Alexander W. Knod, age 81, a 51-year resident of Woburn, formerly of Newton, passed away on July 29, 2016. He was the beloved partner of Darilyn Arancio.
Alex was born, raised and educated in Newton, MA. He has held many jobs, his most memorable was working for Time magazine. His current job was with Bomaco LLC of Fitchburg, a small automobile tire and part warehouse company.
Al loved the outdoors, and spent lots of time there at the suggestion of his doctors when he was suffering from childhood asthma. As a result, he became active volunteering for the MA Angler Education Program. He also enjoyed his "side" job as a City of Woburn Crossing Guard, where he enjoyed crossing the children and conversing with their parents.
The following is a tribute from James Lagacy, Program Coordinator of the MA Angler Education Program, Mass Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581, 508-389-6309:
"Al came into the program several years before I was coordinator and was the best program salesman you could ever ask for. He wasn’t always the best classroom instructor, as he was good at getting others to do that skill, but he sure could sell the program and was so proud to be a part of it. Al’s strengths were in sales and not only promoting the program wherever he could but in getting things the program desperately needed, like fishing equipment, program shirts, and caps, giveaways for our many festivals, trips as raffle prizes, and even coffee and donuts for events. That was Al, always out there and never afraid to ask. He used to tell me “I’ll keep asking till they throw me out, or give us what we need”. Al was especially fond of doing our fishing classes and family fishing festivals, in fact our annual Horn Pond and Spot Pond family fishing festivals were two of the programs he had a huge role in starting and promoting. Al was a great all-around and guy and a good friend to me and the program. He will be sorely missed by everyone he touched over the years. Rest in peace, Al. You deserve it, buddy."
In addition to Darilyn, he is survived by his children: Denise Hegarty and husband Jack of FL and Darlene Donovan of Haverhill. He is further survived by two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Wed., August 3 at 9AM, followed by a Funeral Service in the funeral home at 10AM. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex’s memory may be made to the MA Angler Education Program, at the address listed above.