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Thomas Knack

District Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Posted 5/17/24

Thomas R. Knack, lately of Albany, OR and formerly of Jeffersonville, N.Y. and Naples, FL, passed away at 86 years of age on April 28, 2024 after a year-long illness. Tom was born in Callicoon, NY in …

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Thomas Knack

District Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Posted

Thomas R. Knack, lately of Albany, OR and formerly of Jeffersonville, N.Y. and Naples, FL, passed away at 86 years of age on April 28, 2024 after a year-long illness. Tom was born in Callicoon, NY in 1937 to Raymond and Julia Knack, the second of two sons. He graduated from SUNY Morrisville in 1957 with a degree in Applied Science (Agriculture) and retired from his position as a District Director for the United States Department of Agriculture after 30 years of service championing the needs of local farmers. Tom married Adriana (Audrey) De Vos in 1964, and they enjoyed nearly 60 happy years together, raising their family, traveling extensively throughout the United States, and cruising the Caribbean and Alaska. They retired to Naples, FL, where they lived for 21 years before relocating to Albany, OR several years ago. Tom was a longtime member of the Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Dept., St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Callicoon Center, and the Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church in New York. He and Adriana were active in the Celebration Community Beach Church in Naples, FL.

Tom was a devoted husband, father and friend. He was well known by all who came in contact with him for his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and for always being ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was active in his community through volunteer work, and was an accomplished gardener who loved to work in his beautiful yard. Gregarious and genuinely interested in other people, Tom made friends and acquaintances wherever he went. He will be greatly missed.

Tom is survived by his wife, Adriana, daughters Deborah Jones of Plano, TX, Lauralyn Roullier of Corvallis, OR, Susan Benvenuto of Bonita Springs, FL, and Jennifer Knack of Albany, OR, as well as four grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Life will be held at a place and time in the future, as decided by the family. The family would like to thank Evergreen Hospice of Albany, OR for their immensely kind and professional care during Tom’s final days. Memorial contributions can be made in Tom’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

There is no funeral at this time as he was cremated.