Francis R. "Rick" Knightly

HOLYOKE

Francis Richard “Rick” Knightly, Jr., age 66, of Holyoke, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center after a brief illness.  He was born in Holyoke, son of the late Francis R. and Margaret J. (Guz) Knightly. Rick was educated in Holyoke Schools and served with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.  He served the City of Holyoke as a Firefighter for 32 years, retiring in 2013.  Rick was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church, a longtime member of the Holyoke Lodge of Elks #902 and the American Legion Post 325. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing and watching hockey at all levels.  Rick is survived by his wife, Patricia A. “Patti” (Hellyar) Knightly of Holyoke, two daughters; Shannon Burke and her husband Brian of Westfield and Shelley Dowland and her husband Joseph of Holyoke; six grandchildren:  Emily Ann, Brennen, Aidan, Audrey, Chloe and Parker; a brother, Sean Knightly and his wife Cindy of Granby and a sister, Lori Ann (Knightly) Joaquim of South Hadley as well as several nieces and nephews and the mother of his children, Debra (Tudryn) Knightly. The Funeral will be held Thursday February 27^th at 8:30am. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, at 9:30am. Committal with Military Honors will take place at 11:00am in the Chapel of The Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam.  Calling hours will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Dana Farber, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.

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