Stephens, Ethan Fletcher; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Lew was predeceased by his daughter, Nancy Louise DeForest on February 16, 2007; his companion, Jeanne Keppel, on November 2019; his siblings, Mildred Lund Martin, Evelyn Jennings, James A. Knapp, and Franklin V. Knapp.

Graveside service will be on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 11:00 am at Beekman Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at Knapp Farm.

Donations may be made in Lew's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hudson Valley Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. Please visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.