John David McKnight, 67, of North Haven, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his home. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia on May 3, 1956, and was the son of Donald and Betty Core McKnight. In 1970 John began his career working for McDonald’s in Newington. After 28 years working his way up in the franchise John and Pattie became the owners and operators of their first McDonald’s in North Haven. He dedicated over 20 years as a hands-on owner, wholeheartedly devoting his time to the restaurant’s success until retiring after his 50th anniversary with the company in December of 2020. During that time John became a board member of the Ronald McDonald House and McDonald’s supply chain for over 23 years. Even after retiring John remained very involved not only with McDonald’s and in the North Haven community but also with St. John’s association where he lived and made himself available for friends and family whenever they need his help. However, his most important new job title after his retirement was being Poppie to his two beautiful granddaughters who he loved unconditionally; whether he was driving them to and from school or going on a shopping adventure, spending time with them meant the world to him. John will be remembered by all who knew him for the difference he was able to make in all their lives. He will be missed but never forgotten. Beloved father of Don McKnight and Laura (McKnight) Snyder and her husband Jeff. Survived by his former wife Pattie McKnight. Loving Poppie of Aubrey Diane and Leah Louise Snyder. Brother of Cathy McKnight Bitterman (Michael) and Michael McKnight (Patricia Barrett).
The visiting hours will be on Saturday, January 20th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date. The family requests all flowers to be omitted and memorial contributions be made in John’s name to Ronald McDonald House, 860 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519 or by visiting their website at www.rmhc-ctma.org for the CT expansion campaign.
John was truly the kindest and most generous individual one could know. He always found happiness in helping others . Still hard to believe he is no longer with us. Will truly miss my good friend and neighbor.
My deepest condolences to the entire McKnight, Synder and Bitterman family.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Elizabeth and Milton Negron
John and I go back to the early days of McDonalds where we worked together with Don & Betty his parents. John was a Good Man. Rest in peace.🍔🍟🥤
John’s presence will always be ever present. He was a gentlemen’s gentleman. Thank you for all you have done for so many. Rest in peace my dear friend.
My first McDonald’s training was with John’s father Don in West Hartford in 1970 owned by Taylor Management
John and his father were First Class and inspired me for my over fifty year McDonald’s career
My Condolences to John’s family, I will remember John in my Prayers.
So sorry for your loss of such a great man. John was the nicest most respectful and caring person you could ever meet. I’m in total shock and can’t believe he’s gone. I really loved John. He was always so good to me. Sorry I can’t be there to console you but my husband and I are in Florida. My son who use to work with John and Pattie sent me his obituary. My daughter Donna worked for them too. They lived both John and Pattie. My prayers are with the whole family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥲🥲🥲
I am heartbroken. John was a kind and generous man. We could never have built our community playscape without him. He always put kids first! Rest in peace, John. You will be missed. Until we meet again…
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all family and friends. We are away for the visitation but please know you will be in our thoughts. RIP John 🙏🙏
I am sending prayers of strength to the McKnight Family. John was a kind and generous man who always put kids first. We could never have built our community playscape without his support. I feel fortunate to have spoken to him last month when we reminisced about Project: P.L.A.Y. I am a better person for having known him. Rest in peace, John. Until we meet again…
We are so sorry for your loss. May the memories you all made with him carry you through.
A parent is never supposed to have to bury their child. We are beyond belief about the loss of our oldest son, John. He was so kind, compassionate, caring and his goal is life was to take care of those little granddaughters. May he rest in peace and watch over all of us. We love you John.
Forever,
Mom and Dad
He is a gentle soul May he rest in peace. He was such a wonderful humble man. He was so generous when I worked for the Catholic Church here in North Haven. All you had to do is ask and he gave , what a wonderful man. He now rests with God in heaven.
I was saddened to here of John’s passing he was truly a gentleman I work at the north haven post office and he would always come in cheerful and give us coupons a really nice man May JESUS have mercy on you Johnny God Blessings to your family
John was a wonderful man who knew the importance of kindness. I will remember him for his warmth, friendliness and charity.
I wish I could say a billion beautiful things to each of you to let you know how deeply sorry I am for your tremendous loss
John was one of a kind ..A true gentleman teacher guide and friend
I am sad to say I haven’t seen you all since my days at mcds years ago
However what I can say is that many of the important life lessons I’ve learned and carry with me always I learned from my days working for John and McKnight enterprises McDonalds
It would take me days to write them all down
But I think my favorite memory is this one ..
Patti and John were married then and both brilliant mentors to all of us
Patti had come into the store frantically because she somehow lost her wedding ring on the highway somewhere between the RonaldMcDonald house (where they both donated so much of their time ) and the store
To keep it short …Hours later John arrived back from where he had been searching for hours up and down H95 (ring in hand) Patti in sheer bliss to share the story with us all
I think for me that sums up in one story (although there are many) to what kind of kind beautiful human he was and to how much love he had for his family
John McKnight you will be missed by many
My love my prayers my heart and my deepest deepest condolences are with each of you today and throughout this difficult time 💔🌸♥️
Mr. McKnight was the best and kindest of men. Always with a smile, always with a kind word, always with a hug. He was so sweet. He was a born helper; he contributed beyond measure to the people of North Haven, in any and all ways he could. I ran into him recently, and he was as jolly and sweet as ever. I really cannot believe that he has passed. What a great man. Rest in Peace Mr. McKnight. Your memory will live on. Prayers and love to his family, at this difficult time.
It was a privilege to have John as a close neighbor and an unbelievable friend. Having the biggest heart and so well-loved by many, he was always kind, compassionate, generous and never hesitated to help others and all of this without any expectations. I will never forget this one-of-a-kind man and he will truly be missed. My sincerest condolences to the family and may he rest in peace.
We became friends with the McKnights when Tony started at McDonald’s West Hartford with Don in 1971. A few years later, John worked with Tony. Even in those early days John showed he was truly a McDonald’s loyalist who knew how things should be done. After our retirement and move to SC, we were thrilled when on a visit back to CT, he gave us a tour of how things had changed in the kitchen area. Truly amazing! He was always welcoming with a smile and loved to bragg about his employees. We will miss him at McKnight family gatherings. We send much love to his family, friends, and to all whose life he touched.
John was a generous and kind man – who has contributed so much to the St. John’s community. His generosity will always be remembered – he was always willing to give wherever needed. We are so lucky to have had him as a neighbor, who took the time to look out for all of us. I send sincere condolences to John’s family in this very difficult time.
Bob Ferraro
John was a gentleman and a friend to all. His generosity to the North Haven Rotary club will never be forgotten. His community service was a gift to all in our town
John, may you rest in peace. You were a true gentleman and neighbor. Always willing to lend a helping hand and give good advice. You have left this world suddenly, but with a complete fulfillment of a wonderful, living and loving life. God bless and condolences to your entire family. You will truly be missed. Carl Kinell.
I am so saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was such a kind and generous person, always going out of his way to help others. I enjoyed his smile, sense of humor and sarcasm. He always made my laugh. My condolences to his entire family.
Our deepest condolences! John was one the sweetest, most generous human we have ever met. Always a friendly hello to our daughters at McDonald’s and a warm greeting from a family friend. Our prayers are with his entire family.
This is very sad. John was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He was so cheerful every morning at McDonald’s. My sympathies to his family.
My deepest condolences to the entire family. John was a kind and compassionate man. Always a friendly hello and what can he do to help. I will remember him fondly from our days at the Ronald McDonald house board meetings and gatherings. My thoughts are with you all.
My deepest sympathy to Betty and Don and to the entire McKnight family. John was a wonderful man and a privilege to know and work with him. A first class man. May he be at peace. My prayers to his family and he will live forever in our hearts.
I’m am so very sad to hear this. I Icomplemented John a few times on how clean the restuarant always was. A few occasions he slipped me a note asking if it was ok to give my kids chocolate chip cookies. He was such a nice person and did a lot for the community! God bless!!
The North Haven community has lost a kind, generous and humble gentleman in John McKnight. He was always willing to help many organizations in our town especially those that helped children. We are so sad to think that he is gone. He was a wonderful example of civic responsibility, pride in our town and in the McDonald’s organization. May God bless you John and welcome you home.
Back in the late 1970s I worked at McDonalds with several of my high school friends. John was our manager and mentor for all of us. 45 years later and we still remember his kindness. We were a fortunate bunch to know John in our teen years. We knew it then…and now we treasure the impact he had on our lives.
My deepest sympathy to all of John’s family. He was a special and kind person. May John’s family and friends remember that all love given and received is never lost.
This is a very sad day. I first met Don and Betty Mcknight some 50 years ago in West Hartford Ct McDonald’s touring with Ed Acre.
It was impressive to say the least. Years later I witnessed the same passion and commitment in John. John was consistently polishing the Arches. I always walked away with learning something new. Some wonderful memories. John is someone you wish would live forever. He was a giver. He not only brightened my day, but so many others. Gone too soon. God bless John McKnight.
My deepest condolences to the McKnight family. The McDonald’s family lost a great member and person I truly. My father always had the best things to say about John and Pattie and when my dad passed John was one of my biggest advocates and never asked or expected anything in return. I really hope you rest in peace my friend.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing.
Many good memories of John in Newington High.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Rest in peace John.🙏