Obituary of George E. Knauss

George Ernest Knauss

October 25th 1963 - June 29th 2021

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of George Knauss announce his passing on the 29th of June, 2021. He was 57 years old.

Born October 25th, 1963, he was the youngest of three children born to Gordon and Helen Knauss (née Steinard). He is predeceased by both his parents, Gordon in 1994, and Helen in 2015. He is survived by his son James, of Rhode Island, his daughter Sarah Brittain of Poughkeepsie, NY, two grandsons, Dean and Reid, his daughter in law Heather, his son in law Alex Brittain, his sister Karen Gioia of Hyde Park, NY, his brother Raymond, of Wappingers Falls, NY, his ex wife Carmella Ciullo of Poughkeepsie, NY, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

George grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was a skilled baseball player, playing for many years. He was a 1981 graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School. He briefly attended college, only to begin his electrical apprenticeship shortly thereafter.

George worked for many years as an electrician, with his final position being a Lineman at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, handling any and all electrical needs in the terminal's vast expanse. 

On October 11th, 1986 George married Carmella Ciullo at St. Martin de Porres church in Poughkeepsie. Together they had two children, James and Sarah, and raised their family in Red Oaks Mill.

George had what he liked to call an “encyclopedic knowledge” of classic rock music- and it truly was. He could tell you every detail about any song played on 101.5 WPDH down to when it was released, recording personnel, background trivia, techniques used, and more. These moments served up many treasured memories with those close to him. He was a musician himself, playing the bass guitar for a period of time in his younger days.

George was probably best known for his signature dry sense of humor. Always good for a laugh, he delighted friends, family, and colleagues with his corny one liners and dad jokes.

George will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, funny, intelligent gentleman who was an incredibly decent person who never meant any harm. We will all miss him so much.

Calling hours were Wednesday July 7th, 2021 from 5pm to 7pm at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home in Wappingers Falls NY.

“I’m here for a good time, not a long one”