Thorning D. “Knighty” Knight Obituary (1931

Thorning D. Knighty Knight, 93, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Joanne (Lewis) Knight with whom he shared 64 years of marriage until her passing in 2021. He was born in Waltham on November 13, 1931, and was the son of the late Calvin & Eunice Knight. Thorning was raised in Waltham then moved to Hollis, NH in 1937. He then moved and graduated from Miami Technical High School in 1950. Thorning enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 until 1955. After leaving the military and moving to Waltham, he met the love of his life, Joanne. They moved to Chelmsford where they raised their children. He was employed as a security guard for a couple of years at Raytheon before changing to his lifelong career with the United States Postal Service in Chelmsford until he retired. After retiring he worked for Feeney Florist then A Floral Moment in Chelmsford where he became good friends with Judy Burke and the staff. His second love, besides his wife, was his garden, where he loved to share his vegetables, wherever he went. In addition to gardening, he loved to go apple, strawberry and blueberry picking. On Fridays you could always find him playing cards with his buddies. Thorning also loved to travel, with Hawaii being one of his favorite destinations. Thorning leaves his children; Judith Philbrick and her husband Roy, Sr. of Tyngsborough, James T. Knight of Pelham, NH, and Jean Tibbetts and her husband Jim of Dunstable. He was the loving Pops" to his grandchildren; Roy Waine Philbrick, Jr. and his wife Rebecca, Renae Deschenes-Desmond and her husband Conor, Nicole Ray and her husband Mike, and Delaney Tibbetts and her husband Kurtis Wells and his 10 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his siblings Robert Knight and his wife Franny of Windham, NH and Marie Figenbaum of Bedford, along with his two sisters-in-law: Mary Procaccino & Sharon Wege and a brother-in-law, Walter Lewis along with many loving nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 10 am 12 noon at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 12 noon following the visitation. A celebration of Thornings life will be held after the service at the Princeton Station, 147 Princeton Street, North Chelmsford. Memorial donations may be made in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project. Service Details Visitation When April 9, 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm Location Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home Address 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Funeral Service When April 9, 2025 12:00pm Location Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home Address 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824