Roger Wayne “The Mayor” Knapp

He was born on July 8, 1955, the son of Frank and Izora VanArsdale Knapp. He was the namesake of the Rev. Roger Morey.

He was baptized a member of Weidler Memorial Methodist Church where his entire family attended and mother played the organ for 35 years and taught Sunday school. He currently was a resident of the Foote Avenue facility of the Resource Center. Roger passed peacefully after an extended illness Roger was a man who loved people and children unconditionally.

He was well known and loved throughout all parts of the community. He enjoyed Special Olympics especially roller skating, bowling, softball, basketball and golf. Mostly Roger loved playing guitar and singing. Roger could often be seen on stage with the bands Out of the Blue and Guitar Mageddon, playing and singing.

Roger was a caring and compassionate man. He would greet you with lots of love and a hug. Although he had an eye for pretty girls. He liked chasing the girls at C5. He thought they were the cat’s meow.

He was an honorary member of the Red Rockers, Woodard Warriors, and flag football teams. He will be missed deeply. He lived the best of his life ever possible, living with Joe and Mary Lynch and their family in Kennedy, N.Y. Roger had the best of care and shared his life with them from September 1993 until March 2014.

To the Lunch family. We as sisters and our dear departed mother, couldn’t have asked for a more trusting and loving family for Roger to be with. God bless them. They loved and treated Roger as their own. He learned many, many new things. We knew he was safe and dearly provided for with the special care that was needed and that he deserved.

Roger traveled extensively about the country, visiting Universal Studios in Florida, New York City, Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Washington D.C., South Dakota, Letchworth and Niagara Falls, just to name a few. He also attended Jo Jo’s graduation in Plattsburg. His favorite was to Stony Point to visit Nana and Pop Pop, Joes Parents. His mother Izora loved his visits on holidays and in earlier years his attendance at the family reunions.

Roger will always be remembered tenderly and loved by his sisters, Cindy and Bonnie. He was blessed to be born into a huge family as well as having a second family. How wonderful is that? Lucky guy!

Roger is survived by his sisters: Cynthia Knapp of Fewsburg, and Bonnie Bush (Don Anderson) of Kiantone. He is also survived by his second family, Joseph and Mary Lynch, JoJo (Emma), Jessica, and Nico Lynch as well as Kendra Brown; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Frank on Sept. 3, 1959; mother Izora on Aug. 25, 2000; Fred Knapp on June 3, 2000; Phillip Knapp on Nov. 18, 2012; and a nephew, Bryan Knapp on May 24, 2010.

We would like to thank the Lynch family, the staff at C5 Foot Avenue Resource Center, and the nursing staff at WCA Hospital on 4D, fourth floor, for their excellent care, especially Barb who answered our questions with respect and sincere sympathy and anyone else involved in his care.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Maple Grove Cemetery, Frew Run Road, Frewsburg, where Roger will be laid next to his mother in the family plot. His nephew, Rexford Knapp will conduct the service.

A memorial luncheon will be hosted by Mary and Joe following the service at Kennedy Fire Hall, Kennedy, N.Y. Memorials may be made to the Peterson Funeral Home, 12 N. Pearl St., Frewsburg, NY 14738 to help cover expenses. Condolences may be sent to the family at pfh@ netsync.net.

A special note: Dear mom Mary, So quiet your tears for me mom Mary dear; For I am whole and hap- py here. The angles came for me, and I took my first steps into heaven today; But remember mom Mary, we are only a breath away. For at heaven’s gate I will wait for you someday. Remember me mom Mary with a smile. For it’s only for a little while. Love from heaven to Mary and Joe, Your loving boy Roger.