James A. Knowlton, 71, life-long Lawrence native, passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2011 after a period of declining health.
James was born on July 27, 1939 to Eileen C.(Cullinan) and Clarence A. Knowlton. As a youth, he attended local Lawrence schools, St. Patrick's Grammar School and Lawrence High School. He was a disabled veteran of the U.S. Navy. After retiring from the Navy, James was employed in the trucking industry, most notably 25 years at TransGas in Lowell as a tractor trailer driver. He was a member of Teamsters Local 49.
James was active in Masonic organizations. He was a member of United Lodge of Lawrence, a 32nd Degree with the Scottish Rite Bodies of Lowell, Knight Templar of the York Rite Commandry of Haverhill and a life member of the Aleppo Shriner’s Temple. He was also a member of the Oriental band.
He leaves his loving wife of 51 years, Carol R. (Thibault) Knowlton of Lawrence and his four children, Eileen C. O’Donnell and her husband, Michael, of Exeter, NH, James A. Knowlton Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Lawrence, Deborah A. McLaughlin and her husband Mark of Salisbury, MA and Kimberly A. Knowlton and her companion Jeffrey Chaisson of Amesbury, MA. He leaves nine grandchildren; Edward, Katie, Michael and Mary O’Donnell; Brittany and Ian McLaughlin; Amy Laoisa and her husband Joseph, Howard and Ryan Hart. He has one great grandchild, Daniel. He was predeceased by his grandson, Stephan Knowlton. James leaves his brother, John C. Knowlton and his wife Vera of Rochester, NH, and several aunts including Jean Knowlton of Malden and Rita Cullinan of Lawrence and several cousins including Joseph Powierza of Lawrence as well as other nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the Merrimack Valley Hospice in Haverhill for their care and tenderness shown.
His pastimes include canoeing, motorcycles and raising bull-dogs and mastiffs. In particular, he will be missed by "Big Red", his English mastiff at home.
Friends are invited to call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011 at the Arthur J. Scott Funeral Home, 298 South Broadway, Lawrence. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday at 11 am at St. Patrick’s Church, Lawrence. Burial will follow at Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830. For directions or to make an online condolence, please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com.